In this article, Paul Cranney from Stone Care Direct discusses some important considerations to keep in mind while looking after stone floors
Maintenance starts with good aftercare
Most issues seen on natural stone are not caused during installation, but through poor aftercare. Once a floor is handed over, it is often maintained using unsuitable products or incorrect methods. Over time, this leads to dulling, staining or surface damage that could have been avoided.
General use will dull the surface over time, and scratching is another common issue raised by clients. These are not cleaning issues, they are surface wear. Cleaning alone will not resolve them. Many floors require professional re-polishing to restore their appearance.
Regular cleaning maintenance using the correct products, combined with planned restoration, will significantly extend the lifespan of the surface.
Identifying soiling and avoiding damage
Understanding the type of soiling is critical before selecting any product. Not all marks on stone are the same.
Limescale, mould and grease all require different approaches. A common mistake is using acidic limescale removers on sensitive stone. These products can cause immediate etching on calcium-based materials.
Understanding the pH scale and sealers
A working knowledge of the pH scale is essential for anyone cleaning natural stone. The scale runs from 0 to 14:
0–6: Acidic 7: Neutral 8–14: Alkaline
The further away from neutral a product is, the more reactive it becomes.
There is also a lack of understanding around sealers. Most sealers do not prevent wear or damage, they primarily provide resistance to oil- and water-based staining. They will not stop scratching, etching or dulling. Ongoing maintenance and, where required, diamond polishing are still essential.
The importance of pH neutral cleaning
For day-to-day maintenance, pH neutral cleaners should be the default starting point. pH 7 products clean effectively without reacting with the stone surface.
Calcium-based stones such as marble, limestone and travertine, can be damaged quickly by acidic products. Neutral cleaners reduce risk and are suitable when the stone type is unknown. Products such as PH7 Pro are widely used for this reason.
Restoration, training and product support
Where etching, scratching or wear has occurred, cleaning alone will not resolve the issue. Restoration using diamond polishing systems is required to refinish the surface.
Systems, such as the Bonastre diamond polishing range, allow professionals to hone and polish stone using controlled mechanical processes. Stone Care Direct is the official UK distributor for Bonastre diamond tooling, supplying these systems to professionals across the industry.
Through the Stone Care Direct Academy, professionals can develop the skills needed to safely restore and polish natural stone.
Industry responsibility and opportunity
There remains a gap in knowledge across parts of the industry, with end users often misinformed by installers and retailers who have not invested in training or customer education.
From a business perspective, stone maintenance is also a strong opportunity. Diversifying into restoration and maintenance services can provide a valuable additional revenue stream.
Having originally entered the industry through tile supply and installation, it became clear that maintenance was a critical but often overlooked part of the lifecycle. This led to the development of Stone Care Direct, which now supports the industry through product supply, training and ongoing support. Details can be found at our website.
Raising standards across the industry
Natural stone is a premium surface, and clients expect it to be treated accordingly. With the right knowledge, product selection and maintenance approach, professionals can avoid common pitfalls and deliver consistently high standards.
In short, good stone maintenance isn’t complicated, but it does require understanding, attention to detail and the right support.
www.stonecaredirect.co.uk
