How can I maintain my indoor natural stone floors?
Granite, basalt, marble, limestone, slate, travertine, ... They all belong to the large family of natural stones. Because of their versatility, they can be used in many applications, including indoor flooring. Besides their versatility, all those types of natural stone are unique. That is why each one of them requires specific maintenance.
The first (thorough) clean
If a new floor has been installed in your home recently, some installation traces may still be visible on the tiles and near the joints. It is a good idea to give your floor a first thorough clean about one week after the grouting.
Acid-sensitive natural stones
For acid-sensitive natural stones such as marble and limestone, Lithofin MN Power Clean is the appropriate product for a first clean.
Other natural stones
For acid-sensitive natural stones such as marble and limestone, Lithofin MN Power Clean is the appropriate product for a first clean.
Protection
Impregnating your natural stone floor adds a protective layer to the surface without completely closing off the stone’s pores. Impregnation stops dirt from penetrating your floor, but still allows it to ‘breathe’. This also allows the stone itself to acquire a protective layer, which is referred to as the ‘patina’.
Where and when impregnating your floor?
Protecting your natural stone floor is highly recommended, particularly in stain and moisture sensitive areas such as kitchens or bathrooms. In case of porous stone such as pale limestone, impregnation is recommended in all rooms.
Protection should be added after the floor has completely dried out. If the floor was glued down onto dry screed, this is after 6 to 8 weeks. If the floor was installed onto a layer of stabilised sand and mortar, wait 6 months.
Maintenance
Regular cleaning of your natural stone floor will remove dust and make your tiles look nice and clean. However, regular maintenance also pays off in the longer term. A well-maintained natural stone acquires its patina more quickly, and will therefore be better protected against stains.
- For your floor’s daily maintenance, it is best to use a product that does not close the tiles’ pores such as Lithofin MN Wash&Clean. You can also use this product in the first weeks after installation and before impregnation.
- If you want to do even more justice to your floor’s surface finish, you can condition it once a month with Lithofin MN Care-Sheen.
Tips
- Never use abrasive materials to clean dirt that is hard to remove.
- Always follow the instructions on the packaging of the maintenance products.