A lot of Australia homeowners are investing natural stone tiles in Sydney. These materials can be used to create gorgeous floors and beautiful counter tops. If you currently have natural stones in your home, however, there are a few important things that you should know about their ongoing maintenance and care. With the right cleaning strategies, you can avoid a host of common and potentially costly issues.
Caring For Your Stone Floors
Stone is incredibly durable but this does not mean that it is absolutely impervious to normal wear and tear. These surfaces can still be stained and otherwise damaged, especially when homeowners use the wrong cleaning products and equipment. It is additionally important to note that homemade cleaning solutions can be just as detrimental as the wrong store-bought ones. Stone surfaces tend to be very vulnerable to the damaging effects of acids and highly acidic solutions. Products that are acidic can cause serious problems with etching and discoloration that will often warrant a full replacement of the tiles in the affected area.
Scratching is also a common problem with these material. You should keep this in mind when removing dirt, dust and other debris. If you use a broom for these efforts, you run the risk of dragging abrasive materials over surfaces that will sustain deep gouges and scratches. This is why homeowners are always advised to use vacuums in areas with stone floors. A good vacuum will quickly suction abrasives up before these have the opportunity to diminish floor aesthetics. It is also a good idea to place area rugs in high traffic areas as a further means of scratch prevention.
Acidic Foods And Your Stone Counters
Highly acidic solutions and food products should always be kept far away from your stone counters. Be sure to use a cutting board at all times. If etching ever does occur as the result of exposure to citrus fruit, citrus juice, or the wrong cleaning agents, this many not be something that your provider is able to repair. Instead, the affected tiles will need to be pulled and replaced. This can be incredibly problematic if your tile color or pattern is no longer in stock.
Choose The Right Cleaning Agents
It is always best to start shopping for tile cleaners through the company that has installed your counters and floors. This entity will have the best ability to recommend solutions that are suited to the type of tiles you own. Once you have a better understanding of your needs for floor and counter care, you can begin shopping through other suppliers and experimenting with different floor cleaner brands.
