Internal Natural Stone Cleaning & Maintenance

In some instances, stones may display residue from the finishing processes prior to being packed at source. We recommend brushing any residue off with a dry brush or damp sponge. It is advisable to avoid saturating the tile as this will increase the drying time.

For further information, read our Natural Stone Installation Cleaning guide below.

Yes, we recommend cleaning the tiles post-adhesive and again post grout.

The post-adhesive clean should take place prior to the tiles initial coat of sealant. The sealing process will lock in any surface dust or residue so it is important to ensure the tiles are as clean as possible. This can be achieved by passing over the surface with a damp sponge.

The post-grout clean should take place prior to the second coat of sealant. Begin by testing the product on two tiles using the below method.

Apply the Lithofin Power-Clean diluted at a ratio of 1:30 (try 1:10 for stubborn residue) to remove any ingrained residue.

Use a white emulsifying pad to apply the product and leave on for 8-10 minutes, scrubbing with a white emulsifying pad or a stiff brush every minute.

Lightly rinse the surface to remove any residue and towel dry.

In order to achieve the best results, it is recommended to work in small, controlled sections.

In order to reduce drying times, we recommend wringing out the sponge as much as possible to avoid saturating the tile

For further information, read our Natural Stone Installation Cleaning guide below.

We recommend using both dry and wet methods to keep your stone flooring looking its best.

Sweeping and vacuuming (with the soft attachment) is great to pick up crumbs etc from the floor,
whilst an occasional mop will keep your floor hygienic and lift light stains.

It is important to use cleaning products designed for natural stone on your floor - regular household cleaners can damage the surface of the tile and should be avoided.

We recommend the Lithofin Wash & Clean for regular cleaning. Always check the manufacturers guidelines and test in a discreet area.

Read our Regular Internal Cleaning guide for natural stone tiles below.

We do not recommend using steam mops on natural stone flooring. Steam cleaners push moisture through breathable sealants which can cause subfloressence
and dry water marks.

For a deep clean, we recommend using the Lithofin Power Clean. This is designed to remove more stubborn dirt.

To work out the correct ratio of product to water for your floor, we recommend testing the product on a tile in a discreet area with a ratio of 1:10.

Apply generously and leave the product on for 8-10 minutes - scrubbing every minute with a stiff brush.

Rinse several times with clear water and towel dry before assessing the results. If you are not satisfied, increase the ratio of product to water and test again, or speak with the technical team at Lithofin. We do not recommend using this product neat.

For more information, read our Occasional Deep Cleaning guide for natural stone tiles below.

For internal living spaces, we recommend re-sealing every 3-5 years (subject to correct maintenance).

For wetrooms/bathrooms, we recommend re-sealing every 6-12 months (subject to correct maintenance).

For shower areas, we recommend re-sealing every 6 months (subject to correct maintenance).

The above guidelines are based on the application of Lithofin MN Stain Stop.

On occasion, it is possible for natural stone tiles to appear smeary in certain lights, you may even notice footprints on the surface. The smears or streaks present can occur from the following:
1. Over application of sealant
2. Under application of sealant
3. Trapped dirt
4. Grout residue

As a first point of call, it is advisable to test two affected tiles with Lithofin Power-Clean, using the method described in our 'Deep Clean' guide.

Should there be no change, it is often worth testing a tile for the over application of sealant (method below).If unsuccessful, we recommend speaking with the Lithofin team to assess the correct remedial method for your floor. In some cases, the sealant will need to be removed, tiles cleaned and sealant re-applied.

Over application of sealant
The over application of sealant is due to the excess sealant not being buffed off the tile at the time of application. If Lithofin Stain Stop MN was used, it may be possible to ‘re-activate’ the sealant, in order to then buff away the excess. Please note this is not possible with Stain Stop Eco or Stain Stop W as they are non-solvent based.

Begin by testing one tile in a discreet area - generously apply Lithofin Stain Stop MN to the surface of the tile for 8-10 minutes, scrub and continuously move the product around the tile every minute with a stiff brush.

Remove all excess using a white towel and buff the surface of the stone completely dry.

After a further 10-15 minutes assess the look and feel of the tile, the tile should feel smoother compared to an untreated tile which can have a sticky texture.

Should the test be conducive to resolving the issue, continue to treat the floor in small controlled sections (1-2m2 at any one time).

For further information, read our smeary/patchy tile cleaning guide below.

In the first instance, the spillage should be flushed with water immediately - on occasion this can be enough to prevent etching the stone. Wipe the tile clean with a white towel and assess the mark (if any). If aesthetically noticeable, we recommend using Lithofin Power-Clean. Read our Occasional Deep Cleaning guide.

For stubborn oil spots, we recommend using Lithofin OIL-EX.

Read our cleaning oil spills guide below.

In the first instance, the spillage should be flushed with water immediately - on occasion this can be enough to prevent etching the stone. Wipe the tile clean with a white towel and assess the mark (if any). If aesthetically noticeable, we recommend using Lithofin Power-Clean.

For further information, read our cleaning acidic spills guide below.