Using natural stone like marble and granite for office/home flooring is a big investment. It is done with certain expectations in mind.Choosing a natural stone for flooring is a good choice and one which would really provide long term benefits. However, there are certain precautions or do’s & dont’s associated with the natural stone floor which has to be kept in mind.
Please keep in mind that natural stone does require specialist stone care and cleaning services. The points mentioned below are for general care and upkeep of the natural stone floors.
List of Precautions To Be Taken
Discard any dirt, dust, and sand from the stone’s surface.
Clean up accidental spills as soon as possible. The longer they stay on the surface the harder they will be to clean at a later stage.
Use coasters under all glasses, particularly those containing alcohol or citrus juices. Many common foods and drinks contain acids that will dull the stone surface. This is especially true for calcareous natural stones such as marble, onyx, and travertine.
Daily cleanings should be accompanied by periodic deep cleanings.
Do not place hot items directly on the stone surface. Use trivets or mats under hot dishes and placemats under china, ceramics, silver or other objects that can scratch the surface
DON”T use vinegar, lemon juice, or other acid containing cleaners such as bathroom cleaners, grout cleaners, or tub & tile cleaners on your stone.
DON’T use abrasive cleaners such as dry cleansers or soft cleansers.
DON’T mix bleach and ammonia; this combination creates a toxic and lethal gas.
DON’T ever mix chemicals together unless directions specifically instruct you to do so.
(Source: marble-granites)
STONE FLOORING – CARE & CLEANING TIPS
Make sure that the entrance to the room where natural stone flooring is present is always covered with non-slip mats and big rugs. This will prevent dirt and soil from entering the room.
.Regular housekeeping services are a must. Mopping, vacuuming and sweeping the floors will also help in maintaining the floors as they check the accumulation of sand,dirt, and debris. This also helps in enhancing the age of the floors.
Wet mop using a mild vegetable soap and water solution OR a stone cleaner made especially for stone. Professional stone cleaners think that moist mopping with plain water daily to clean dirty areas is all that is necessary to keep your stone floor clean. Most often, the floor will be wet cleaned less frequently and stone cleansers should be used.
Active daily cleanings should be followed by recurrent deep cleanings. How often you deep clean your stone will depend on the usage. If you are an office which sees lots of traffic daily then professional help will always be required.
Daily spot cleaning. This is simply cleaning up any unexpected spills immediately. If you do get a spot, attend to it as soon as possible with a slightly concentrated suspension of detergent and then seek professional help if the detergent cleanser is unsuccessful.
Please note that :
DO NOT
Wet sweep your floor with vinegar, lemon juice, or other cleaners containing acids on Marble, Travertine, Limestone, or Onyx surfaces. This can severely hurt your stone.
Damp mop your floor with a commercially prepared cleanser unless it intimates that is Granite and Marble stone friendly.
