How to Remove Tough Stains From Hard Surface Floors

The condition of your floors tells a story—either that your hotel makes cleaning a priority or that maintenance is an afterthought. To help you set the right tone and prevent long-term damage, we’ve compiled a list of hard surface floor cleaning hacks our team uses to tackle even the most stubborn stains. Here they are.

Hard Surface Floor Cleaning Techniques

Like most hotels, yours likely features a variety of hard surfaces, from marble and porcelain tile to natural hardwood. Here are the most common hard surface floor cleaning challenges and how we address them.

Hard Surface Floor Cleaning Challenge 1: Oil & Grease

• For marble: Cornstarch can often lift the stain if you’re dealing with a recent oil or grease stain that hasn’t set or penetrated the surface. Simply sprinkle corn starch on the area and allow it to sit for 15 minutes. Then wipe the surface clean.
  • If the stain has set, use a mixture of dish detergent with a few drops of acetone or ammonia. Spray the mixture and allow it to sit for 15 minutes. Next, blot the surface with a paper towel to lift the stain.
• For porcelain tile: Create a paste using baking soda and water. Apply to the affected area and allow it to sit for 15 minutes, and then scrub the area with a soft brush or sponge. For stubborn stains, create a cleaning solution that is equal parts water and vinegar. Apply, allow it to sit without drying, and scrub with a soft brush.
• For hardwood floor cleaning: Sprinkle baking soda onto the stain and let it sit for a few minutes. Blot the area with a damp rag.

Hard Surface Floor Cleaning Challenge 2: Rust & Mineral Stains

• For marble: For light stains that have not fully penetrated the surface, dampen a Magic Eraser and lightly scrub in a circular motion. For stubborn stains, prepare a mixture of baking soda and water. Apply the paste and allow it to sit for 24 hours before removing with a cloth. If neither method works, try a commercial marble cleaning product—and be sure to check out our essential marble floor cleaning guide.
• For porcelain tile: If the tile is non-porous, apply lemon juice to the stain and cover with coarse salt. Allow the mixture to sit for up to an hour for stubborn stains. Next, rub the area with a sponge. If this method does not work, apply a paste made from baking soda and lemon, allow it to sit for 10-15 minutes, and wipe clean.
• For hardwood floor cleaning: Dampen a cloth and wipe the stained area until there is no more rust transfer. If the spot is still visible, lightly spray a neutral pH cleaner onto the floor and wipe clean.
  • If this does not remove the stain, pour a capful of isopropyl alcohol or mineral spirits onto the area. Allow it to sit for one minute, then lightly brush with a medium bristle brush. Apply clean water, and wipe clean. If successful, it is essential to neutralize the cleaner with a pH-neutral cleaner and wipe clean.

Hard Surface Floor Cleaning Challenge 3: Paint Stains

• For marble: Typically, soap and water will remove latex-based paint. However, lifting oil-based paints may require a solvent or isopropyl alcohol.
• For porcelain tile: Fill a bucket with vinegar, drop in a clean rag, and allow it to soak. Lay the soaked cloth over the stain and allow it to sit for two or three hours. Once the paint has softened, use a plastic scraper to remove.
• For hardwood flooring: To remove latex paint, you’ll need a plastic scraper, warm water, dish soap, and a cleaning cloth. Begin by scraping as much paint as you can without damaging the floor. Next, mix warm water with dish soap, dampen a clean cloth in the water, and rub the paint stain. Finish by wiping the area with a clean towel.

Hard Surface Floor Cleaning Challenge 4: Organic Stains

• For marble: To address organic stains like coffee and wine, create a poultice of baking soda and water. Apply, cover with plastic wrap, and allow it to sit for 12-24 hours. Then, wipe clean.
• For porcelain tile: Create a paste by mixing baking soda and water or hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. Apply the paste, allow it to rest for 10-15 minutes, and then scrub with a soft brush. Rinse.
• For hardwood flooring: Mix a mild dish soap with water, dampen a clean cloth with the mixture, and gently wipe the area. For stubborn stains, apply a paste of baking soda and water and allow it to rest for 10 minutes. Wipe clean. While hydrogen peroxide is an effective stain remover, treat it as a last resort, testing in inconspicuous areas first.

Prevention Tips

When it comes to cleaning hard surface floors, prevention is always preferred. We recommend:

• Installing multiple mats for all exterior doors—an abrasive one outside to catch dirt and salt, a secondary mat directly inside the entrance, and a third interior rug to wipe and clean shoes.
• Maintaining a frequent sweeping and mopping schedule, especially in high-traffic areas.
• Sealing all porous surfaces according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
• Placing protective pads under chairs and furniture legs to prevent scratching.
• Partnering with a hard surface professional for regular maintenance or scheduling seasonal deep cleans to address issues before they become permanent problems.

We Transform Floors From Tired to Tremendous!

Ready to take a proactive approach to maintaining your hard surfaces? Hotel Cleaning Services offers professional hard floor cleaning services that will not only help you prevent damage but also restore tired surfaces that have lost their luster. Contact us today to get started!