Marble is one of the most sought-after stones for home renovation projects due to its unique features and benefits. It is associated with luxury and has a sophisticated appearance.
As much as marble supports many amazing qualities, it can be hard to maintain due to its soft structure. This makes marble susceptible to certain damages more than other stones with a harder composition. As long as you pay attention to these tips, your marble will maintain its beauty. Keep reading to learn how to clean marble.
How to clean marble? (Step by Step)
To learn how to clean marble countertops and floors, you can follow these steps:
1. First and foremost, dust the marble surfaces. You can use a dust mop or a microfiber cloth to remove the loose dirt and debris that has accumulated on the marble countertops or floors.
Make sure to use a soft cloth that doesn’t have an abrasive surface. This should be done even if you aren’t planning to have a full cleaning session as the debris accumulated on the surface can cause scratches.
2. Then, prepare a cleaning solution that consists of mild dish soap and warm water. This solution will be gentle yet strong enough for regular cleaning. Dip the microfiber cloth into the soapy water mixture, and make sure to wring our excess water to ensure that the cloth is saturated with the cleaning mixture, but isn’t dripping. Gently wipe the area while paying extra attention to not harshly scrubbing it.
Alternatively, you can use stone cleaners which are designed with the vulnerabilities of the stone in mind to effectively clean your marble counters or floors. Use a clean dry cloth to thoroughly dry the surface to prevent water spots and streaks that can occur if the stone is left to air dry.
Drying the marble surfaces is especially important for areas with hard water because if hard water is left on the marble to air dry on its own, it will cause mineral buildup over time which will be hard to clean.
3. To prevent stains or bacteria, you should periodically reseal the countertops. The sealant will create a barrier that protects the natural stone. Therefore, dirt and spills won’t seep into the stone resulting in unwanted consequences. This is one of the most important parts of marble maintenance that will prove to be worthwhile in the long run.
4. Moreover, care for your marble surfaces by being gentle with them. Don’t cut directly on the countertops, instead use cutting boards. Don’t drag heavy items or furniture across marble countertops, lift them or provide a soft barrier between the item and the flooring. This way, your marble surfaces will last for a longer time.
Best cleaners for marble
Selecting the right cleansing agent for your marble surfaces is an important step for maintaining its beauty and longevity. You should choose cleaners that are pH-neutral, preferably ones that are designed specifically with natural stones in mind. These specialized stone cleaners are better equipped to protect the integrity of the stone and they are widely available in most stores.
They are a convenient option as you won’t have to worry about whether they are harming the stone while using them as cleaners.
Alternatively, you can use mild dish soap as an easy option for daily cleaning. Dish soap is exceptional at cutting through oil and grime, making it a proficient yet gentle option for marble countertops.
You should always steer clear of abrasive or harsh cleaners such as bleach. They will weaken the stone over time and cause damage to its structure.
How do you remove stains from marble?
If you are dealing with stains on your marble surfaces, the first step is to determine the type of stain it is and what caused it. Common culprits include food, beverages, and oils. If the spill has just occurred, blot the area immediately to remove the excess liquid and to prevent further staining.
For stains that are caused by coffee, wine, tea, or other similar organic matters, you can use a hydrogen peroxide mixture. Don’t apply hydrogen peroxide directly on the marble as it will be too strong, mix it with water beforehand. Commonly, one part hydrogen peroxide to one part water is the recommended amount.
Use a soft cloth or sponge to apply the mixture to the surface of the countertops or floors, and gently rub the area. Make sure that the solution saturates the entirety of the stained area.
Let the mixture sit for 10-15 minutes so that it can penetrate the stain and break it down thoroughly. Afterward, wipe it with a clean cloth, rinse the area to ensure there isn’t any residue, and dry completely.
Can you clean marble with vinegar?
Although vinegar is a beloved cleaning material that is versatile and has a lot of purposes, it isn’t a suitable cleaning material for marble. Marble shouldn’t come into direct contact with acidic substances such as lemon or vinegar. This is to ensure the longevity of the marble surfaces as they can cause harm to the stone over an extended period.
The acidity can interact with the calcium carbonate that is abundant in marble. This reaction results in marble etching and losing its shine.
After continuous exposure, it can also lead to structural damages on top of the visual ones. Instead, use pH-neutral ones so that your marble surfaces will be able to withstand wear and tear for a longer amount of time. Moreover, always try new cleaners on a small part of the marble before using them on the whole surface to ensure it isn’t too harsh for the stone.
Does baking soda clean marble?
Baking soda is a great stain remover for marble surfaces. If you are dealing with a stubborn stain that you weren’t able to remove with the hydrogen peroxide mixture, you can try the baking soda method. This method consists of creating a paste and letting it sit on the stained area until it dissolves the stain.
To do this, mix baking soda with a little bit of water to create a thick paste. The paste should be similar to toothpaste consistency.
Apply this on the marble floors or countertops, cover it with plastic wrap, and let it sit for a few hours. After a few hours have passed, let some of the paste to check if the stain is gone. If it isn’t you can leave it for longer while checking on it every once in a while until the stain is removed. Afterward, you can wipe the paste away with paper towels and thoroughly rinse the area.
In short, the steps on how to clean marble surfaces can be very easy and fuss-free as long as you keep a few simple tricks in mind. Properly resealing the marble is an integral step that will make your countertops and floors very easy to clean and maintain. Using suitable materials will ensure that your surfaces will be able to withstand the daily wear and tear for a long time.
