Winter can bring a little extra work when it comes to keeping your home looking its best. Wet weather, muddy boots and increased foot traffic can all take their toll on your floors, particularly in busy areas such as hallways, kitchens and boot rooms.
Natural stone is a beautiful and durable flooring choice, but a little extra care during the colder months will help keep it looking its best. Here are a few simple tips for protecting your natural stone, both inside and out, this winter.
Keeping Internal Stone Floors Clean
During winter, mud, grit and general dirt are more likely to find their way indoors. One of the easiest ways to protect your natural stone flooring is to prevent as much dirt as possible from being walked across it in the first place.
More textured tiles will generally disguise dirt and debris easily, they're hardy! Such as Sledmere natural finish, or Minster limestone. Honed, polished or smoother tiles like Garrowby Premium or Goldsborough may expose dirt build up quicker, but they also have an "easy wipe" feel! with the right tools for the job, any stone can be low maintenance!
Place good-quality entrance mats at doorways, encourage muddy footwear to be removed and sweep or vacuum regularly to pick up loose grit. This is particularly important as small particles of grit can act as an abrasive against the stone surface. When cleaning up muddy footprints, allow heavier mud to dry before carefully removing it, rather than rubbing wet dirt further into the surface. Let it dry then sweep/vacuum using a soft brush attachment. Follow up with a damp mop/cloth and choose a suitable stone floor cleaner...
Choosing the Right Cleaning Products
Not all household cleaning products are suitable for natural stone. Avoid acidic cleaners, including vinegar, lemon-based products and general-purpose bathroom cleaners, as these can damage sensitive stones such as limestone and marble. Harsh chemicals and abrasive cleaning products should also be avoided.
Instead, choose a specialist pH-neutral cleaner designed specifically for natural stone. These products are formulated to clean effectively without unnecessarily damaging the stone or affecting its protective treatment. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and check that your chosen product is suitable for your particular stone.
Underfloor heating is a popular choice alongside natural stone flooring, helping create a warm and comfortable home during the colder months. However, it's important to use your heating system correctly.
When switching your heating on for the winter, or increasing the temperature after a period of inactivity, avoid sudden and significant temperature changes. Gradually increase the temperature in accordance with your heating system manufacturer's guidance. This helps minimise thermal stress and reduces the risk of problems like cracked tiles that are caused by rapid changes in temperature.
Looking After External Natural Stone
Outdoor stone can face some particularly challenging conditions during winter especially in the UK climate! Rain, frost, fallen leaves, mud and algae can all contribute to a build-up of dirt and debris.
Regularly sweep away leaves and loose dirt, and keep drainage areas clear to prevent standing water. Where cleaning is needed, use a suitable external stone cleaner and a soft brush, following the manufacturer's recommendations.
As you would internally, avoid using harsh chemicals, metal brushes or aggressive pressure washing, which can damage the surface or affect the finish of certain stones. It's also worth checking that your external stone has been installed with appropriate drainage.
A Little Winter Care Goes a Long Way
With a few simple precautions, there's no reason your natural stone can't look beautiful throughout the winter and beyond. From choosing the right cleaning products to keeping muddy footprints under control, a little regular maintenance will help protect your investment.
At Natural Stone Online, we believe natural stone should be enjoyed for years to come. Taking care of it through every season is all part of that. If you have any questions - please don't hesitate to reach out to our team!
