Nothing Says Class Like Stone Flooring

There is little doubt that some of the best looking floors in the world are stone.  They range in styles from polished marble to unpolished slate.  Each type of stone has its own type of use ranging from formal settings to the laid back atmosphere of a walkway around a hot tub.  It doesn't matter what type of stone you use or what type setting you use it in there are some things that they do have in common.  That is that they are expensive and that stone maintenance is important.

The first thing you need to know is what the greatest thing that threatens your pretty <a href="http://www.wfca.org/Pages/Stone-Flooring-review.aspx">stone floor</a>.  That is dirt.   This does not mean dust.  That is easy to clean up and even if you miss some while cleaning it is soft.  It is dirt as in sand, concrete dust , and tiny little pieces of asphalt.  This is collectively known as grit and can cause scratches in the polish and then through the stone.  The best thing to do for stone maintenance is keep the grit off the floor and the best way to do that is with dust mats at the door at least if not through all areas of traffic.  This will also keep down on your stone polishing.

Your next line of defense in stone maintenance is just keeping the floor swept.  That gets rid of the grit and therefore helps protect the stone.  A normal broom will work but vacuums or <a href="http://www.galeton.com/pro-sweep-trade-broom-system-fine-bristle-head-only/11330-product/">fine bristled brooms</a> work better.  The best stone maintenance is preventive maintenance.

There are other things that you should also keep in mind to help your stone flooring last.  One important thing is mopping the floor once it has been swept.  First, wash the stone often but not too often or you will start to see a build up of the cleaner.  Next is use the right cleaner for that type of floor.  Every type of stone is different so the <a href="http://www.cleanfreak.com/Qstore/c000008.htm">cleaners</a> must be different as well.  Consult a professional for advice as to what you should be using.  Just taking a guess is not a good idea at all.

Once you have the right cleaner, use it correctly.  Follow the instructions to the letter.  If it says use 2 ounces per gallon then use 2 ounces per gallon, don't use 4 just because the floor looks dirty.  Finally, rinse the floor after washing.

These little tips on stone maintenance should help you keep your stone flooring looking great.