Caring for Natural Stone

How to seal, clean and maintain natural stone floors and worktops. Step-by-step aftercare for limestone, marble, travertine and slate.

Natural stone is the longest-lasting flooring material you can specify — limestone floors in European cathedrals are still in use after 800 years. But it does need looking after, and the first six months after installation matter most. This is the routine we recommend to every client.

Sealing on installation

Every natural stone floor needs an impregnating sealer applied before grouting and again afterwards. The sealer doesn't sit on top of the stone — it soaks in and fills the microscopic pores, blocking liquid penetration while leaving the surface looking and feeling completely natural.

We supply the correct sealer with every stone order. Apply with a clean cotton cloth, leave for 5 minutes, then wipe off any residue. A second coat 24 hours later is recommended for porous stones (limestone, travertine).

Daily and weekly cleaning

Sweep or vacuum loose dirt regularly — grit is what wears stone. For mopping, use warm water with a small amount of pH-neutral stone cleaner. Never use vinegar, bleach, lemon juice, ammonia, or any general-purpose floor cleaner — they will etch the surface.

For worktops, wipe spills immediately. Red wine, lemon, tomato and any acidic food will leave a mark if left more than a few minutes.

Dealing with stains

Most fresh stains lift with stone cleaner and a soft brush. For deeper or older stains, we supply a poultice powder — mix to a paste with water, apply over the stain, cover with cling film, and leave overnight. The poultice draws the stain out of the stone as it dries.

Oil-based stains (cooking oil, butter, suncream) are the hardest to remove and may need professional treatment. Call us before trying anything aggressive.

Re-sealing

Test whether a floor needs re-sealing by dropping a teaspoon of water on it. If it beads on the surface, the sealer is working. If it darkens the stone within a minute, it's time to re-seal.

Most domestic floors need re-sealing every 3–5 years; high-traffic areas (entrance halls, kitchens) every 2–3. The process is the same as the original seal — clean thoroughly, dry completely, apply sealer.

Annual deep clean

Once a year, do a deep clean with a stone-specific alkaline cleaner (we can supply). This lifts the build-up of soap, grease and grime that ordinary mopping doesn't reach. After cleaning, allow the floor to dry fully (24 hours) before re-sealing.

When to call a professional

Etching damage on polished marble, deep cracks across multiple tiles, or large oil stains usually need professional restoration — re-honing, re-polishing or stain extraction. Our installation team can recommend specialists; we don't offer restoration ourselves but we know who's good.