Cleaning up interior flagstones.

[pineapple]

Renovating a cottage circa 1750 and discovered lovely old flags (assuming limestone) underneath the carpet in the kitchen and lounge. Don't know if they are laid on earth but they are as dry as a bone.
What's the best way of cleaning them up and bringing out the colour?
I'm assuming if I seal them it could create a damp problem?

 

[88v8]

That's a nice discovery.
Similar discussion here
https://www.periodproperty.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=14232&p=195162&hilit=cleaning+stone+floor#p195162

Ivor

 

[Penners]

Before you spend any money on specialist stone cleaners, try getting down on your hands and knees and giving the floor a good scrub with a stiff scrubbing brush and a floor cleaner - something like Flash (diluted as per instructions on the bottle). I think you'll be amazed at how much muck you get off.

 

[Keith Bowman]

Before you spend any money on specialist stone cleaners, try getting down on your hands and knees and giving the floor a good scrub with a stiff scrubbing brush and a floor cleaner - something like Flash (diluted as per instructions on the bottle). I think you'll be amazed at how much muck you get off.

Very good advice but if the stones really are limestone - or even marble! - don't use any type of cleaner designed to get rid of limescale. Plain old fashioned soap should be safe enough

 

[Penners]

Good point, Keith! Pineapple won't want a fizzy floor!!

 

[pineapple]

Thanks folks. I'm probably jumping the gun a bit as the house will be like a building site a while yet. Will consider the Flash!
PS we now think they are Yorkshire stone.