Are you seeking that beautiful, clean finish for your home? Keeping a clean granite floor is important if you want to maintain its natural beauty and durability. When it comes to spills, stains or just regular dirt all around, knowing the right techniques will make all the difference in the world. In this guide, we’ll show you effective methods to clean granite floors while keeping them shiny for years.
To properly clean your granite floor, start off with a gentle yet effective cleaning solution. Avoid harsh chemicals, as these can damage the stone’s surface. Instead, go for a pH-neutral cleaner specifically designed for granite. These cleaners are built to lift up dirt and grime without leaving behind any residue or dullness.
Next up are the tools. A soft-bristled brush or microfiber mop works wonders when scrubbing away dirt without scratching the surface. Remember to avoid using materials like steel wool as they might cause scratches and damage to the granite.
Now, let’s jump into how to properly clean your granite floor step by step. By doing so, you’ll be left with a pristine finish every time.
Simple Guide to Cleaning Granite Floors
Granite floors add elegance and toughness to any space. However, you need to make sure you’re caring for them right in order to keep them looking top-tier. Keep reading to learn how to clean your granite floors effectively.
1. Prepare Your Supplies
- To make cleaning easy, gather these materials:
- Soft-bristled broom or vacuum cleaner
- pH-neutral stone cleaner
- Warm water
- Microfiber mop or soft cloth
- Sealer (if needed)
2. Sweep or Vacuum Regularly
Before you actually start cleaning, get rid of the loose dirt, dust, and debris on the surface of your granite floor. Use a vacuum with a brush attachment or a soft-bristled broom so you don’t scratch it.
3. Make the Cleaning Solution Ready
Follow the instructions from the manufacturer and mix warm water in a bucket with a small amount of pH-neutral stone cleaner. Acidic or abrasive cleaners will only damage your floor, so avoid using them if possible.
4. Mop It Up!
Dip your microfiber mop or soft cloth in the cleaning solution and wring out excess liquid until it’s damp enough not to harm your floor. Mop one side of your granite floor all the way across to the other side when you can start on another section again.
5. Rinse and Dry It Out Properly
Once you’ve cleaned every single inch of your precious floor, rinse off any remaining residue from the cleaner by using clean water instead. To prevent streaks or water spots, dry everything up with a different cloth, but make sure it’s still clean and dry itself before doing so.
6. If You Need To Apply Sealer (do it now)
If necessary for sealing purposes, ensure that your granite floor is completely clean and dry before moving forward with applying anything else that could potentially damage it further if met with these conditions according to their respective manufacturer’s instructions.
7. Don’t Break Your Cleaning Routine
Keep your granite floor looking as great as possible by cleaning it regularly. Sweep or vacuum every single day to get rid of dirt and debris, and mop with a pH-neutral cleaner weekly or whenever you feel like you need to. Don’t waste any time when cleaning up spills so your floor isn’t stained, and you can quickly maintain that clean granite look we’re going for here.
What is the Best Thing to Clean Granite Floors with?
Granite floors are an exquisite addition to any home or space, but they need to be properly taken care of in order to keep them in their best condition. The following are some good ways of cleaning granite floors:
1. Warm Water and Mild Soap
Using warm water with a mild soap is a gentle yet effective method of cleaning granite floors. To mop the floor, all you have to do is mix some mild dish soap with warm water. This solution helps take away dirt and grime without harming the surface of the granite.
2. pH-Neutral Granite Cleaner
Choose a pH-neutral cleaner for your granite that has been specifically designed for use on natural stone surfaces. These cleaners will cleanse and protect your granite floors without leaving any residue or creating etching.
3. Natural Stone Sealer
Ensure that you regularly apply natural stone sealer on your granite floors so as to prevent stains and spills from appearing on them. Sealers also make it difficult for liquid substances to penetrate into the porous surface of granites, thus repelling moisture.
4. Microfiber Mop
A soft mop which doesn’t scratch surfaces should be used when cleaning granite floors. A microfiber mop is an ideal option because it picks up dirt easily while causing no damage to the marble.
5. Avoid Harsh Chemicals
Products such as bleach, Vinegar and ammonia can destroy both the sealant and cause damage to the granite itself; hence, it’s always better not to use them at all when you’re washing these types of tiles since there could be possible discolouration or etching.
6. Regular Maintenance
Sweeping or vacuuming your granite floors regularly will help prevent the accumulation of dirt and unnecessary debris; hence, no deep cleaning will be required; besides, attending immediately after spills prevents staining, thereby preserving its original appearance.
7. Professional Cleaning
You might also consider hiring professional stone cleaning companies that offer deep cleaning and maintenance services. These professionals understand how to clean and restore your granite floors effectively while ensuring their good condition over many years to come.
How do you Clean Granite Floors with Vinegar?
Cleaning granite floors with Vinegar is a natural and effective way to maintain their shine and cleanliness. Here’s a simple guide in bulleted points followed by detailed explanations:
- Prepare the solution
- Sweep or vacuum the floor
- Mop the floor with the vinegar solution
- Rinse with clean water
- Dry the floor
Now, let’s dive into the detailed explanations:
Prepare the solution
Prepare the vinegar solution by combining water and white Vinegar, which are equal parts, in a bucket. In this case, the combination ensures that the acid properties of Vinegar are used for cleaning without causing any harm to granite surfaces. If some stains or greases need to be removed, add a little mild dishwashing liquid.
Sweep or vacuum the floor
Before applying a vinegar solution to your granite floor surface, it is necessary to remove any dirt, dust, or debris that is present. Use a soft-bristled broom or vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment to sweep or vacuum gently. This will prevent scratching of the surface during cleaning, hence better overall cleanliness.
Mop the floor with vinegar solution
When loose debris is cleared from the floor, take the prepared vinegar solution and dip the mop into it while squeezing out extra fluid from it. For instance, excessive moisture can penetrate into granite floors over time, which may cause damage. Thereby, mopping should be done gently. Also important is not to use abrasive scrub brushes or harsh chemicals that could scratch or etch the surface of your granite.
Rinse with clean water
It is essential that one rinses their flooring after mopping using Vinegar Solution so as to ensure no residue is left behind by Vinegar. The aim of this step is to avoid leaving Vinegar’s acidic nature on top of granite for an extended period since this could cause dullness or damage with time. To guarantee total eradication of any trace of Vinegar, another mop soaked in water must be used.
Dry the floor
After cleaning and rinsing off your floor completely, dry it quickly so as to avoid water spots and keep up its natural lustre. It absorbs whatever little remaining moisture there may be, especially at corners and edges where runoff accumulates best. By doing so, you will safeguard its look as well as lifespan.
Final Words
Lastly, to keep your granite floors looking good and lasting long, it is better to use mild but efficient cleansers, e.g. neutral pH soaps and warm water with mild soap, as well as the right equipment, such as microfiber mops or soft-bristled brushes. Stay away from strong chemicals or rough materials, opt for regular sweeping or vacuuming and consider procuring professional cleaning services for deep cleaning. It is very simple but vital; all one needs to do is use these few steps so that you can be sure that your granite floors will continue to look brand new, bright and ageless even after many years.
