How to Care for Natural Stone Floors — The Complete Guide

The Golden Rule: pH-Neutral Cleaners Only

The single most important maintenance rule for natural stone — particularly marble, limestone, and travertine — is to use only pH-neutral (pH 7) cleaning products. Acidic cleaners (including vinegar, lemon juice, and many bathroom cleaners) dissolve the calcium carbonate in calcareous stones, causing surface etching that dulls the polish over time.

Daily Cleaning

Sweep or dust-mop to remove grit (grit acts as sandpaper underfoot), then damp-mop with warm water and a few drops of pH-neutral stone cleaner. Avoid steam mops on marble — the heat and moisture penetration can cause long-term issues.

Sealing

Marble, limestone, travertine, and sandstone are porous and require sealing.
How to test: Drop a few drops of water on the surface. If the water beads, the sealer is still active. If it absorbs within 5 minutes, it's time to reseal.
How often: High-traffic floors: every 1–2 years. Kitchen countertops: annually.

Dealing With Stains

• Oil-based stains: Apply a poultice of baking soda + water. Leave 24–48 hours, remove, rinse.
• Biological stains: Diluted bleach solution on granite. For marble, use hydrogen peroxide.
• Rust stains: Rust removers formulated specifically for stone (not generic rust removers, which are acidic).

Etching vs Staining

A stain is discolouration from an absorbed substance — often removable with the right poultice. An etch mark is physical damage from acid contact — it appears as a dull spot on polished stone and cannot be removed without re-polishing.