Any time you have natural stone installed in your home or office, it is an investment that you will be able to enjoy for years to come. This natural beauty is hard to attain any other way. There are, however, some care and maintenance tasks that come with natural stone to ensure it lasts and its beauty is preserved. DM Carpet Cleaning is here to talk about some of the maintenance that must be done in order to keep your natural stone looking its best.
Cleaning Natural Stone Surfaces
Cleaning your natural stone surfaces is a little different than traditional ceramic tile. The cleaners use on natural stone should be neutral cleaner, stone soap or a mild dishwashing detergent. Any time you use too much of these cleaners, you will experience unsightly streaks that will leave your surface looking and feeling dirty. Unlike other surfaces, once you have finished cleaning the floors with the mild cleaner and a clean, wet mop, you will want to rinse off the cleaner to avoid this film. Drying the surface with a clean cloth can help preserve the shine of the stone as well. In areas like the bathroom, you may want to consider using a squeegee to avoid soap scum buildup.
Cleaners to Avoid on Natural Stone
When it comes to natural stone, you want to avoid certain cleaners as they can seriously damage your stone. Any cleaners that are high in acidity shouldn’t be used on natural stone. These would include cleaners that contain lemon and vinegar. The acid can cause dulling and etching to your stone. You should also avoid using scouring powders and creams as these can scratch the stone as well. Lastly, any cleaners that contain hydrofluoric acid (commonly found in toilet cleaners) should be avoided as they will attack any stone surface and cause damage.
Importance of Natural Stone Sealer
Many natural stone surfaces are prone to staining. This can be difficult to remove and will leave your natural stone tainted. One of the major steps in avoiding staining is having your natural stone sealed. This will not make your natural stone completely stain proof, but it will help guard you against staining the best. There are many sealers out there that claim to be the best, but usually an impregnating sealer is the best option for natural stone. If you don’t feel comfortable using it, you may want to consider having it applied by a professional.
How to Protect Natural Stone
There are several things you can do to help keep your natural stone preserved and beautiful. Following are a few tips.
– Dust/Mop Frequently: using a dry dust mop on your floors regularly will keep them from sustaining everyday scratches.
– Rugs/Mats: These will remove dust and dirt that will scratch flooring found on the bottom of shoes.
– Vacuum: If using a vacuum on the flooring, make sure the wheels aren’t old as this can cause scratching.
Natural Stone Cleaning Services in Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Roswell, Duluth, Stone Mountain, Covington, Conyers, Loganville & Atlanta Georgia
If you have natural stone flooring in your home, you can count on DM Carpet Cleaning for your professional natural stone cleaning needs. Call us today!
