Vacuum or sweep your floor frequently to remove loose dirt and dust. Use a horse hair attachment for vacuum.

Frequently clean high traffic areas with a neutral cleaner and microfiber mop, switching pads when they get overly damp or dirty.

Clean up spills and pet urine right away. Always blot up any liquid then clean the area with Easy Oxy and a soft bristle brush and towel/rag.

*Urine, Citrus juices, wine, and many other household items are acidic and may etch and remove the shine on marble, travertine, limestone, or onyx floors. For polished floors you can try to remove the etch with MB-11 if the etch is light. Otherwise, the spot must be professionally refinished.

Put doormats or runners near exterior door to catch as much dirt as possible. Regularly have these cleaned.

Use soft bristle brushes to clean stubborn areas. (similar to a toothbrush)

Use felt pads under furniture to prevent legs from scratching softer floors.

Don’t use vacuums with a “beater bar” which has stiff bristles used for lifting the piles when cleaning carpet. These stiff bristles can abrade natural stone floors. Some vacuums have the option of suction only which is advised when cleaning natural stone floors.

Don’t use vacuums that are worn down and have sharp plastic or metal exposed. These can scratch the floor while vacuuming.

Avoid using vinegar, bleach, or ammonia to clean grout. These will break down the grout over time causing it to crack, deteriorate or cause holes, all which can allow dirt and stains to get deep below the surface and cause permanent discoloration or damage.

*Acidic cleaners like vinegar will damage marble, travertine, limestone and onyx.

Avoid over-wetting floors causing puddling. Water can pick up dirt and roll into the grout lines where it pulls the dirt deep into the grout’s pores.

Don’t use metal brushes. Metal brushes can abrade natural stone or grout and can discolor grout lines.

Avoid using the back of sponges. Many backs on sponges can be aggressive and can scratch natural stone.

Avoid using abrasive cleaners such as dry cleaners or soft cleaners.

Avoid using spray polish or cleaners that say that the products add shine. These polishes can scratch and scuff easier than most stones. They can also build up and trap dirt and debris, causing a more costly professional cleaning in the future. If a heavy build up exists moisture can become trapped in the stone and cause the stone to start spalling or breaking apart.