Limestone is a beautiful yet fragile natural stone. Care and maintenance is required for the stone to retain its beauty and quality.
Limestone is a great choice in terms of flooring. Available in different colors and textures, limestone as flooring instantly makes any space more beautiful and even elegant. Should you choose limestone for your home, know that you need to clean and care for the stone properly for it to last a very long time.
Introducing Limestone
To understand why you need to properly clean and maintain limestone flooring, you should learn about the stone first. Limestone is a sedimentary stone that falls under the category of calcareous stones. Calcareous stones, which also include marble, are mostly made up of the chemical compound calcium carbonate. Carbonate can be easily damaged by acid and acid-based solutions, so even natural cleaners like vinegar should not be used.
Marble may be soft and porous, but limestone is softer and more porous. This means that extra care is needed for this natural stone. It is not a good idea to use limestone for kitchens and bathrooms because the stone easily absorbs liquids—this explains why staining is often a problem. For any spills, blot the liquid immediately with a soft clean cloth to prevent stains.
Cleaning Limestone
It is never a good idea to keep limestone floors dirty as dust and grime are abrasive. A buildup of these will scratch the surface and make the stone vulnerable to further damage.
Limestone floors can be cleaned by sweeping with a broom or dust mopping. The broom or mop to be used must be dry as well as soft, so as not to scratch the surface. You also have the option to vacuum the floors. Vacuuming must be done only of the attachment and wheels of the machine are not worn; otherwise, you will be damaging the stone in your attempt to clean it. Sweeping and dust mopping should be done regularly.
Every once in a while, clean the floors with lukewarm water. Use a well-wrung microfiber mop to do the job and use as little water as possible. Excess water can penetrate into the limestone, so make sure to dry the surface afterward. Apply only a bit of pressure when mopping. If you want a more thorough clean, you can use a neutral cleaner or an alkaline product specifically used for stone.
Limestone Care
Care for limestone actually begins after installation. The stone is sealed and waxed to protect the surface by repelling stains. After a few years of use, limestone suffers from wear and tear, especially in areas of heavy foot traffic. You would need to have the floors resealed every few years to keep the stone in good condition. Frequency of resealing will depend on use and foot traffic.
Know that you can minimize the wear and tear of your limestone floors and therefore eliminate the need to have frequent resealing. Do this by placing dust mats outside and inside the entrance so that abrasive debris from shoes will not be transferred onto the stone. Having area rugs and runners with slip-resistant undersides also help.