Are you a homeowner that currently has, or is considering getting, limestone surfaces or floors in your space? While limestone is an excellent material to use in your home, it is important to be aware of the maintenance needs of this natural stone so that you are able to properly care for it. Stone surfaces can last for decades with proper cleaning and sealing. Read below to learn more about the stone care you will need and the right cleaning products for your stone.
Sealing Your Limestone Floor Tiles
Limestone is a naturally porous stone, which means it’s easy for water, dirt, and debris to accidentally end up inside one if its numerous holes and create lasting damage. Sealant gives your stone a protective barrier, and gives you extra time to clean up everything from spills to dirt before damage occurs. Sealing your limestone prevents various particles from ever coming into contact with these open surfaces of your natural stone flooring. Sealing will reduce stains, as well as help prevent wear-and-tear. Your sealant should be limestone-specific, and resealed regularly to ensure its efficacy.
Vacuuming Your Limestone Flooring
No one loves chores, but regular vacuuming is necessary to preserve your limestone’s surface. When dirt, dust, and gritty materials (especially sand!) are left on your limestone, people may walk on it and drag said dirt along the surface of the limestone. Because limestone is a softer stone, this movement can cause tears and scratches on the limestone, even if they’re only microscopic. While limestone is structurally sound and its strength is unaffected by surface-level wear-and-tear, this motion can still shorten the lifespan of your limestone flooring. It can cause the sealant to wear, allowing more detrimental particles to seep into the floor. Vacuuming ensures that any dirt is picked up, limiting the amount of abrasion. In order to prevent future dirt, consider placing door mats or runners in your home to catch dirt brought in by shoes. Brooms that are soft may also be used in place of a vacuum, but they’re often regarded as slightly less effective because they don’t pull dirt up from the flooring as well.
Clean and Mop Your Limestone Floors
When cleaning your limestone floors, choose a daily or weekly cleaner intended solely for limestone. Limestone is made of a compound called calcium carbonate, which is sensitive to the acidity of normal cleaners, especially those with citrus elements. Every couple of days, mop your limestone floor using warm water mixed with an all-natural stone cleaner. During this process, minimal water is ideal, because water can easily be soaked up by the porous floor. Wring your mop out often, and rinse the floor only briefly with plain water. It’s also best to change the water you’re using frequently enough that residual dirt isn’t tracked back onto the floor.
Safe Limestone Cleaning Solution
Modern Stone Care Stone & Tile Floor Cleaner is a neutral (ph 7) marble safe floor cleaner which is to be used for regular maintenance on any hard surface not harmed by water. It was originally made to protect calcite based stones, such as marble, limestone, & travertine, which are alkaline in nature due to the mineral content, from chemical etching. It’s no rinse, streak free properties make this cleaner ideal for any hard surface, as it does not leave a dulling film or residue. Special organic slats in its formula act as “moisturizers” thus preventing natural stone from “drying out.” It also contains optical brighteners to enhance the finish of the surface on which it is used.
If you have any questions or concerns about this cleaning product contact us today. Our customer service representatives will be happy to go over the ingredients and instructions when using this natural stone safe cleaner.
Modern Stone Care
970 Bunker Hill Rd
Houston, TX 77024
(832) 814–2041
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