General Cleaning - Expert Removal & Treatment Guide
General Cleaning - Expert Removal & Treatment Guide
What is General Cleaning?
General cleaning (also called deep cleaning or intensive cleaning) goes beyond daily maintenance to remove accumulated dirt, grime, soap residue, and general soiling that builds up over time. Even well-maintained stone and tile surfaces need periodic deep cleaning to restore their original appearance.
Deep cleaning is recommended every 3-6 months for high-traffic areas (kitchen floors, commercial spaces) and annually for lower-traffic surfaces. It prepares the surface for re-sealing and removes the build-up that regular mopping cannot address.
The approach differs significantly between stone types. Acid-sensitive stones require alkaline or pH-neutral cleaners, while acid-resistant stones like granite can tolerate a wider range of cleaning products. The key is matching the cleaner's chemistry to the stone's composition.
How to Identify It
The surface looks darker or duller than when new. Stone has lost its lustre. Grout lines are darker than original colour. White or light-coloured stone appears grey or yellowed. Running a damp white cloth across the surface picks up brown or grey residue. If a freshly mopped floor dries with a hazy film, you have product build-up.
Common Causes
- Accumulated foot traffic dirt
- Soap and detergent build-up from daily cleaning
- Cooking grease and food splashes (kitchen areas)
- Body oils and cosmetics (bathroom areas)
- Hard water mineral deposits
- Environmental pollution (outdoor surfaces)
Prevention
- Use proper pH-neutral daily maintenance products
- Place doormats at entrances to reduce tracked-in dirt
- Clean spills promptly before they set
- Avoid household cleaners that leave residue (many supermarket products do)
- Seal stone properly - sealed surfaces resist soiling better
Treatment by Surface Type
Natural Stone
Risk level: Low
Use Lithofin MN Power-Clean diluted 1:5 to 1:10. Apply with mop or sponge, leave 5-10 minutes, scrub with soft brush, rinse with clean water. For heavily soiled areas, use undiluted and scrub more vigorously.
- Never use acid-based cleaners on marble, limestone, or travertine
- Do not use household bleach - it can discolour stone
- Avoid abrasive scrubbing pads on polished surfaces
Ceramics
Risk level: Low
Use Lithofin KF Intensive Cleaner diluted 1:5 to 1:20 depending on soiling level. Apply, leave 5 minutes, scrub, rinse. For stubborn build-up on unglazed tiles, use Lithofin KF Ceramic-Clean.
- Unglazed porcelain tiles may require stronger solution
- Test on textured tiles to ensure cleaning reaches recesses
Artificial Stone
Risk level: Low
Use Lithofin MN Power-Clean or Lithofin WEXA depending on surface. Dilute 1:5, apply, scrub, rinse. For concrete pavers outdoors, use Lithofin MN Outdoor Cleaner.
- Quartz composite should only be cleaned with pH-neutral to mildly alkaline products
- Concrete can absorb strong cleaners - rinse thoroughly
Cotto Terracotta
Risk level: Low
Use Lithofin KF Intensive Cleaner diluted 1:10. Pre-wet surface, apply cleaner, scrub with brush, rinse. For sealed/waxed cotto, use Lithofin Cotto Easy-Clean.
- Cotto is very porous - cleaning solution will be absorbed quickly
- Pre-wet the surface to limit absorption
- Avoid over-wetting unsealed cotto
When to Call a Professional
If the stone has severe build-up from years of improper cleaning products, or if the surface has been permanently damaged by abrasive cleaners, a professional can assess whether deep cleaning or restoration (honing/polishing) is needed.
Find the right product
Use our Lithofinder to get a personalised product recommendation for your specific surface and problem.