Is my stone dull because it is dirty or because it needs polishing?

Often both. We deep clean first so we can see the real condition before quoting for honing.

Can vinegar clean natural stone?

Not marble, limestone, or travertine. It etches them while it cleans.

How often should stone floors be deep cleaned?

An entry in a home may need it once a year. Commercial lobbies and washrooms often need it every month or every quarter, depending on traffic.

Will deep cleaning remove stains?

It removes surface dirt. Stains that have soaked in may still need a poultice, and etching needs honing.

Can you remove wax from old terrazzo?

Yes. Stripping wax and acrylic buildup is a standard first step before grinding and polishing terrazzo.

Dirt and buildup in the stone

Deep Stone Cleaning

Stone dulled by ground-in dirt, soap film, and old coatings, deep cleaned so polishing and sealing can do their job.

Get my free quote Call (905) 270-2959

No obligation · We reply within one business day

Dull, grimy travertine floor with ground-in dirt and soap film

What is happening

Sometimes stone that looks damaged is only dirty. Mop water, the wrong cleaners, soap film, and wax trap grime and leave the stone hazy, sticky, or dull. A deep clean strips the buildup so you can see the real stone and decide whether it needs anything more.

What to look for

Signs of built-up grime

01
Stone that looks grey or yellow even after mopping
02
A sticky feel on floors or shower walls
03
A haze that comes back within days of cleaning
04
Dull all over rather than in rings or spots

Common causes

What causes it

The wrong cleaners

Dish soap, vinegar, and all-purpose sprays leave a film, and some damage stone.

Dirty mop water

It pushes grime into the grout and stone.

Wax and coatings

Layers trap dirt, and have to be stripped before polishing or sealing will work.

No professional cleaning

Busy lobbies and shower floors need a deep clean from time to time.

Before you DIY

Mistakes that make it worse

Using vinegar or harsh chemicals, which etch marble and limestone
Adding more wax over dirty stone
Steam cleaning without knowing the stone type, which can drive stains deeper
Polishing before the buildup is stripped

Our process

How we fix built-up grime

01
Identify the buildup
Soap film, wax, dirt, and mineral deposits each need a different cleaner.
02
Strip old coatings
Specialist strippers remove wax and acrylic without harming the stone.
03
Deep clean
pH-neutral or alkaline cleaners, scrubbing, and extraction pull dirt out of the stone and grout.
04
Check the real condition
Once it's clean, we can see whether it needs a poultice, honing, chip repair, or polishing.
05
Seal and set a care routine
A sealer where needed, and the right daily cleaner.

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The service

Maintenance Programs

Regular stone care for commercial buildings.

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Stone types

The stones it affects most

Surfaces

Where it shows up

Shower floors and walls
Entry and kitchen floors
Hotel and condo lobbies
Patios and pool surrounds
Commercial washrooms

When to call a pro

When DIY won't fix it

If any of these sound familiar, send photos and a short description. That is usually enough for us to size up the job before a site visit.

01
Stone still looks dirty after repeated cleaning
02
An unknown wax or coating on the floor
03
Commercial washrooms or lobbies that need regular deep cleaning
04
Getting stone ready for a sale, listing photos, or the end of a renovation

Keep it from coming back

Daily habits and the right products matter as much as the repair, especially on marble, limestone, and travertine.

Browse stone care products

Use a pH-neutral cleaner made for natural stone
Change mop water often
Avoid wax on marble and terrazzo unless your restorer recommends it
Squeegee shower walls and floors after each use

Often mistaken for this, or found with it

Shower floor with dark stained grout lines and soap scum between stone tiles

Grout Restoration

Stained, mouldy, or crumbling grout in showers and wet areas, cleaned or replaced, recaulked, and sealed to keep water out.

Dark oil and wine stains soaked into a light marble countertop

Stone Stain Removal

Oil, wine, rust, and other stains soaked into stone. We identify the stain first so the treatment doesn't do more damage.

Dull, worn marble entry floor that has lost its shine

Dull Stone Polishing

Honing and polishing that bring back the shine on dull floors, counters, showers, and lobbies.

Marble countertop with dull etch rings and cloudy acid marks

Marble Etching

Dull rings and cloudy patches left by wine, citrus, cleaners, and cosmetics. They have to be polished out.

FAQ

Questions about built-up grime

Free quote

Fix built-up grime without replacing your stone.

Send photos of the damage. We'll confirm the stone, explain the fix, and quote the work before we start.

Get my free quote Call (905) 270-2959

No obligation · We reply within one business day

What causes it

The wrong cleaners

Dish soap, vinegar, and all-purpose sprays leave a film, and some damage stone.

Dirty mop water

It pushes grime into the grout and stone.

Wax and coatings

Layers trap dirt, and have to be stripped before polishing or sealing will work.

No professional cleaning

Busy lobbies and shower floors need a deep clean from time to time.

How we fix built-up grime

Identify the buildup

Soap film, wax, dirt, and mineral deposits each need a different cleaner.

Strip old coatings

Specialist strippers remove wax and acrylic without harming the stone.

Deep clean

pH-neutral or alkaline cleaners, scrubbing, and extraction pull dirt out of the stone and grout.

Check the real condition

Once it's clean, we can see whether it needs a poultice, honing, chip repair, or polishing.

Seal and set a care routine

A sealer where needed, and the right daily cleaner.

When DIY won't fix it

If any of these sound familiar, send photos and a short description. That is usually enough for us to size up the job before a site visit.

Stone still looks dirty after repeated cleaning

An unknown wax or coating on the floor

Commercial washrooms or lobbies that need regular deep cleaning

Getting stone ready for a sale, listing photos, or the end of a renovation

Questions about built-up grime