Stone is a product of nature. And, like all byproducts of Mother Nature, stone requires special care to preserve its one-of-a-kind beauty.
Because StoneImpressions’ unique art tiles feature decorative patterns on natural stone tile bodies, they also require the same level of care that you would give to any piece of natural stone.
But, this begs the question: what is the proper way to clean stone tiles?
That’s why today we are outlining:
- How to clean stone tiles
- How often you should clean stone tiles
- What to avoid when cleaning stone tiles
Ready to make your natural stone tile installation look brand new? Follow along below to get started!
5 Steps for Cleaning Natural Stone Tiles
Step 1: Assemble Your Supplies
First things first: make sure you have assembled the necessary cleaning supplies for your tile.
Before you begin, have the following items handy:
- Soft cleaning cloths
- A medium-sized container filled with warm water
- A pH-neutral stone cleaner or non-acidic soap
The right cleaning materials can help prevent unwanted harm (like scratches) and make sure your tiles get adequately washed!
Step 2: Apply Cleaner to Tile
Next up, apply your non-acidic soap, or pH-neutral stone cleaner to the tile.
If you have multiple soft cloths available for cleaning, you can also use one cloth to apply the cleaner of your choice to the tile.
Step 3: Clean, Clean, Clean!
Now it’s time to clean! Gently rub the cleaner across your tile until the entire surface area has been thoroughly covered with the cleaner.
Step 4: Rinse With Warm Water
Then, grab your soft cleaning cloth and your container filled with warm water.
Use the cloth to dredge up the water and then apply the cloth to the tile covered with cleaner. Again, gently rub the cloth across the tile repeatedly until all of the cleaner has been removed from the entire surface of the tile.
Step 5: Thoroughly Dry Your Tiles
Last, but certainly not least, remember to completely dry your tiles after cleansing and washing them.
This is where it can be helpful to have several reusable, soft cleaning cloths. You can use one for applying the cleanser for the tile, one for washing the cleanser from the tile, and one for drying the tile after it’s been washed.
And, voilà! With those five, simple steps you can make sure your tile installation stays sparkling clean all the time.
Featuring the Gilded Garden Tile Mural
How Often Should I Clean My Stone Tiles?
Natural stone tile installations should be cared for as you would care for the finish of your kitchen appliances. For example, clean your stone tiles as you would your microwave, dishwasher, stove, or refrigerator.
The frequency at which you clean your tiles will likely vary depending on household and installation location.
A good rule of thumb, however, is to clean your tiles every 2 weeks—save for if you see a spot or mess appear in between cleanings!
Proper and consistent cleaning is just another great way to preserve the elegance and aesthetic of your natural stone tiles.
What to Avoid When Cleaning Natural Stone Tiles
Now that we’ve covered the correct steps for cleaning and how often you should clean your natural stone tiles, let’s turn our attention to the things you must absolutely avoid.
To protect your tile from unwanted scratches, never ever use a harsh abrasive cleaner or cleaning tool on your tile. This includes electric buffers, electric scrubbers, scouring pads, brushes, or any rotary tools.
Additionally, it is imperative that you avoid any care products that contain the following:
- Abrasives
- Phosphoric acids
- Scouring powders
- Chlorine
- Acetone
- Glycolic Acids
Avoiding these products and practices can protect your tile and preserve the integrity of your installation for years to come.
Case, Cleaned
With that, we’ve covered everything you need to know for answering the question: how do I clean natural stone tiles?
Further your knowledge of natural stone and discover which thin-set you should use with natural stone tile or the idiosyncrasies of natural stone.
Or, explore our latest 2021 Artisan Stone Tile pattern designs and centerpiece mural collections! If you see a tile design that catches your eye, head to our Showroom Search to find and connect with a StoneImpressions distributor in your local area.