You love your stone floors but sometimes you wonder if they will last. Stone floor care is relatively easy but you know that anything can happen—spills, dirt and natural wear and tear can change the appearance of your floors. Here's an exercise to ease your mind. Go online and look at the Roman Coliseum. That building, which has stood for centuries, is made of travertine, one of the most popular stones used for floors and stone fixtures in homes today. While stone today is often seen as a luxury, centuries ago it was the main building material. The Coliseum and these buildings have stood the test of time—with proper stone care.



• Djoser's Step Pyramid. This is believed to be the world's oldest stone structure, built in Egypt in 27th century B.C. The pyramid built for the Pharaoh Djoser, is 203 feet high.

• Cawdor's Castle. Located in Northern Scotland, this castle was built in the 1300s. The building is made of sandstone mixed with other types of stone.

• Washington Monument. The most recognizable marble structure in the nation's capital and the world's tallest stone structure was completed in 1884 after nearly 30 years of construction. Made of marble, granite and sandstone, the monument honors the nation's first president. Washington, D.C. has many stone structures throughout the city.

• The Georgia State Capitol. The Peach State's capitol ironically is made out of Mississippian limestone from Indiana. Opening in 1889, this Atlanta building has retained its natural beauty.

• Innsbruck's Cathedral of St. Jakob in Austria. Completed in 1724, this beautiful building features unusual textures and colors of stone found nowhere else in the world.

When adding stone floors or counter tops to your home, don't assume that they will remain timeless without some care. If you want your floors and fixtures to retain their beauty, follow these easy cleaning tips:

• Use the dust mop frequently. You want to keep lint, dust and small trash off the stone surfaces.

• If you have marble, limestone, travertine or onyx, remember that acidic products can damage the surface. The same is true for bathroom cleaners with acid or cleaners that are described as ‘abrasive.'

• The preferred cleaner for stone floors and fixtures is stone soap but you can use a mild detergent.

• After you have cleaned the floors, make sure you dry them thoroughly to prevent water damage.

• Never mix floor cleaning chemicals together. Not only can this damage your stone surfaces but the odor can make you sick.

• If you do have a spill, clean it up immediately so that it will not mar the floor's finish.

Contact a Scottsdale stone floor care specialist if you have questions about how to care for your surfaces. A specialist can explain to you the best way to maintain your floors including sealing your floors and honing the surfaces. With proper care, your stone floors will remain as beautiful as the stone in the world's finest buildings!