Stones and parquet: professional tips for impeccable maintenance
When thinking about home maintenance, the first thing that comes to mind are time-worn systems, fixtures, and appliances in need of a thorough seasonal clean.
The large surfaces of the home, perpetually under our eyes, can go almost unnoticed from this perspective. Floors and walls , however, especially if we've chosen natural or particularly delicate materials, require the same care reserved for swimming pools, gardens, and heating systems.
Although it may seem like you don't use them at all, these surfaces constantly accumulate dust, vapors, and traces of our time spent at home. Therefore, it's essential to schedule regular maintenance , as well as a cleaning routine appropriate for the different materials.
Floors and coverings: the importance of maintenance
Wooden floors , natural stone cladding , and exposed brick walls are elements that define the aesthetics of a home and set a certain tone for domestic spaces: a stylistic choice, which, however, cannot ignore functionality.
Over time, in fact, natural materials such as wood and stone undergo inevitable aging , which not only affects the specific characteristics of the material, but also the various treatments applied over the years.
Let's take wood for example: parquet can discolour or begin to show darker spots due to humidity, temperature changes or the effect of UV rays , and this directly depends on its properties.
However, along with the wood, the old treatments it has been subjected to also age: the protective oils tend to dry out more and more, while the waxes wear away, leaving behind a dull floor that is more prone to absorbing dirt.
In this sense, surface maintenance becomes doubly important: not only does it allow you to maintain the original appearance of the materials, but it also ensures that floors and coverings are adequately protected against dirt, wear and tear and humidity.
Professional tips for effective maintenance
So-called extraordinary maintenance , that is, the kind performed annually or seasonally, allows you to renew the surfaces of your home thanks to two fundamental steps: deep cleaning and the application of oils, waxes, and other protective treatments that restore the materials to their original splendor and facilitate subsequent cleaning operations.
However, good home maintenance also involves some good daily habits:
- regular cleaning: removing dust with a vacuum cleaner or a microfiber cloth is very important for the good sealing of floors, regardless of the material. The very small debris that accumulates on the surface, in fact, can scratch the floor and attract new dirt;
- choice of right products: on natural floors it is important to use neutral detergents with a balanced pH, possibly natural and low foaming. Wood and stone, in particular, can be irreparably damaged by acidic or aggressive products;
- protection from sunlight: materials such as wood, marble and natural stone can discolour if exposed to UV rays for a long time. At home, curtains and rugs can be used to minimise the risks, but if these materials are outdoors they must be protected with a specific treatment;
- cleaning of joints: the Regular cleaning of joints, where present, is essential to avoid the accumulation of dirt and mould which can ruin the floor and make cleaning operations more complex;
- stubborn, acidic or oily stains: in case of stubborn stains or domestic accidents that damage porous surfaces such as wood, terracotta or marble, it is essential to act as soon as possible to prevent the substance from penetrating deeply. In any case, to eliminate the most difficult stains it is important to rely on specific products, to be used according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Extraordinary maintenance of parquet
Regular maintenance is the key to a wooden floor that always looks perfect, especially if we are talking about oiled parquet : unlike what happens with varnished floors, in fact, the oil treatment can (and must) be renewed periodically.
Impregnating waxes and oils penetrate deep into the wood fibres, modifying their internal structure: this type of protection, which saturates the natural porosity of the wood, makes the parquet resistant to scratches, stains and humidity , and provides the material with the nutrients that keep it elastic and resistant to wear.
Over time, however, the oil is absorbed by the wood: the parquet begins to look dull and opaque, daily cleaning becomes more time-consuming, and the floor is increasingly exposed to stains and moisture. Therefore, the protective treatment should be renewed at least once a year.
The good news is that, with the right products and a little attention, this operation can be carried out even without bothering the professionals in the sector.
New Chemical's Nutro-Parquet , for example, is very simple to use : simply apply a thin coat of product to a clean, dry floor using a brush and a cotton (or microfiber) cloth. The wax, also ideal for varnished parquet, dries in just an hour and doesn't require polishing.
Caring for external natural stone
Paving, walkways, and flagstones made of marble and other natural stones are particularly popular for outdoor spaces that require an elegant yet authentic look.
Exposing these materials to sunlight and weather, however, comes at a price: direct exposure to sunlight can discolor and degrade the surface, while the mineral salts present in the stone can migrate to the surface and form visible white efflorescence.
Freezing and thawing cycles can then create actual cracks over time – a problem that especially affects highly porous stones such as rough marble and sandstone.
To protect exterior stone from the elements, it's necessary to periodically seal the material with a water- and oil-repellent impregnator like Stone K-600 by New Chemical . Its slow-evaporation formula ensures deep impregnation that resists abrasion and provides long-lasting protection from stains and UV rays , without creating surface films or altering the color of the materials.
Ideal for polished or honed marble, granite, and porcelain stoneware, it can be used on smooth, matte, or antiqued surfaces (even vertical ones) and is very easy to apply with a brush or soft cloth.
