Spring has finally sprung in the Chicagoland area. There was snow, rain, sunshine and clouds all in the same week. It had many of us Chicagoans wondering if Mother Nature was playing a cruel joke on us! Hopefully, as a homeowner/property manager, you were fully prepared for the effects the wintery/spring mix could cause on your Marble, Granite, Terrazzo, Slate and Limestone floors.
If you still have minimal experience in maintaining your stone floors, or you just want to freshen up your knowledge, here are some useful and important tips from 20+ years of experienced professionals:
Dust mop your floors frequently using a clean dry dust mop. Sand, salt and rocks are abrasives that can damage your stone floors. Using rugs and mats inside and outside the entrance will help minimize the amount of abrasives that enter your home or building. Be sure to also clean the underside of the mats as these can retain dirt and moisture causing serious damage.
Clean your floors with a neutral cleaner (or mild liquid dish washing detergent) and a clean rag mop, changing the water as needed. An excessive concentration of cleaner may leave a film, so rinse thoroughly and dry with a microfiber (or soft) cloth (unbleached!).
Sealing your stone floors is an added protection against staining, although it doesn’t prevent stains from happening. It’s an added protection at resisting stains which gives you more time to clean up spills. When spills do occur (we’ve heard that “wine spill” stain one too many), blot the spill immediately with a paper towel (do not wipe) and rinse thoroughly as needed.
Regular upkeep with spot cleaning, surface cleaning, and sporadic deep cleaning will help keep your Marble, Granite, Slate, and other stone floors as beautiful and classic as you remember.
Have we been able to “spring you into action”?