Clean gently
Use a pH-neutral cleaner specifically labelled for your natural stone.
NATURAL STONE CARE
Tile Care & Maintenance
Everyday care for marble, travertine, limestone and other natural stone tiles. Keep your surfaces clean, protect their finish and choose products suited to your stone.
Blot spills promptly
Lift spills with a soft cloth rather than spreading them across the surface.
Protect the finish
Use mats, coasters and protective pads to limit grit, spills and scratches.
Daily cleaning
A simple, consistent routine helps prevent dirt and grit from wearing the surface.
- Remove loose dust and grit with a soft broom, dust mop or a vacuum attachment suitable for stone floors.
- Clean with a soft cloth or mop and a pH-neutral natural stone cleaner, following its dilution instructions.
- Rinse away cleaner residue with clean water and dry with a soft cloth. Change dirty water frequently.
- Clean high-traffic areas more frequently and keep entrance mats free of grit.
Spills, stains & surface marks
Blot spills as soon as possible. Staining and etching are different problems and may require different treatment.
- Use coasters and trays around food, drinks and toiletries. Acidic spills can etch acid-sensitive stone such as marble and limestone.
- For a persistent stain, select a treatment approved for the stone and the stain type. Test it in an inconspicuous area first.
- Do not scrub dull or etched areas with abrasive products. Ask a stone-care professional about restoring the finish.
Sealing your natural stone
The need for sealing depends on the stone, its finish, its location and the sealer already in use. A sealer can help reduce absorption; it does not make stone stain-proof or protect against every type of damage.
- Choose a sealer recommended for your specific stone and application. Consult your installer or product supplier if unsure.
- Apply only to a suitably clean and dry surface. Follow the manufacturer’s application, excess-removal, drying and curing instructions.
- Colour-enhancing sealers can alter the appearance. Test a small, discreet area before treating the whole surface.
- Review the surface periodically. Resealing frequency depends on use and product performance rather than a single fixed schedule.
Protecting floors, walls & countertops
Small preventative measures help preserve the appearance of both polished and textured finishes.
- Place suitable non-slip mats at entrances and use protective pads beneath furniture. Lift furniture rather than dragging it.
- Keep shower and wet-area surfaces free of soap residue. Remove excess water with a suitable soft squeegee or cloth.
- Avoid oil-based sweeping compounds, abrasive pads and abrasive powders. Do not use acidic household cleaners on acid-sensitive stone.
- Use only cleaners explicitly approved for the material. Avoid bleach or strong alkaline products unless the stone and cleaner manufacturers specifically permit them.
After installation
Arrange initial cleaning and any sealing with your installer, taking account of the stone, grout and installation products used.
- Remove loose debris with soft tools and clean water where appropriate. Avoid acid-based grout-haze removers on acid-sensitive stone.
- Allow grout and installation materials to cure as instructed before cleaning, sealing or putting the surface into service.
- If residue remains, ask the installer for a stone-compatible treatment rather than using stronger household chemicals.
Choosing care products
Match the product to the material, finish and task. Everyday cleaners, stain treatments, sealers and colour enhancers serve different purposes.
- Read the label and confirm compatibility with the stone, grout and any existing sealer.
- Follow the product instructions for dilution, application, rinsing and ventilation. Never mix cleaning products.
- Test unfamiliar products in a discreet area. For deep stains, etching, cracks or finish restoration, consult a qualified stone-care professional.