Natural stone floors are a very durable flooring type. However, just because they’re durable doesn’t mean that they can’t get damaged. Regular cleaning, maintenance, and sealing can help minimize the damages, but it’s ideal to avoid some activities on your stone floors for the best results.
You can always turn to a stone floor restoration company for help and insight.
Here are some things you should avoid doing to your stone floors so that they last longer.
Don’t Use the Wrong Cleaning Supplies
One of the biggest mistakes you can make with natural stone floors is using the wrong cleaning supplies. Ideally, you should purchase commercial cleaners that are specially formulated for your flooring type.
For instance, Granite Gold floor cleaner is a good option if you have granite floors. Likewise, Black Diamond floor cleaner is a good option if you have marble floors.
You don’t want to use floor cleaners with acidic or abrasive components that can etch your stone floors over time. Avoid using cleaners with lemon, vinegar, aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, and the like.
Don’t Allow Water to Sit
Water itself isn’t the cause of damage. However, if it sits on top of your stone floors for a while, it may cause water stains or start forming mold and mildew. If water spills on your stone floors, or members of your family track rainwater on the floor from foot traffic, it is best to get it up as soon as possible.
Don’t Spill Heavily Pigmented Foods
Another problem that can lead to staining is spilling food such as wine, coffee, or spaghetti, which can contain plenty of pigments that discolor stone flooring. As with water, it is ideal to clean up such spills quickly.
Getting your stone floors sealed regularly will help prevent many of these spills from penetrating the porous floors and causing discoloration.
Don’t Drag Heavy Furniture Across the Floors
It is best to avoid dragging furniture across the floor with any flooring type. This is because it can cause scratches on the flooring on the surface. Dragging heavy furniture across stone floors can also damage them.
Ideally, it’s best to work with another person, pick the furniture up, and move it to another location in the room. However, if you’re limited to yourself, there are furniture slides and pads you can use to properly move furniture across the floor without scratching them.
Kitchen chairs can also scratch your kitchen floors. To avoid damage from chairs as you move them about, putting protective felt pads on the legs is a good idea.
Don’t Let Mud Remain on Floors
As with other spills, it is ideal to clean up mud as soon as possible. Not only are the minerals in mud capable of leaving dark stains that damage the floor, but the abrasive nature of the mud after it dries can also scratch the stone floors.
Don’t Allow Pet Stains to Settle
Occasionally, your furry friends will have an accident on your floor. In such instances, you’ll have to prepare to act fast and avoid letting such spills dry on these types of floors. As with pools of water and food spills, these stains can seep into porous stones, causing stains and etching the stone flooring.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I have my stone floors cleaned?
It would be best if you aimed to clean your floors at least once every week. In high-traffic areas, you may have to clean them twice a week. Getting your stone floors professionally cleaned at least once a year is also a good idea.
How long can I expect my stone floors to last?
Up to thirty years. However, with the proper maintenance and sealing, your floors could last over 50 years.
Can I sweep stone floors?
Yes. Ideally, it would help if you used a soft bristle broom or a microfiber dust mop to avoid scratching the floors’ surfaces.
Stone Floor Restoration is the Service You Need
Have your stone floors suffered significant damage over the years and need refinishing to make them look their best again? Our stone floor restoration services can help! Call Restore-A-Floor in Brighton today to schedule a Free Estimate.
We specialize in stone and tile floor cleaning and polishing as well as address minor repairs and grout issues. Our expert crew can revive any stone or tile surface!