Tips for Mopping Natural-Stone Flooring

Stone floors add a touch of elegance to any home. They also are quite durable as long as you know how to maintain them.

Stone is a porous material, so it can be susceptible to staining and dirt buildup if not cleaned and mopped correctly. 

In this blog post, we will discuss mopping tips for cleaning natural stone floors. Let's explore what you should and shouldn't do when cleaning stone floors to keep them looking their best. 

Start With Dry Sweeping

One of the most important things you can do to clean your stone floors is to start with dry sweeping. This will remove any dirt and dust that has accumulated on the surface.

Wet mopping will only turn the dirt and dust into mud, which can be absorbed by the porous stone floors. Dry sweeping first will remove most dirt and debris, making wet mopping much more effective once you've removed the dry particles.

Do this one to three times per week, and more often if you have pets or live in a dusty area.

Even with regular sweeping and mopping, dirt and dust can accumulate in hard-to-reach spots where the mop head won't fit. To clean these areas, you should vacuum your stone floors using the soft brush attachment.

Using a soft brush attachment is essential to safely remove dirt and debris from stone surfaces without causing scratches. If you use a vacuum attachment that’s too abrasive, you could unintentionally damage your stone floors.

Keep in mind that all dry soil should be picked up before you can move on to wet mopping. This means you should vacuum as frequently as you sweep (one to three times per week).

Common floor cleaners can damage the stone by stripping away the protective sealant and dulling the professional finish. When cleaning stone floors, you should only use a stone and tile floor cleaner that’s safe for natural stone, such as Granite Gold® Stone & Tile Floor Cleaner.

When cleaning grout, a product like Granite Gold® Grout Cleaner is essential. This grout cleaner was specifically designed to deep clean grout without damaging the natural stone tiles next to it.

You should also use a brush that’s gentle on natural stone (like the one that comes with each bottle of Granite Gold® Grout Cleaner).

When it comes to mopping equipment, you should opt for a string mop or sponge mop because they won't cause scratches on your delicate stone floors.

Once you’ve vacuumed and swept your stone floors, you can move on to wet mopping.

You shouldn’t soak the mop too much before using it on the flooring. When the mop is dripping wet, the dirt particles will not be absorbed and will stay on the floor.

A mop that is only slightly damp will trap particles within the cloth material. Remember that a little water goes a long way when cleaning natural stone surfaces.

Once you’ve cleaned your stone floors, it’s important to seal them. A quality stone sealer will help protect your floors from staining and dirt buildup.

Knowing how to clean your stone floors is only the first step. Sealing them correctly is just as important to maintain their beauty and longevity. When your stone floors are unsealed, they’re more susceptible to all types of dirt and damage. By sealing them, you create a protective barrier that will make them easier to clean and keep them looking new for years to come.

For best results, we recommend using Granite Gold® Sealer. This sealer is safe for all types of natural stone, including granite, marble, and limestone. You can also use it on your countertops, backsplashes, and floors.