A Clean Slate: Get Your Natural Stone and Tile Spotless With These 10 Steps
Natural stone and tile are lovely, but maintaining them may be difficult. Natural stones
and tiles are tough to clean due to the variety of filth and stains they encounter. With
the appropriate strategy, you can keep these floors lovely every day.
No need to despair when cleaning natural stone and tile floors! We'll show you 10
simple ways to make your floors shine in this article. We cover the fundamentals, such
as which cleaners perform best on each stone, as well as more advanced methods like
how to remove water stains from slate tiles.
Get the Right Cleaning Tools
So, you’re ready to give your natural stone and tile the deep clean they need and for
that, you’ll need the right tools. To get started, you’ll need a few things:
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A broom or dust mop
A vacuum cleaner
A soft-bristled scrub brush or grout brush
pH-neutral soap (stone cleaner)
A bucket of warm water
Microfiber cloths or terry cloth towels (for drying)
White vinegar
Once you have all of these items, you’re ready to begin the deep cleaning of your stone
and tile surfaces.
Pre-Clean the Area
Before using the cleaner and scrubbing brush, clean the stone or tile. Start by using a
vacuum with a hard surface attachment to clean all cracks and crevices around the
afflicted region.
A moist cloth can remove the trash that won't vacuum up.
After that, spot-test your cleaner on an inconspicuous stone area to make sure it won't
damage it. After testing your cleaner on the surface, proceed to step three!
Remove Any Soap Scum, Rust, and Other Stains
Deep-clean your natural stone and tile. Spraying a surface with water and white vinegar
or hydrogen peroxide, waiting 15 minutes, and scrubbing with a soft-bristled brush
removes soap scum, rust, and other stains.
Use a commercial natural stone and tile cleaner for harder stains. Certain cleaning
products contain chemicals that might damage stone surfaces, so read the label before
using them.
Test any cleaner first. Don't destroy your pricey tile! (or your wallet). Clean natural stone
and tile surfaces safely.
Use Your Cleaning Scrub for Deeper Cleaning Needs
After prepping your natural stone and tile, deep clean. Use natural stone and tilespecific cleaning scrubs for this part. Chemical-based household cleaners can damage
natural stone and tile surfaces.
To properly use your cleaning scrub:
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Dilute the scrub with clean water following the instructions on the label—it will
usually say something like 1 part cleaner to 4 parts water
Apply an even layer of the diluted cleanser onto each tile or stone surface
Allow the solution to sit for 10 to 15 minutes before scrubbing – this will give it
time to work its magic
Use a soft cloth or brush with moderate pressure to gently scour each surface in
circular motions
Repeat rinsing and cleaning until all of your natural stone and tile surfaces are
spotless – you may need more than one pass!
Once your surfaces are completely clean, use a damp cloth or mop head with
clean water to rinse away any soapy residue or cleaner residue left behind
Allow all of your surfaces to dry completely before moving on
Give Extra Attention to Stubborn Areas
You're almost done, but some obstinate spots need more attention. Travertine and
other sedimentary stones may require extra effort to clean.
Here's what to do:
Soft-Bristle Brush
Grab yourself a soft-bristle brush, like a toothbrush, and use it to scrub the area with
mild detergent and warm water. Rinse with clean water and let the surface air dry.
Grit
If you're dealing with stubborn grit, like bird droppings or tree sap, sprinkle some baking
soda onto the surface first; it will absorb any grease that's stuck on your natural stone or
tile. Then use an old cloth to buff away any remaining residue.
Remove Stains
If stain removal fails, there are other methods. Use a hydrogen peroxide-baking soda
poultice (you can add a few drops of dish soap too). Apply the poultice to the stain, seal
it with plastic wrap, and let it sit overnight before washing it off in the morning.
Consider Using a Professional Grade Cleaner
Professional cleaners are the sixth step to cleaning natural stone and tile. These cleaners
can thoroughly clean your home by removing dirt and grime from the roughest surfaces.
Professional cleaners are designed to be safe for natural stone and tile surfaces.
You can use a professional grade cleaner in several ways:
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Spot cleaning - Use the cleaner to spot-treat areas that need extra attention.
Light cleaning - If you don’t need heavy-duty help, use the cleaner as part of your
normal routine upkeep.
Heavy-duty cleaning - If your surface has tough, caked-on dirt or grime, try a
professional-grade cleaner for a deep clean.
Professional cleaners may contain unique compounds that leave a protective barrier on
the surface after wiping, sealing in cleanliness, and keeping dust and debris away longer.
Cleaners can restore natural stone and tile surfaces to like-new condition!
Rinse and Dry the Area
Rinse natural stone and tile with warm, clean, non-chlorinated water. This removes mild
cleanser residue and debris. If left on the surface, chlorine can discolor. Use nonchlorinated water.
To avoid early sealer activation, towel dry after rinsing. A moist mop can also be used to
ensure the floor is dry. After drying, check the floor for standing water or moisture.
Protect the Natural Stone or Tile From Future Damage
You must safeguard your natural stone or tile after cleaning it with the correct solutions.
After all, cleaning up an avoidable mess is the worst.
Protecting natural stone or tile surfaces involves numerous steps:
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Seal: Sealing natural stone and tile prevents discoloration, scratching, and water
damage. Tile sealant repels dirt and water, making spills and stains easy to clean.
Choose a sealant appropriate for your surface type. Natural stone sealants won't
work on porcelain tiles.
Coasters: Everyone knows to use coasters on wooden furniture, but did you
know they may also protect natural stone and tile surfaces from scratches?
Coasters disperse liquids, preventing them from seeping through onto marble
and ceramic tile. Durable materials like cork and felt work well.
Safeguarding your natural stone or tile is quicker and faster than washing it, so do it
immediately to keep it looking great!
Maintain It Regularly
Maintaining natural stone and tile is easier than deep cleaning it, as with any cleaning
activity. TLC is the best way to maintain stone and tile. Stone and tile should be cleaned
regularly, whether it's a kitchen countertop, bathroom floor, or patio.
Here are some tips on how to keep your surfaces looking awesome:
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Dust mop all stone and tile surfaces at least once a week, or even more often if
you use the space frequently. If you have pets or small children, mopping the
area may be necessary more often than once a week.
Always use an approved cleaner on your natural stone and tile surfaces. This will
help maintain their protective sealant layer.
Remove spots right away with a little water or mild detergent solution if needed.
Wipe up spills as soon as they happen the sooner they are wiped up, the less
likely they are to stain the surface permanently.
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Use the correct tools for cleaning – cloths for wiping down, stiff bristle brushes
for scrubbing, mops for mopping, vacuums for vacuuming – depending on where
you’re cleaning.
Know When to Call in a Professional
If you're cleaning natural stone and tile that's heavily damaged, stained or has rough
places, you may need a professional. They utilize the correct chemicals and methods to
clean even the hard-to-reach locations.
Visit a tile store if there's no professional nearby. Their experts can suggest goods for
your surface and situation. It could save you time and money!
Conclusion
Maintaining natural stone and tile preserves its beauty. These ten steps are the best
approach to cleaning surfaces. Cleaning natural stone and tile regularly keeps them
looking their best. You can deep clean your surfaces and keep them looking professional
with the correct product and a little elbow grease.
Now that you know how easy it is to clean natural stone and tile, use your knowledge.
Scrub with your preferred cleaner and gloves!