How do I clean rough Granite floor?

QUESTION

Cleaning Granite Tiles - I have a rough Granite floor that needs to be cleaned. This is a commercial store and they have glue and mortar on the floor they said they tried acid and that didn't work. Any suggestions?
I would appreciate any help.

ANSWER

ANSWER - I assume you have flamed granite, which is more difficult to clean due to its texture. Acid can only be used for removing cement based products and done very carefully or you can have problems. Don’t use acid on a surface until you have determined if it will not damage the material. Muriatic is the most dangerous. Diluted phosphoric or Sulphamic acid is safer. Always wet the surface of the area being cleaned first and then thoroughly rinse after cleaning.

If the cement product has latex mixed with it then you need to use a special cleaner like the product sold by Bostik called Hydroment Remove.

First step is to determine what the residue is made of and then find the solvent or cleaner for removing it. Next make sure that the cleaner won't harm the surface of the tile being cleaned. Always test the product out first.

Good Luck!

8 thoughts on “How do I clean rough Granite floor?

  1. Donato Pompo says:

    28 girt in the diamond and carbide world is very aggressive and will damage the polish finish of a granite.

    You don’t want to use any type of brush or object that will scratch the surface of the granite if it is a polished surface. You can use the 3M pads that are not too abrasive. If it is a honed or flamed granite surface you can use a more aggressive brush.

  2. Donna J Riddick says:

    i have a pink granite hearth…at seating level. It’s rough slabs. It looks dry…is there anything i can apply that will bring out the color as water does when cleaning?

    • Donato Pompo says:

      There are penetrating sealers called Enhancers. They give more porous stones more of a wet look that enhances the color of the stone. Granite is normally very dense and doesn’t absorb much, but there are stones that have more porosity that are not true granites. Best to buy a small amount and test it out on a piece of the stone.

  3. Bridget W says:

    I have ancient, rough, unsealed granite slabs on our kitchen floor, washing goes on forever as the dirt fills the pores which just refill immediately, so I have given up more than just vacuuming. however, it loos better when clean! what’s the best sort of cleaning machine and is it worth trying to fill the pores? Thank-you!

    • Donato Pompo says:

      True granite is very dense and not vary porous. I assume your granite is a flamed stone or sand blasted. The best way to clean the stone is first use your vacuum to remove any loose material. Then use a scrub brush on an extended handle and add a liquid detergent to your cleaning water to brush the stone. After the initial scrubbing let it sit so the dirt and grim dissolves. Scrub the floor again. Use a wet vacuum to pick up the dirty water. Rinse the floor with clean water, and wet vacuum up that water. Let it dry. Apply a penetrating sealer if you want that can add some limited protection for some limited time, but be sure to buff the wet sealer off the floor with a lint-free cloth.

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