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If you've got marble floors in your home, you know how beautiful they look when they're freshly cleaned and polished. Your floors should last a lifetime, but despite marble's durability, it can be prone to damage if you clean it with the wrong solution or chemicals. Learn how to take care of your marble floor and keep all your marble surfaces glossy and smooth for years to come with our comprehensive guide.
Under intense heat and pressure in the earth's core, limestone breaks down and reforms into marble, which gets its beautiful appearance from the way the limestone recrystallizes. Despite the enormous forces at work creating it, marble can be surprisingly fragile. Because it's formed from high-alkali minerals, it's very susceptible to acid. Even spilling some cranberry sauce on an unprotected marble surface can cause it to corrode.
Surface corrosion eats away at marble's smooth surface and forms what's known as an 'etch.' This might look like a stain that doesn't shift no matter how you scrub it, but a good way to tell the difference is to remember that stains are darker than the original color, whereas etches are lighter. That's because the etch hasn't soaked into the surface of the marble but removed it. Etches are also easier to spot at an angle or under oblique lighting, whereas stains usually look the same no matter how you approach them.
Getting etches in your marble doesn't mean it's ruined forever. You can buy stone cleaning powder, buff out minor etches and scratches, or call a professional to refinish your floor if the damage is very deep.
The best way to keep your marble looking pristine is damage prevention. Learn what can and can't harm your marble floor, and how to clean and treat it to keep it looking beautiful.
Keep your marble floors clean and scratch-free by using the right equipment for the job. Avoid anything rough or sharp that can damage marble's sensitive surface. Soft materials such as chamois cloths and dust mops will protect your marble better than abrasive brushes and sponges. Dry erasers are particularly inadvisable because they work by abrading surfaces to clean them.
Never use vinegar, lemon juice, or other acidic cleaners on marble. Stick with alkali cleaning solutions such as ammonia and hydrogen peroxide, or neutral water, to prevent the marble from reacting or etching.
Before you begin: Remember to keep the color and exact makeup of your marble floor in mind when choosing cleaning solutions. Strong alkalis such as hydrogen peroxide and ammonia can bleach dark marble. Always test any cleaner on an inconspicuous area first. Whenever you're cleaning marble, begin with a neutral solution such as water or a pH balanced marble cleaner, and only use stronger solutions if absolutely necessary. When you've finished cleaning your marble floor, always flush the area with plain water to neutralize the pH of any residual chemicals, and dry thoroughly afterwards.
Start cleaning your marble floors by preparing the surface thoroughly. Remove any dust or dirt carefully using a clean, dry cloth, or a soft dust mop. Don't drag the cloth or brush hard across the surface or you run the risk of creating scratches in your floor. Even sand can scratch unfinished marble, so imagine the damage a small pebble could do. Make sure to pay particular attention to corners, doorways, and other places where dust and dirt can accumulate. Try to always brush in one direction to minimize the impact on your floor.
Follow the sweeping by mopping the floor to remove any final traces of dust and dirt. You can use plain water for this, or for a more thorough clean look for a gentle, non-acidic cleaner designed for use on marble surfaces. If the mop water becomes discolored, change it to prevent smearing dirt across your clean floor.
To clean the floor, use a diluted ammonia solution. Make a solution of 0.5-cup ammonia to 1 gallon of warm water. Remember ammonia has a strong odor and should only be used in well-ventilated areas. Open a window, don't spend long in the room after applying the solution, and leave it for a couple of hours to dissipate before reentering.
Don't soak your marble floor in cleaning solution. Wring any excess liquid from your mop or cloth before washing the floor. As soon as you're finished, dry the floor with a soft towel to prevent watermarks or rust stains, which can be left behind on marbles that contain iron oxide when it comes into contact with water.
If your marble is very dirty, you can make a stronger cleaning solution by combining 2 tablespoons of ammonia with a quart of water, or mix baking soda with ammonia or hydrogen peroxide to make a paste. Apply gently and never scrub your marble or use abrasive tools like brushes or scourers, as they will only scratch the surface. Make sure to flush the area thoroughly with water after half an hour to neutralize the pH and remove every last trace of the cleaning solution.
If your marble has oily marks in it, try applying cornstarch to the stain and leave it to draw out the stain. Once finished, rinse the area with plain water and dry thoroughly to keep your marble protected.
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It's not recommended to use polish on your marble. Not only can it damage the surface, but marble is so smooth that a polished floor can be dangerously slippery. Instead use a dry towel or chamois cloth to remove residual water or cleaners from your marble floor. If you want a higher shine on your cleaned floor, you can make a paste from 50/50 water and baking soda and spread it gently over the marble. Allow it to dry, then remove the residue with more water and a soft cloth.
It's important to take care of your marble and clean it regularly in order to keep it in its best condition. As a rule of thumb, give it a dry clean with a soft cloth or dust mop once per week for each person or pet in your household. For a single-person home, weekly sweeping should be enough. If you have two people, dust the floor twice a week. For four people and a couple of dogs, you'll probably have to dust the floor every day. This reduces the amount of dirt that can build up on the floor and helps keep your marble free from scratches and looking good.
If anything spills on your marble floor, be sure to remove it immediately to prevent stains from soaking in. Marble is a porous rock, meaning it can absorb liquid, and getting marks out again can be difficult. Blot any stains, don't rub them! Flush spills with plenty of water to neutralize the pH and reduce the chances of stains or etches. This is particularly important for acids such as tomato, citrus, vinegar, and coffee.
In high-traffic areas, consider investing in rugs to cover and protect your marble floor.
There are many specialist marble cleaners available that are alkali or pH neutral in order to protect the surface from stains or etches. However you can still use household supplies to make DIY marble cleaners that won't cause any damage.
Regular dish soap makes a good cleaner for marble floors. Use a very dilute solution in order to prevent streaks, and gently buff the floor afterward to dry it and remove any residue.
Hydrogen peroxide is great for removing tough stains on light colored marble. Remember it can act as a bleaching agent and discolor dark marble, so always test an inconspicuous area first. Hydrogen peroxide works best on organic stains, biological, and water-based such as fruit juice or washable marker pens. You can use a strong solution and leave it overnight to work on the stain before washing the marble clean.
Found in most nail polish removers, acetone has similar cleaning properties to hydrogen peroxide, but with the added bonus that it doesn't discolor dark marble. Use a cotton swap dipped in acetone to gently work out stains, and wash the area with plenty of plain water afterward.
The power of cornstarch is in its ability to soak up liquids. If you get a spill on marble that's tough to remove, such as oil or coffee, cover it with cornstarch and leave it overnight. The starch will draw out fluid from the marble and absorb it, so you can wash it clean the next morning.
Another natural alkali cleaner you might find in your kitchen is baking soda. This makes a great cleaner by mixing with water, ammonia, or hydrogen peroxide until it forms a paste and then applying it to marble. Let the mixture dry and then flush the area with lots of water.
Ammonia is probably the strongest household solution you can use on marble before you need to resort to professional solutions or call in the experts. Always make sure to use ammonia in well-ventilated areas and dilute it before use. Half a cup of ammonia per gallon of water makes a good cleaning solution.
Different marble floor stains respond best to different treatment. Here's how to identify the most common, and the right cleaner to use to remove them.
You can get oil on your marble floor from a variety of sources, such as stepping in engine oil, spilling cooking oil, or dropping your lipstick. Oily stains are usually dull, dark splotches in your marble that permeate deep into the stone. To remove them, you need to draw them out.
Use a dilute solution of dish soap to break up fresh spills and prevent them damaging your marble, and cornstarch to absorb as much oil as you can from both clean and established stains. To break down really tough stains, use hydrogen peroxide on light marble, or acetone for dark marble. After cleaning the stain, always flush the area with water and dry it with a soft towel.
Ink is tough to get out of any material. The moment you spill ink on your marble floor, act immediately to blot up the excess, then wash with diluted dish soap to break up the dye. Apply a cloth soaked with rubbing alcohol to the area to further break down and absorb the ink, and use diluted ammonia to remove the last of the stain.
If your dog pees on the marble floor, or your kids spill a glass of OJ, don't panic. Blot up as much of the stain as you can as soon as possible. Don't rub the stain, you'll only spread it or force it into the stone. Use hydrogen peroxide or a dilute solution of ammonia to break up and remove organic stains.
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If you've got potted plants on your marble floor, or an indoor water feature, you might notice algae, lichens, mosses, and other greenery growing where they aren't wanted. Plants can stain your marble so carefully remove them and clean the area with a diluted hydrogen peroxide solution or acetone to break down the biological matter and prevent more from growing. Also take steps to protect your floor by moving plants and lowering humidity in the area where your green invaders were growing.
Because marble is made from lots of different elements, some marbles contain metals that can cause stains to appear on the surface of your floor. Iron, copper, and bronze are all found in marble and can stain if they get wet. Look for reddish brown or green patches to identify them.
Unfortunately because the stains come from within the marble, they can be incredibly difficult to remove. Try using a poultice made of baking soda and ammonia, but don't expect miracles.
The most common marks you'll see on your marble floor are watermarks or cleaning solution streaks. The best way to remove them is to buff the surface with a soft, dry cloth such as a chamois. Use a circular motion and you'll have your floor gleaming again in no time.
Knowing how to whip up a quick cleaning poultice is a handy trick for anyone. This poultice is safe for use removing stains on most surfaces, although you should always test a spot first to check for discoloration.
A poultice is simply a cleaning paste that can be spread onto a stained area and left to dry. Depending on the poultice ingredients and the stain, it can work by drawing the stain out of the marble, or breaking it down.
Make a basic poultice by combining baking soda with water, hydrogen peroxide, or ammonia, until it forms the consistency of peanut butter. You will need about 1 pound of baking soda for every square foot of stain, and it will require about a cup of solvent to reach the right consistency, but the mixture can be scaled up/down to suit your needs.
Clean as much of the initial stain as possible, and then cover the area in a thin layer of water. This will help the poultice penetrate the marble and really get to work on the stain. Apply the poultice, covering the stain to the depth of quarter to half an inch, and spread an inch beyond the edges of the stain.
Cover the poultice with plastic wrapping, tape down with masking tape for extra security, and leave it until it's completely hardened (about 2 days).
Once the poultice has completely dried, remove the protective wrapping and add half a cup of water to dampen it again. Remove it carefully, using a plastic or wooden spatula if necessary. Clean the surface underneath with plenty of water and dry with a soft towel.
Marble can be tricky to clean, but by following our tips and being careful about the solutions you use, you can keep your marble floors clean and protected for years, without spending a fortune on expensive cleaners and materials.
To maintain and care for your Marble Floor you need to understand: Marble is a natural Lime Stone that has been transformed, through heat, pressure and time. Delivering a beautiful and durable building material that gives one of the most beautiful Floor coverings in the word. Strong and Sturdy as it is, it is also very porous and stains easily.
To do this first we need to
determinate whether your Marble is: Natural or Cultured.
There are three basic methods you can use to do this all listed below.
Temperature method: Acid method: Scratch method:
If you are unsure, proceed as thought the Marble is Natural, so you don`t cause damage.
NATURAL MARBLE
Removing any existing stains. Marble is highly porous; stains are caused when liquid seeps into the stone and get trapped. Common spillages like juice, wine, sauces, cooking oils and coffee will all stain your marble surface. To remove fresh stains, use a Damp Microfiber Cloth with warm water and Neutral Detergent, gently rubbing the stain until the area is clean. Then rinse thoroughly.
Removing Stubborn Stains: Dampen Marble with water then apply a few drops of a cleaning chemical, we recommend using Sancitro. Gently rub in with a Stiff Bristled Brush and rising thoroughly, sometimes stubborn stains might require two or three applications.
Always ensure the surface is rinsed thoroughly to avoid damaging the Marble.
Polishing: After stain removal is complete, before Polishing make sure you have a clean dry surface as Marble is soft and scratches easily, and you don't want to damage it while polishing. Always use a clean, dry Microfiber cloth to gently remove any remaining dirt, dust and grit. If needed rinse well with clean, damp Microfiber cloth then dry the surface well with a clean cloth.
Eco Polishing of your Marble: Use a mixture of Baking Soda and water as a polish. Combine (45 g) of baking soda to (0.9 L) of water and mix well. Then using a clean cloth, apply the mixture to your surface in a thin layer. Allow to dry for about 5 hours. After which using a Microfiber Cloth and warm water to rinse the marble surface you are now ready to dry buff the marble using a clean microfiber or chamois cloth, gently wipe down the marble in wide, circular motions. Move in progressively smaller circles as the surface dries.
For Future Protection Add a Sealant:
Using Sealer N or Lapicur will prevent stains and offer protection to your Marble surface. Follow the instructions carefully. The steps below are for general guidance only.
1. Tape off any areas around the marble surface that are not to be sealed - wood trim, chrome or stainless steel. Use masking tape or plumber's tape.
2. Apply three Coats of Lapicur or Sealer N using a dry clean Flat Microfiber Mop one coat at a time allowing to dry in between coats. For best results use a burnisher in between coats to extend the life of the Sealer giving you a better High Gloss Finish with Ultra Non-Slip properties.
3. By Burnishing you do not have to allow the marble to cure for 6-8 hours, during this time do not use the surface as it is easily damaged if you don't burnish.
4. Lapicur should be reapplied every 1-2 years, depending on how much traffic your marble surface receives.
Cultured Marble
Cultured marble is much easier to clean than natural marble. Cultured marble is manufactured with a protective coating that makes it much less prone to scratches and damage. However, it still requires attention and care.
1. Remove any stains. Scrub surface stains using a brush with nylon bristles and a Non- Abrasive Scouring Pads.
2. To remove hard water stains, spray Sancitro on the surface and gentle rub in for 5-10minutes then rinse with plain water and wipe with a damp cloth to remove any residue.
3. For general cleaning use Purito or WiWa both are Non Abrasive and Non Streaking floor cleaners designed to give a High Gloss finish in high traffic areas.
4. Polish your Marble. Although this is not necessary as cultured Marble is manufactured with a sealed surface it is recommended to apply a Protective Sealant (Lapicur) every 1 to 2 years to help prevent stains.
5. To give added protection to your Marble Floor from stains and scratches it is recommended to use Dust Control Mats, and to regularly dust and clean your Marble Floors.
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