One of the most frustrating things about hard surface flooring is when they get a stubborn stain. Stains can come from just about anything, from pet urine or wine to blood or tomato sauce. Many hard floor surfaces have specific procedures to get rid of stains, and it’s a good idea for business owners and home owners to know all about them.
Stone Stains
Marble, granite, slate and other stone surfaces are particularly susceptible to stains that are quite acidic on the pH scale. Marble in particular is sensitive to staining and can be particularly difficult to clean because it is very porous. Liquids, especially acidic ones, can seep into the stone and cause permanent staining. If business owners encounter a stain on their stone flooring, they can try to treat it with a mixture of acetone or other chemicals, or turn it over to a professional cleaner with experience in cleaning stone flooring like marble.
Tile Stains
When tiles are made of ceramic or porcelain, they look beautiful but can be stained when the spill gets down into the finish and seeps into the porous surface. For surface blemishes, most business owners have luck using oxidant cleaning products or even bleach. Deep stains may require a hydrogen peroxide treatment or diluted muriatic acid. Many people call in professional cleaners to deal with the powerful substance and ensure that the stain is eliminated properly. Not only the tile, but the grout holding it in place is also subject to staining.
Hardwood Stains
Hardwood flooring can be beautiful, but is susceptible to acidic stains, such as pet urine. Too much soiling can actually turn the wood a darker color as the acid interacts with the wood. For recent pet accidents, an enzyme-based solution can be used to counteract the urine. Most of it will be lifted up or lightened before they can do permanent damage. There isn’t a lot that can be done to remove old urine stains from a wood floor, because the wood itself is chemically changed and no type of stain remover can turn it back. Fortunately, hardwood flooring can be sanded down and refinished to appear as good as new.
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