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.
Clean up Spills
One of the ways to improve the lifespan of your products is to clean up any spills when they happen. Most limestone materials are more than suitable for use in a kitchen and other busy areas of the home. Spills of substances that are acidic, such as red wine or vinegar, should be cleared up as quickly as possible to prevent staining. This can be done by blotting the area first and then wiping clean the full tile afterwards. Equally, cleaning all spills as you go will help keep your flooring in the best condition possible.
The best way to clean the spills will be with a pH-neutral detergent. If you don’t have one in your cleaning cupboard already, they’re easily available to purchase in stores or online. One highly recommended example is Lithofin Easy Care.
If some staining does occur, the good news is that natural stone can always be restored to its original elegance. For a deeper clean, try Lithofin Wexa. 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. 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.
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 pointer to bear in mind, these tips will help you maintain the elegance of your limestone floor tiles for the long term, which in hand 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.
