Everyday Cleaning

• Clean everyday messes as soon as they occur using a soft cloth rag moistened with warm water and a mild dish detergent. Mix 1/4 cup of dish detergent and 3/4 cup water in a small bowl to make this simple cleaning solution. You can use soap instead of dish detergent.
  
  According to thrifty-mom.com, mix 1 cup of white vinegar with 1 gallon of hot water to make a great homemade floor cleaner. Apply the mixture to your stone floor with a mop. This is a completely natural and non-toxic way to clean your stone floors. For stained areas, fill a spray bottle with the vinegar and water solution, spray the stain and wipe with a clean cloth mop moistened with water.
  
  

Deep Cleaning

• When deeper stains penetrate your stone floor, it can be a challenge to remove the spots. The biggest misconception about stone floors is that it is possible to use bleach as a cleanser to remove deeply set-in stains. It is never a good idea to use anything as harsh as chlorine bleach on a stone floor. It will immediately cause discoloration or an erosion effect.
  
  For a deep cleaning on a stone floor, scrub the spot with a soft-bristled brush dipped in the same vinegar and water solution you can use for everyday mopping. Do not use a metal bristle brush, which could scratch the stone. A pumice stone is helpful in getting rid of hard-to-clean stains, but it is imperative to use it sparingly and only on difficult stains that have not responded to the vinegar and water treatment. Preventive maintenance is crucial with stone floors. Mopping daily and sweeping frequently will keep many stains from setting.
  
  After cleaning stone floors, it is beneficial to polish them. Stone has a tendency to become dull over time and a polish job will make it look beautiful if you apply it after a deep cleaning. Make sure the stone floor is completely dry before polishing.