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🍂 Prepare and maintain your soils for autumn and winter

Complete Guide STONE & GROUND

Autumn and winter bring their share of challenges for your soils: humidity, mud, dead leaves, sand, de-icing salt and temperature variations.

All these elements can damage your coatings if certain simple precautions are not taken.

Here is a complete guide from PIERRE & SOL to preserve your indoor and outdoor floors for the long term — whether they are made of natural stone, tiles, concrete, parquet or vinyl.

1️⃣ Prepare the entry area: the first barrier against dirt

The majority of indoor dirt comes from the outside.

Before even thinking about cleaning, the key is to prevent them from getting in.

A well-designed entrance protects your entire home or business building.

👉 Install a DOUBLE cleanliness zone:

  • Outside: a mat or scraper grid traps mud, sand, and small gravel. This prevents them from becoming abrasive under your shoes.
  • Inside: an absorbent mat captures moisture and any remaining residue. Areas near French doors or bay windows can also be fitted with a recessed mat.

📦 Some recommended products:

💡 Tip: For entrances directly accessible from the outside, embed the frame in a bluestone or porcelain stoneware slab for an aesthetic, non-slip and durable finish.

2️⃣ Regular maintenance: the anti-wear routine

Autumn and winter require a higher frequency of maintenance.

Abrasive particles (sand, salt, gravel) can scratch your floors with every step.

A simple, gentle but regular routine is the best protection against premature wear.

✅ To do:

  • Sweep or vacuum regularly in high-traffic areas (entrance, corridor, kitchen, hall, etc.).
  • Wash with a slightly damp mop (never soaking wet).
  • Use a product specifically designed for your type of flooring : natural stone, tiles, parquet, vinyl, PVC, etc.
  • Rinse with clean water to remove any soap residue or deposits.

🚫 To avoid:

  • Too strong, acidic or basic “multi-purpose” cleaners.
  • Products containing chlorine, ammonia, or white vinegar.
  • Hot water on limestone or cemented joints.

📦 Some suitable products available on PIERRE & SOL:

💡 PRO tip: always clean in the direction of natural light to better spot streaks and save product.

💡 Absolute advice: And ABOVE ALL, do not hesitate to immediately clean up any mud, sand, gravel... that may have had the misfortune to enter your home in order to avoid the obvious invasion of your interior floors.

3️⃣ Protect against moisture and scratches

Winter humidity and abrasive particles cause damage that is initially invisible but lasting in the long term:

  • formation of water halos on natural stone,
  • floor swelling
  • micro-scratches on matte vinyl and tiles.

✅ Our recommendations:

  • Attach felt pads under the furniture and chairs.
  • Use a shoe tray to isolate wet shoes.
  • Provide protective covers under office and other rolling chairs .
  • Place an absorbent mat under pet bowls or near wet areas.
  • Protect your joints and porous surfaces with a suitable water or oil repellent.

📦 Useful products:

💡 Tip: Apply your treatments to a clean and completely dry surface, ideally at room temperature. A minimum drying time of 24 hours guarantees optimal protection.

4️⃣ Choose the right products according to your soil type

Each material reacts differently to humidity, frost, and chemicals. Here is a summary table of solutions recommended by Pierre & Sol for the long-term maintenance and protection of each type of flooring:

Soil type Some recommended products Maintenance frequency Pro tip
Natural stone (blue stone, travertine, limestone…) Lithofin MN Wash & Clean 1 to 2 times per week Do not rinse with clean water over the damp film left by the mop.
Interior tiles %C2% 1x per week Apply a protective layer before winter to facilitate maintenance.
Solid or engineered wood flooring Owatrol Oléofloor Natural 1x per month Do not cover the treated surface with carpets or tarpaulins for 14 days after application, to allow the film to harden completely.
Vinyl / PVC Shine-enhancing detergent for plastic floors 1 x 2 to 4 years Apply undiluted and wipe off any excess after 10 minutes.
Outdoor terrace, walkways, thresholds Wash'Guard Express 1 x 1 to 2 years Destroys microorganisms (moss, algae, lichen) and cleans surfaces thoroughly.

💬 In summary: regular maintenance and proper protection are your best allies for getting through the cold season undamaged. Pierre & Sol professional products are tested and approved by industry experts to guarantee durability, aesthetics, and safety.

5️⃣ FAQ Frequently Asked Questions

Before winter: preparing and protecting your soil

  1. Should bluestone or natural stone be protected before frost?
    Absolutely. Clean thoroughly, let it dry, then apply a stain-resistant water repellent to prevent seepage.
    Example: %C3%A9gnation-with-color-enhancement-lithofin.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lithofin Vlekstop PLUS – Natural Stone Stain Protection
  2. How to treat a patio or driveway before winter?
    Clean, apply an anti-foam, then a mineralizing water repellent to limit foam and stains.
    Examples: Wash'Guard Express - Super powerful express cleaner · OWATROL OléoFloor Natural - High-performance non-revitalizing oil
  3. Does underfloor heating help against humidity?
    Yes, it promotes evaporation, but avoid puddles: stagnant moisture can damage the soil.
  4. Can a water repellent be applied to a damp surface?
    No, the surface must be perfectly dry for effective impregnation.

Daily prevention and good habits

  1. Are entrance mats essential?
    Yes. A dual zone (scraping exterior + absorbent interior) retains up to 80% of the dirt.
    Examples: Recessed doormat · Recessed doormat frame
  2. How to avoid scratches caused by sand and furniture?
    Place rugs at entrances and felt pads under furniture legs. Vacuum frequently to prevent micro-scratches.
  3. What can be done about sand and de-icing salt?
    Clean the entry area regularly (vacuum cleaner or broom), then mop with a damp cloth and a pH-neutral cleaner.
    Example: LITHOFIN MN Wash & Clean – Natural stone maintenance cleaner
  4. Why is regular maintenance so important?
    Fine particles (sand, salt) are very abrasive. Removing them frequently preserves the surface and shine of the floor.
  5. De-icing salt is staining my floor, what should I do?
    Rinse thoroughly with clean water, then clean with a neutral product.

Routine maintenance: frequency, products, methods

  1. How often should you clean your floors in winter?
    On average, twice a week. In high-traffic areas or areas with animals, daily cleaning limits wear and tear.
    Example: LITHOFIN MN Wash & Clean – Natural stone maintenance cleaner
  2. Can I use a multi-purpose cleaner?
    No, it risks damaging the protective coating. Use a cleaner specifically designed for the material.
  3. What type of water should I use?
    Warm water, never boiling. Hot water damages certain finishes and protective oils.
  4. My floor is sticky after cleaning, why?
    Excess product or insufficient rinsing. Rinse with clean water, dry with a microfiber cloth.
  5. Which mop should I choose?
    Use a slightly damp, well-wrung microfiber cloth. Do not use a soaking wet mop on parquet or stone floors.

Maintenance according to soil type

  1. How to clean natural stone (limestone, bluestone)?
    pH neutral acid-free cleaner, then hydro/oleophobic protection.
    Example: %C3%A9gnation-with-color-enhancement-lithofin.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lithofin Vlekstop PLUS – Natural Stone Stain Protection
  2. How to protect a parquet floor against moisture?
    Mop slightly damp, no standing water, periodic protective oil application.
    Example: Owatrol Oléofloor – Natural oil for interior parquet flooring
  3. How to maintain a vinyl or PVC floor?
    Specific vinyl cleaner, non-abrasive, quick drying.
    Example: %C3% A9tergen-sols-plastiques-HG">Shin detergent for plastic floors - No. 78
  4. How to clean tile grout?
    Use a special grout cleaner, avoid bleach.
    Example: Lithofin KF Joints-Nets - Alkaline cleaner for wall and floor joints

Exteriors: terraces, walkways, paving stones

  1. My terrace is becoming slippery, what should I do?
    Clean the moss and apply a mineralizing water repellent.
    Example: Wash'Guard Express - Super powerful express cleaner
  2. Is a high-pressure cleaner recommended?
    Yes, on porcelain stoneware, but at low pressure. Not on limestone or cement joints.
  3. When to apply an anti-foam product?
    In autumn on a clean and dry surface, before the wet periods.
  4. How to protect thresholds and entry steps?
    Regular cleaning and application of a non-slip, water-repellent product.
    Examples: Wash'Guard Express - Super powerful express cleaner · OWATROL OléoFloor Natural - High-performance non-revitalizing oil %C3% OléoFloor-Natural-OWATROL">

Common problems and solutions

  1. My floor is becoming dull, why?
    Soap scum or greasy film. Clean with a pH-neutral solution, rinse, then dry.
    Example: %C3%A9gnation-with-color-enhancement-lithofin.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lithofin Vlekstop PLUS – Natural Stone Stain Protection
  2. How to remove greasy or oily stains?
    Use a suitable mild degreaser; never use solvents on limestone.
  3. Do white marks appear after drying?
    Yes, soap or salt residue. Rinse with clean water and dry.
  4. My parquet floor is swollen at the entrance, what should I do?
    Absorbent mat, immediate drying, renew the layer of oil or varnish.
    Example: OWATROL OléoFloor Natural - High-performance non-revitalizing oil

Specific treatments and tips

  1. Is white vinegar suitable?
    No, it's too acidic. It attacks the grout and dulls the stone. Opt for a neutral product.
  2. Is a steam cleaner suitable for all types of flooring?
    No. Suitable for use on compatible tiles/vinyl, but not suitable for parquet flooring or limestone.
  3. How to avoid watermarks?
    Rinse and dry with a microfiber cloth, do not allow to dry naturally.
  4. How to revive the color of an old floor?
    Use a color restorer or intensifier on matte stone or tile.
    Example: MN Color Plus - Intensifies colors and deepens the structure