How to Get Stains Out of Your Natural Stone Flooring

Stains happen to the best of us. This is especially true in a busy household with children making messes, spilling drinks, and pets having accidents. You might be wondering where some of these stains even came from. Regardless of your situation, you likely want to keep your beautiful natural stone floors in good condition.

Don’t give up yet—here are some tips on how to keep your stone flooring looking clean and stain-free.

Marble floors

Marble floors can be difficult to clean. You should know how to take care of these types of floors because they are porous and stain easily. If you spill anything that could stain your floor, make sure it is completely dry after mopping. Wipe away any spills or excess water on the floor with a towel or paper towel to prevent water stains or mineral deposits.

Afterward, use stone-specific soaps and detergents available from local hardware stores. Specifically formulated cleaners are available for marble. Only use these cleaners. Marble floors should never be cleaned with general-purpose abrasive cleaners because they will scratch the surface and ruin it. These floors can be quite delicate, but their breathtaking appearance makes them worth it for many homeowners.

Travertine floors

Travertine can be found in many regions around the world. Since it is attractive and easy to work with, it is often used as a building material. Travertine tiles are used for flooring because they are durable and easy to maintain.

Knowing how to clean these types of floors will help them remain beautiful for years to come. This can be done in several ways, but one of the most popular methods is using white vinegar diluted with water. The mixture should not be too strong or too weak, as either can lead to problems in the future. Generally stick to a half-and-half mixture. The vinegar can help to both remove stains and odors, making it a great option for food or pet cleanup. 

Limestone floors

Limestone tiles are popular flooring because they are durable, easy to clean, and come in a variety of colors. Despite this, these tiles may become stained or discolored over time.

To clean these types of floors, you need to sweep them first to remove any dirt and debris. Scrub the tile surface with a scrub brush to remove any remaining dirt or stains. Thoroughly rinse the tiles with water. If scrubbing isn’t your style, steam cleaning can also be suitable for limestone floors.

The key to removing stains on natural stone surfaces is first identifying the type of stone. Sometimes, it is possible to use a stain remover specially designed for that stone. It may also help to know the cause of the stain. Play detective if you don’t know what caused the stain. Where is the stain? Is it close to a plant, food service area, or cosmetics area? What shape or pattern is it? How does the area around the stain look? Cleaning with an appropriate cleaning product or household chemical can often remove surface stains with relative ease.

However, stains that are deeply seated or stubborn may need to be treated using a poultice or calling in a professional cleaner familiar with natural stone flooring.