Maintaining your Strathearn natural flooring is as effortless as it is rewarding

Stone

Click here to View and Download our Stone Maintenance Booklet.

This booklet is full of useful information including an Equipment Checklist, a Step-by-Step guide on how to clean your floor and advice on repairing your floor. Why not print a copy, and pop it on your pin board so you always have it to hand! We can also post you a copy of the booklet if you prefer, just let us know.

All recommended products noted are available for purchase on our website (Click here to be re-directed to our Cleaning & Maintenance page) or at our Forteviot showroom. Alternatively, you can order the products by emailing our team, info@stoneandtimber.co.uk or phoning us 01764 684836.

Porcelain & Ceramic Tiles

Due to the hard, dense nature of Porcelain it is a very durable and practical product with a level of built-in stain resistance. Porcelain/Decorative/Glazed tiles themselves do not require sealing; however if using a cementitious/porous grout, this grout should be protected with a product such as Lithofin KF Protective Impregnator  or Lithofin KF Grout Protector.

All recommended products noted are available for purchase on our website (Click here to be re-directed to our Cleaning & Maintenance page) or at our Forteviot showroom. Alternatively, you can order the products by emailing our team, info@stoneandtimber.co.uk or phoning us 01764 684836.

Recommended cleaning product: Lithofin KF Conditioning Cleaner.

How often should I clean my floor?

Once or twice a week. Cleaning your tiles regularly ensures dirt doesn’t build up and any liquid or food that is spilled doesn’t have a chance to stain the surface. We would highly recommend that any spillages should be cleaned up as soon as possible.

What equipment do I need to clean my floor?

A soft sweeping brush, a hard-floor vacuum cleaner and a microfibre mop. Sweeping, vacuuming or dry mopping will gently remove any abrasive dirt which could be harmful to the floor.

What are the steps to clean my floor?

• Sweep, vacuum or dry mop the entire area thoroughly, paying attention to grout line or edges where dirt is likely to accumulate.
• Make up a dilute solution of Lithofin KF Conditioning Cleaner and water, in a mop bucket or similar. For more information regarding direction of use for Lithofin KF Conditioning Cleaner, click here.
• Soak your microfibre mop in the bucket for 5-10 seconds, wring it out, and start to mop floor.
• Avoid walking on the mopped area until completely dry.

Do you have any other tips on maintaining my porcelain floor?

• Door mats, such as coir mats, are good at trapping grit and dirt before they are brought into the room.
• Felt pads attached to the feet of stools or chairs will prevent scratching of the porcelain surface.

Hearths

A natural hearthstone, such as Slate, Limestone and Basalt create strong, beautiful hearths and can be the perfect addition to your fireplace.
A correctly sealed hearth will ensure a timeless beauty and easy maintenance, and as such we would recommend sealing your hearth. For a slate hearth, you can seal the stone with a Linseed Oil and Beeswax mixture (available to purchase from our showroom, please contact us for more information)

Recommended cleaning product: Lithofin Easy Care.

How often do I clean my hearth?

Once or twice a week. Cleaning your hearth can be part of your floor cleaning routine. If you have a wood burning stove, you may wish to sweep the ash from the hearth and wipe down with a warm water using a cloth.

What equipment do I need to clean my hearth?

A regular cleaning cloth or micro-fibre mop.

What are the steps to clean my hearth?

• Sweep, vacuum or dry mop the entire area thoroughly, paying attention to grout line or edges where dirt is likely to accumulate.
• Make up a dilute solution of Lithofin Easy Care and water, in a mop bucket or similar. For more information regarding directions of use for Lithofin Easy Care, click here.
• Soak your cloth or microfibre mop in the bucket for 5-10 seconds, wring it out, and start to wipe the hearth.
• Allow to dry entirely before using the stove.

To arrange a quote or for further information on our natural stone hearths, custom-made options, delivery details and recommended please contact us.

All the recommended products noted are available for purchase at our showrooms. Alternatively, you can order the products by emailing our team, info@stoneandtimber.co.uk or phoning us 01764 684836.

External Stone

Paving your garden with stone or porcelain is a fantastic addition to any home. However, stone and porcelain used externally will be subject to staining due to natural atmospheric agents and organic matter which can affect the overall look of the material.

Recommended cleaning product: Lithofin offer a range of different outdoor cleaners, please consult with one of our expert team or with Lithofin directly regarding the appropriate cleaner to use.

How often should I clean my external stone/porcelain area?

3-4 times a year, and ideally on dry days. The longer you leave dirt and grime on paving, the harder it is to remove it. And like most gardening or outdoor jobs, regular maintenance is key.

What equipment do I need to clean external stone/porcelain?

A stiff brush, a sharp tool, a hose or pressure washer. If your patio is in good condition a stiff brush with a long handle should suffice. To remove weeds, moss and debris a sharp tool can be helpful to remove these in the paving gaps and edges. If you decide to use a pressure washer, they should be used with caution as the pressure can blast the surface waste and dirt into the air.

What are the steps to cleaning external stone/porcelain?

1. Ensure the surface is clear of any debris, this includes loose dirt, dust and weeds
2. Consult the directions of use for the specific Lithofin cleaner you decide to use.

Do you have any other tips on maintaining my external stone/porcelain area?

• Consider sealing external stone. The benefit of sealing stone is that it will protect against water and other types of staining. Sealing external stone is a matter of personal preference and is a subject of much debate in the industry. It is important to consider the type of stone you have e.g a light limestone may benefit more from sealing than a dark sandstone, and the cost implications for sealing the area.
• Regular brushing will help with eliminating the likelihood of staining and prevent seed germination.
• Weed frequently to ensure grout lines and paving gaps do not widen and get damaged.

Please do not hesitate to contact out expert team with any questions you may have about maintaining your floor. Your floor should be beautiful for a lifetime, and we are here to help you achieve this.

All the recommended products noted are available for purchase at our showrooms. Alternatively, you can order the products by emailing our team, info@stoneandtimber.co.uk or phoning us 01764 684836.

Have you purchased a Global Stone natural stone or porcelain paving product?

Global Stone have produced a useful ‘Maintenance & Laying Guide’. Click here to view this guide. Refer to Page 10 for Maintenance information.