5-Star Google Rated
Certified Stone, Masonry & Tile Technicians
Licensed & Insured
Not All Stone Is the Same, and Treating It That Way Can Cause Real Damage
Natural stone covers a wide range of materials, granite, slate, limestone, onyx, and sandstone among them, and each one reacts differently to cleaning products, moisture, and even routine foot traffic. A cleaner or technique that's perfectly safe on one type of stone can permanently etch, dull, or discolor another. The most common mistake homeowners and even some cleaning services make is treating all stone the same way, using one all purpose approach regardless of what's actually on the floor. That mismatch is a leading cause of stone damage that has nothing to do with dirt or neglect and everything to do with using the wrong method on the wrong material.
Why This Happens
Stone is generally grouped into two categories based on how it reacts to acid. Calcium based stones, including limestone and onyx, are highly reactive and etch on contact with acidic cleaners, similar to how marble and travertine react, since they share related mineral compositions. Silica based stones, including granite, slate, and sandstone, are far less reactive to acid but bring their own considerations, granite is dense and hard but its polish can still dull with the wrong abrasive product, slate has a naturally layered structure that can flake or delaminate if cleaned too aggressively, and sandstone is often more porous and textured, giving dirt more places to hide than a smooth, dense stone would. Cleaning any of these correctly starts with knowing which category, and which specific stone, you're actually dealing with.
Cleaning by Stone Type
Granite. One of the hardest and least reactive natural stones, but still benefits from pH neutral cleaning to preserve its polish and a quality sealer to protect against staining from oils and pigmented spills.
Slate. A naturally layered stone that can flake or delaminate under aggressive scrubbing or acidic products. Cleaning slate calls for a gentler touch than denser stone, with attention to its uneven, textured surface.
Limestone. Closely related to marble and travertine in composition, limestone etches readily on contact with acid and needs the same careful, non-acidic approach.
Onyx. One of the softest and most reactive natural stones used in flooring, onyx demands particularly gentle handling and is highly susceptible to etching and scratching.
Sandstone. Porous and often textured, sandstone tends to trap dirt within its surface more than denser stone, requiring deeper extraction to fully clean rather than surface wiping alone.
Our Approach to Natural Stone
We start by identifying exactly what stone we're working with before any cleaning begins, since the right process depends entirely on that answer. From there, we use stone safe, pH neutral solutions with gentle agitation and controlled rinsing, adjusted for the specific stone's hardness, porosity, and reactivity. Whether that means a lighter touch for slate or onyx, deeper extraction for porous sandstone, or standard pH neutral cleaning for granite, the goal is always the same, a genuinely clean result without introducing any risk of etching, scratching, or dulling the stone in the process. Sealing is selected based on the stone's specific porosity and how the space is used.
A Note on Marble and Travertine
If your home has marble or travertine specifically, we have dedicated information on the particular challenges those two stones present, marble's sensitivity to etching and travertine's naturally porous, pitted structure. This page covers the broader range of natural stone we work with, granite, slate, limestone, onyx, and sandstone, each with its own specific considerations.
6+
1000's
100+
YEARS RESTORING HENDERSON FLOORS
FLOORS BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE
GROUT COLOR MATCHES
What's Included
Certified Technicians
Our Lead Technicians Certified in Stone, Masonry, and Tile
Full Evaluation
Identification of your specific stone type before any cleaning begins
Commercial Grade Sealant
Sealing selected based on porosity and how the space is used
Gentle Agitation
Gentle agitation and controlled rinsing suited to the material
Stone Safe
Stone safe, pH neutral cleaning adjusted to your stone's hardness and reactivity
Satisfaction Guarantee
Satisfaction guarantee. We return and make it right at no additional cost
Common Questions Asked About Stone Tile Cleaning
What is the best way to clean stone tile?
Use a pH neutral, stone safe cleaner rather than anything acidic like vinegar or citrus based products, which can etch many types of stone on contact. Gentle agitation paired with controlled rinsing lifts embedded dirt without scratching or dulling the finish. For routine maintenance between deep cleanings, dry dust mopping or a slightly damp mop is safer than a heavily soaked one, since excess moisture can seep into porous stone.
How much does it cost to have tile cleaned?
Nationally, professional tile and grout cleaning typically runs $0.50 to $3 per square foot, or about $250 to $700 for an average size room, with most homeowners spending around $480 to $550 total depending on square footage and condition. Adding a sealant increases the price, often to $1.50 to $2.50 per square foot combined. Most companies also have a minimum charge, commonly $100 to $200, for smaller jobs.
Is it worth it to have tile professionally cleaned?
For tile and grout with real embedded buildup, yes, a professional deep clean reaches dirt trapped below the surface that regular mopping physically cannot remove, and pairing it with sealing helps keep grout cleaner longer between visits. For tile that's already in good condition with only light everyday soiling, the value is smaller, though many professionals still recommend a thorough cleaning once or twice a year to stay ahead of buildup before it becomes harder to remove.
Does Dawn dish soap clean tile grout?
It can lift some everyday grease and grime, which is why it's a common DIY suggestion, often mixed with baking soda into a paste. But it's still a soap, and soap residue left behind in porous grout can actually attract new dirt faster once it dries, which is part of why professional soap-free processes exist in the first place. It's a reasonable light, occasional touch-up, not a substitute for a deeper cleaning.
How do professionals clean ceramic tile?
Most professional services use a combination of hot water extraction and, in some cases, steam or high pressure rinsing, paired with a pH neutral, soap-free solution to break down embedded dirt without leaving residue behind. This reaches buildup that's settled into grout lines in a way a standard mop can't, and is often followed by sealing to help protect the grout going forward.
What should you not clean tile with?
Avoid vinegar, lemon, and other acidic cleaners on any natural stone tile, since they can etch the surface. Avoid abrasive scouring pads or powders on polished or glazed finishes, which can scratch and dull them. Avoid mixing ammonia and bleach based products together under any circumstances, this creates a dangerous gas. And avoid oil based soaps like Murphy's Oil Soap on tile specifically, since they're formulated for wood and tend to leave a residue that dulls tile and grout over time.
How can I make my ceramic tile look new again?
In most cases, this comes down to addressing buildup that's settled into the grout rather than the tile surface itself, since grout is what usually drives that dingy, aged look. A deep extraction cleaning followed by a fresh grout seal typically restores tile to a noticeably brighter, more uniform appearance, especially if it's been years since the last professional cleaning.
Can I steam clean tile floors?
Generally yes for ceramic and porcelain tile, though steam isn't recommended for most natural stone unless it's properly sealed, since the combination of heat and moisture can drive water into a porous, unsealed surface rather than lifting dirt off of it. Even on standard tile, steam alone often doesn't fully rinse away loosened dirt the way a proper extraction process does.
What is the best floor cleaner for ceramic tile?
A pH neutral cleaner formulated specifically for tile and grout is the safest everyday choice. Avoid wax based or oil soap products, which leave a film behind, and avoid vinegar or other acidic cleaners on grout specifically, since repeated acid exposure can wear down grout over time even though ceramic tile itself is fairly acid resistant.
What are the downsides of steam cleaning?
Steam doesn't fully rinse away loosened dirt on its own, which can mean debris gets pushed around rather than actually removed. On porous or unsealed grout and stone, the moisture involved can seep below the surface rather than evaporating cleanly, occasionally contributing to mildew if it's trapped there. It's also less effective than a proper extraction process for grout with significant embedded buildup.
Can you use a Swiffer wet mop on porcelain tile?
Yes, for routine, light maintenance between deeper cleanings, a Swiffer wet mop is generally fine on porcelain. It's not a substitute for a real deep clean though, since it only addresses the surface and doesn't reach buildup already embedded in grout lines, and the pre-moistened cleaning solution can leave a light residue over repeated use just like most all purpose cleaners do.
Not sure what type of natural stone you have, or how to safely clean it?
Call Elite Tile and Grout Cleaning to schedule your natural stone cleaning service.
Certified Las Vegas stone, tile and floor restoration specialist
Se Habla Espanol
Phone: (725) 302-6025
Service Area: Las Vegas, Nevada
Hours: Mon-Sat, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, free estimates by appointment