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Help!! How to clean stone flooring.

(17 Posts)
chicken Thu 27-Feb-25 09:56:19

I hope one of you grams can help me. I have a stone floor, large slabs of riven Indian stone with irregularities and layering which looks lovely but is so difficult to clean. I've tried a steam mop but it doesn't take off much of the dirt. A microfibre mop works better but because the floor surface is rough, the hinged head keeps flipping over---I've tried two makes of mop but they both flip. I would use a scrubbing brush and soapy water if I could, but once on my knees I'd never be able to get up again! Any suggestions would be so welcome. I can't cover the floor because it's underfloor heating.

MiniMoon Thu 27-Feb-25 10:02:29

I can't help, but I'm watching this thread with interest as my daughter has the same problem.

NotSpaghetti Thu 27-Feb-25 10:04:32

Can you afford a cleaner to scrub it properly for you?
Maybe once a fortnight would keep it looking OK?

I couldn't be doing it on hands and knees often!!

Alternatively, I do have a very stiff short bristled, long handled patio brush - maybe that would work?

NotSpaghetti Thu 27-Feb-25 10:06:01

Is it a type of sandstone?
norfolk.tiledoctor.biz/stripping-cleaning-and-sealing-a-riven-indian-sandstone-floor-in-ingham/#:~:text=For%20aftercare%20I%20recommended%20the,sealer%20off%20the%20stone%20prematurely.

Skydancer Thu 27-Feb-25 10:09:47

I posted similar recently about cream porcelain tiles. We were advised to put a coating on the tiles which we did and it has definitely made a big difference. Sorry the name eludes me but it was recommended by our local tile shop. Do ask yours as they will probably be pleased to help.

jusnoneed Thu 27-Feb-25 10:56:34

Those flat flip head mops (if that's what you mean) are difficult to use, always seem to flip over. I did see that Vileda now make a microfibre mop head, the ones with the long strands. Would possibly be easier on rough surface.

chicken Thu 27-Feb-25 11:00:47

NotSpaghetti. Yes, I think the short bristled brush is probably going to be the best option. The floor has already had two coats of sealant. If I'd known that maintenance was going to be so difficult, I would probably have gone for porcelain tiles instead, but too late now.

Septimia Thu 27-Feb-25 11:03:58

How about using the short bristled brush to get the dirt out of the crevices and then wiping it over with a microfibre mop (gently to avoid flipping) to help dry it?

NotSpaghetti Thu 27-Feb-25 11:16:53

chicken of course you don't want to scrub off the sealant!

Esmay Thu 27-Feb-25 11:39:02

I only know of the old Yorkshire way of cleaning stone floors .
They used to throw sand on them and brush it in then off .

MaggsMcG Thu 27-Feb-25 15:55:34

Buy a yard broom and try that as a scrubbing brush. Ot buy one of those electric scrubbing brushes.

SquirrelSue Thu 27-Feb-25 19:43:38

Lakeland sell a good variety of floor cleaning products. They are good quality and you will find something there for your floor.

karmalady Thu 27-Feb-25 19:51:39

A lot of flooring stone is very absorbent ie once the dirt gets in then it stays in, hence the need to seal new stone floors.

I had a pale stone floor at my last house and realized that the slabs had never been sealed. I managed for 8 years by scrubbing on hands and knees.

Chicken I would suggest that you buy an electric scrubbing machine. There is no easy way

Lahlah65 Sun 02-Mar-25 11:23:32

I have smooth surface quarry tiles, but the grout between them gets very dirty. I have tried all sorts, including a steam mop. I also bought a long handled stiff brush, but I think I get the best results using a regular soft bristle brush. The soft bristles are easier to push over the floor and because they’re soft, I think they get into the nooks and crannies better. I put it outside to dry when I’m done.
(Best of all is getting down on my hands and knees with a scrubbing brush, which I can still do and get up again, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to!)

Lahlah65 Sun 02-Mar-25 11:26:49

Sorry - not sure if this is clear. I mean the regular type of soft bristle broom you would use for sweeping. It does leave the floor wet. I go over it with a microfiber mop to take off the dirty water afterwards. I currently use the flip head type, as I find the cloths easy to rinse and wring, but I’m going to try the Vileda one.

Lahlah65 Sun 02-Mar-25 11:27:32

I’ve wondered about the electric scrubbing machines too. Does anyone have a recommendation of one that actually works? I don’t want to waste my money like I did on the steam cleaner

Astitchintime Sun 02-Mar-25 11:29:25

Get a deck brush - a long handled scrubbing brush used on boat decks - that will take the stress of your knees. Give the floor a scrub and then rinse off by using a traditional cotton floor mop........job done.