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How to Maintain the Elegance of Your Limestone Floor Tiles

By Lynda Stevens · · Updated

limestone floor tile
Contents

limestone floor tile Limestone flooring tiles are a beautiful natural material to enhance the decor of your home. Add warmth and texture to schemes with light walls and furniture with a flooring that will give you enjoyment for years to come.

Keep on reading to find out more about how you can maintain the elegance of your limestone floor tiles.

Use Soft, Non-Abrasive Tools

A soft-bristle broom or vacuum with a brush attachment are the best items for regular removal of dust and debris as these will prevent scratching from occurring during this process.

Sweep or dust mop often, because sand and grit act like sandpaper underfoot. Check that vacuum wheels and attachments aren’t worn, since they can scratch some stones.

Clean up Spills

One of the ways to improve the lifespan of your products is to clean up any spills when they happen. Many dense limestone materials work well in a kitchen and other busy areas of the home. But limestone is mostly calcium carbonate, which reacts with acid. Spills of substances that are acidic, such as red wine or vinegar, should be cleared up as quickly as possible to prevent staining and etching (dull marks where the acid eats into the surface).

Blot the spill with a paper towel instead of wiping it, which spreads it. Then rinse the full tile with clean water and dry it. Equally, cleaning all spills as you go will help keep your flooring in the best condition possible.

The Natural Stone Institute recommends cleaning with a neutral cleaner, stone soap, or mild dish detergent in warm water. Never use vinegar, lemon juice, or other acidic cleaners on limestone. If you prefer a dedicated stone product, one example is Lithofin Easy Care, which Lithofin describes as a mildly alkaline maintenance cleaner.

If some staining does occur, the good news is that many stains can be cleaned out of natural stone. For a deeper clean, try Lithofin Wexa, an alkaline multipurpose cleaner for grease, wax films, and care-product residue. This should be diluted according to the manufacturer’s instructions and applied to the whole of the affected tile, not just the area of staining. Test it on a hidden spot first.

Etch marks are surface damage, not stains, so cleaners won’t remove them. Deep etching may need professional honing. Once complete, the tiles that have been cleaned should be resealed.

Ensure Your Limestone Flooring Is Sealed Properly

One of the most important steps you can take is to ensure your limestone flooring is sealed properly. This will not only protect the stone but will also keep it looking as good as it can be, which will save you money long-term. Keep in mind that sealing makes stone more stain resistant, not stain proof, and it does not stop acid etching.

During installation, two really wet coats of sealer should be applied once all of the moisture from the adhesive bed has had time to evaporate out of the tiles. One coat should be applied to the surface and edges of the tiles before grouting. Another should be applied once the grouting has been completed – this then ensures the grout lines as well as the limestone tiles are protected.

For outdoor limestone tiles, it is personal preference as to whether these should be sealed or not.

If you wish for them to remain looking pristine for as long as possible, a sealer should be applied. Sufficient longer term protection will give you peace of mind allowing you to enjoy the aesthetics of your new flooring.

However, some people prefer not to seal and instead allow their paving to weather and settle into its surroundings – this is especially the case with more rustic, old-looking stones which only look more authentic the longer they are laid.

Avoid Dragging Furniture Across the Limestone Floor

If you have heavy furniture on top of your limestone floor, dragging this should be avoided to prevent scratching. For smaller items such as dining chairs or bar stools, which inevitably do get dragged on occasion, soft foam pads applied to the bottom of the feet can help to ensure the floor does not get damaged.

Conclusion

Overall, it’s important that the limestone floor tiles you decide to purchase will last you a long time. With only a few pointers to bear in mind, these tips will help you maintain the elegance of your limestone floor tiles for the long term, which in turn will save you money. It is often a misconception that all limestones are very porous and hard to maintain. However, many limestones are in fact extremely dense and durable, making them perfect for indoor or outdoor use in a variety of residential and commercial settings.

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