Floor Care

We take pride in our home. It is a reflection or an extension of who we are and how we wish to be represented. Some days it may get a little messy (we all have those days) and some days it all comes together. The finishing changes and updates we make to add beauty to our home contributes to that. Whether it is a fresh coat of paint, a new piece of furniture, or perhaps new floorings. Adding tiled or natural stone flooring is not only a beautiful enhancement to your living space, but an investment in your home. It can increase the value of your home both now and in the future. Like the rest of your home not only do you want it to be clean and beautiful, you also want to protect your investment by caring for it properly. Here are some tips to keep it in optimal shape.

Practice “preventative maintenance”

Having the custom of taking your shoes off before entering the home, or stepping on mats or rugs when entering can help to collect excess dirt before you get to the stone. Mats used for this purpose will need to be cleaned regularly to be rid of the dirt that it collects. This not only helps to protect the floors but keeps them cleaner than usual.

Natural Enemies

Natural elements can be your floors greatest enemy. Sand, dirt or grit are very abrasive materials and can be incredibly damaging. Using a clean dry dust mop or broom will keep these elements from sitting on the floor too long and will remove them without scratching the surface. Vacuuming is also very helpful to suck up any remaining pieces of grit or sand that may remain. Make sure to use a vacuum without the beater bar, so as not to scratch the floor.

How to Clean

Once you have dust mopped or vacuumed, damp mopping is the next step to keeping your floors looking beautiful. We can provide suggestions on specific products to use, designed especially with your floors in mind.
Damp mopping helps to collect leftover dust and debris from the floor. Excess water or “wet” mopping should be avoiding as stone is porous and will absorb moisture that sits on the surface. Same rule applies for spills. Make sure to blot – and not wipe – spills immediately.

Less is more when it comes to detergent or cleaning product. Too much will leave a film and cause streaking. Chemical build up or puddles also attract dirt and grit, exposing the stone to damage. Science plays a huge role in the treatment of the stone. Acidic products such as lemon or vinegar should be avoided as well as any ammonia based products that will dull the shine of the stone.

What may seem like a huge undertaking is primarily just a new routine to get used to. Once you become accustomed to caring for your floors this way it will become second nature and you will be able to reap the benefits of your beautiful investment for a long, long time.