Ultimate Guide To Cleaning And Protecting Marble

Marble is a beautiful natural stone, but it’s also one of the hardest stones to keep looking good. It scratches and stains easily, which makes it challenging to maintain. But if you don’t take care of your marble properly, you’ll be left with unsightly marks that will make your floors look old and dirty. In this article, we’ll provide the ultimate guide to marble floor and tile cleaning and protecting marble.

Common Marble Surface Problems

Marble has always been a popular choice for home and commercial use. However, it is also one of the more difficult materials to maintain because dirt and other debris can easily get trapped in it. This is because marble is a porous material, which makes it prone to absorbing damaging debris. A few examples of common problems you might encounter with marble surfaces include the following:

• Dulling – Since marble is porous, it can easily absorb liquids which cause the marble to become dull or even become mouldy.
• Staining – Marble stains easily because of its porosity. If you spill red wine on white marbled floors, for example, the stain will be impossible to clean up without professional assistance.
• Scratching and chipping – Marble is known to scratch or chip fairly quickly compared to other materials such as granite that are more resistant to damage.
• Etch marks – As a natural stone, marble can break down when it comes in contact with acidic substances and harmful chemicals like bleach, lemon juice, vinegar, coffee, and more, all of which will cause etch marks. These agents can also cause the marble to deteriorate over time.

How To Protect Your Marble

It’s easy to see that marble is prone to a lot of problems if you are unable to protect it against these different types of damage. Because of that, it’s crucial that you take the necessary protective measures to help sustain the lifespan of your marble.

What steps can you take to protect your marble? Here are some examples of what you can do:

• Avoid moving furniture around on your marble surface. This can result in scratches and chips appearing on your floor.
• Use coasters when placing drinks on marble countertops. Moisture can seep into the marble’s porous surface and leave behind stains. 
• Seal your marble floor. There are many different types of sealants available: waxes provide protection against scratching while polyurethanes create a protective barrier between liquids and spills so spillage doesn’t soak into the surface below.
• Use cleaning solutions specifically designed for marble or natural stone. Most cleaners nowadays often contain harsh chemicals which can damage your marble. 
• Place rugs in high traffic areas to catch dust before it reaches the marble.

Do’s Of Marble Cleaning

While making sure that your marble is protected against potential damage, you will also need to regularly clean and maintain it. Note, however, that marble may require specific cleaning techniques because most traditional cleaning often uses agents or techniques that can be harmful to the marble. Some do’s of keeping your marble clean include the following:

• Do use cleaning products that are specifically designed for marble cleaning. Keep the cleaning solution simple. 
• Do polish your marble to retain its natural glimmering shine.
• Do regularly dust mop countertops, islands, and floors.
• Do blot up spills immediately. It is best to blot a spill rather than wipe it as this can push the spill deeper into the marble.
• Do clean surfaces using a white cloth or a soft sponge.
• Do use coasters for your drinks.

Dont’s Of Marble Cleaning

Just as there are the do’s of marble cleaning, there are also the dont’s. Make sure that you know what not to do when cleaning marble:

• Don’t use abrasive cleaners or chemicals for cleaning marble. Using these agents can dull the marble over time.
• Don’t use alkaline cleaners that are not specifically designed for marble.
• Don’t use tap water to clean marble as it can contain minerals that will not react well with the marble. 
• Don’t place toiletry products on marble countertops, as this can leave spots, rings, and dull areas. 

Other Marble Care Tips

Marble can be a beautiful and durable material for flooring or countertops, but it needs to be cared for properly in order to maintain its appearance. It is a sensitive surface that scratches easily so removal of debris by sweeping with the appropriate equipment should always precede cleaning efforts. 

Always avoid abrasive substances such as steel wool because this can remove the protective layers of marble’s natural patina which will cause more rapid deterioration over time. Use just enough marble-specific detergent solution (diluted) on stubborn stains or tough soil spots without getting any behind the stone. This could lead to discolouration down the line if not cleaned up immediately after application!

Summary

Marble is a beautiful natural stone that has been used for centuries to enhance interior design. However, with the popularity of marble just about everywhere these days, it’s important to know how best to clean and protect this delicate material in order to keep your investment looking new for many years to come.

If you have any questions about cleaning or restoring your marble floor, we recommend consulting with our experts at Slique who can provide more information about how you should care for your marble floor.

For all your marble floor cleaning and polishing needs in Sydney, please call SLIQUE today on 02 9648 0395, or you can leave an inquiry on our contact page.