Floor Worsens with Cleaning? 3 Tips for Common Stones – Save This!

Last time we covered general stone cleaning methods, giving you a basic grasp of daily stone floor maintenance. But stones like marble, granite, and terrazzo each have their own ‘temperament’—marble fears acids, granite hates abrasion, terrazzo dreads dirty grout—so target these specifics for effective cleaning that extends floor life.

Marble Floors: Prevent Acid Etching, Protect Polish Layer

Marble, a carbonate stone, has a delicate polished surface; cleaning focuses on avoiding acids and gentle handling, with 3 key details.​

1. Daily Cleaning: Avoid Hidden Acids

Skip toilet cleaners or tile agents; everyday weak acids like kitchen splashes of vinegar, lemon juice, tomato juice, or spilled soda/fruit juice in living areas corrode marble. Avoid “natural hacks” like diluted vinegar water or lemon slices, as they dull the shine over time. Correct method: Blot acid spills instantly with dry paper towels (no rubbing), wipe twice with water-dampened soft cloth, then dry with a clean cloth.​

2. Deep Cleaning: No Harsh Abrasion, Use Mild Polish

Polished layers scratch easily, so avoid abrasive cleaners like scouring powders or creams that dull the surface. For dull spots, mix marble-specific polishing powder 1:5 with warm water into a paste, apply with soft cloth in clockwise circles for 30 seconds per area, rinse with water, and limit to monthly.​

3. Regular Protection: Apply Protective Coating

Marble absorbs stains easily, so apply water-based, non-filming marble sealer every 3 months: Wipe evenly with soft cloth, let sit 10 minutes, buff off excess. Treated surfaces bead water/oil for easy wipe-up, ideal for kitchens or dining areas.

Granite Floors: Prevent Abrasion, Protect Grout Lines

Granite, a silicate stone with high hardness (Mohs 6-7), resists acids/alkalis but scratches from hard particles; focus on removing debris first and grout care, with 3 details.​​

1. Daily Cleaning: Vacuum Debris First, Then Mop

Small stones or sand from shoes or balcony dust easily cause fine scratches, so vacuum daily with soft-bristle attachment (avoid hard brushes), especially at entrances/balconies. Use microfiber mop wrung nearly dry (no dripping) to prevent trapped grit from sliding and abrading.​

2. Stubborn Stains: Mild Oxidation, No Scraping

Avoid steel wool or blades on oil/ink stains; apply diluted 3% hydrogen peroxide (pharmacy grade) with cloth, cover with plastic wrap for 2 hours, then rinse—it oxidizes stains safely. For grout stains, wrap toothpick in peroxide-damp cloth to clean, then dry.​

3. Grout Cleaning: Monthly Deep Clean to Prevent Blackening

Though finer than terrazzo, grout darkens over time; use 0.5cm soft-tip grout brush with neutral cleaner monthly, gently to avoid edge damage. Wipe dry after; seal lingering dark spots with clear granite grout sealer.

Terrazzo Floors: Prevent Grout Dirt & Efflorescence, Protect Cement

Terrazzo, a cement-aggregate mix, has wide gaps and cement prone to staining/efflorescence; focus on sealing gaps and anti-alkali care, with 3 key details.​

1. Daily Cleaning: No Alkaline Cleaners, Wring Mop Dry

Cement in terrazzo fears strong alkalis (causing whitening/powdering), so avoid soap, laundry powder, or dish detergent—these lead to efflorescence (persistent white frost). Use only neutral cleaner with half-dry mop, followed by immediate dry cloth wipe to prevent water seeping into cement gaps.​

2. Grout Treatment: Seal First, Then Clean

Wide 2-3mm gaps trap dirt heavily; for new or blackened terrazzo, apply epoxy color-matched caulk (tutorials online, ~$5 kit) to fill—sealed gaps need only surface wiping. Unsealed: Weekly brush with soft-tip grout brush and neutral cleaner, then dry thoroughly to avoid wastewater buildup.​

3. Efflorescence Removal: Neutral Remover, No Acids

For white frost, skip acids like vinegar/HCl (they etch aggregates); dilute terrazzo-specific neutral efflorescence remover, apply with cloth for 5 minutes, rinse, and dry. Follow up every 2 months with water-based cement hardener to reduce absorption and prevent recurrence.

Summary: Core Cleaning Mnemonics for 3 Stone Types

Stone Type	Core Cleaning Mnemonic	Operations to Avoid
Marble ​	Prevent acid, gentle wipe, frequent seal	Acid cleaners, harsh abrasion, wet mop without drying
Granite ​	Vacuum grit first, soft wipe, clean grout	Mopping with sand, scraping stains, ignoring grout
Terrazzo ​	Prevent alkali, seal grout, wipe & dry	Alkaline cleaners, uncleaned grout, acid on efflorescence

Each stone has unique weaknesses—avoiding pitfalls matters more than aggressive cleaning for lasting cleanliness and durability.