Unlock the Secrets | How to Clean Your Marble Floors Like a Pro!
Unlock the Secrets | How to Clean Your Marble Floors Like a Pro!
Many people prefer to have Marble floors due to their classy appearance associated with luxury and timeless appearance. But they have to be properly cleaned so as not to be damaged in the process of making them beautiful.
With these instructions on how to clean marble floors, you can ensure that your floors retain their natural sheen and do not show signs of scratching, staining, or dullness.
Marble is a relatively porous and relatively soft stone which means that it will respond to some cleaners and techniques. To increase the longevity of your floors and keep them looking as good as new, there are certain correct approaches to cleaning and maintaining them.
In this guide, these step-by-step sections are included; marble floor cleaning basics, tips that are often best to stick to while cleaning a marble floor, and how to maintain a new-like appearance for your marble.
Understanding Marble: Why It Requires Special Care
However, to analyze the methods of cleaning, the reader must acquaint himself with the reasons why marble necessitates special attention.
Marble is simply a limestone that has been changed by the processes of heat and pressure over time to become the veined stone we recognize. Its porous nature makes it susceptible to:
Stains: Marble absorbs liquids, and any type of spillage esp. acidic, can cause permanent staining of the material.
Scratches: The marbles are very soft compared to other types of stones and they get scratched too easily by debris and abrasive cleaning materials.
Etching: Of course, with time, they stain and dull, leaving ugly swirl marks, while more acidic materials such as lemon juice, vinegar, and even harsh cleaning agents can pit the marble’s surface.
With this in mind, it’s important to clean your marble floors with specific tools and chemicals that will keep the marble looking great and lasting long.
Useful Equipment and Accessories When Cleaning the Marble Floor
To properly clean your marble floors, you’ll need a few key tools and supplies that are gentle enough not to damage the surface but effective enough to keep the floors spotless:
Soft microfiber mop or cloth: These prevent scratching
pH-neutral cleaner: Strong solvents should not be used when cleaning marble. Select a cleaner that is designed for use on marble or any kind of stone at that.
Warm water: Ideal for a little cleaning and even washing the floor frequently.
Non-abrasive sponge: For cleaning blemishes out of a surface that requires a bit of extra effort without leaving marks.
Bucket: For use in stirring cleaning solutions.
Marble sealer: To keep out stains and etchings, to prevent wear.
Soft towels: Others include; drying the floor after cleaning, for frequent use as a wiping cloth for spills, and so on.
Cleaning and Care of Marble Floors
To maintain the elegance of the marble floor it requires constant cleaning and sealing. Cleaning marble every day does not let dust, dirt, or any small particles scratch the surface of the marble.
Step 1: Dry Dusting or Sweeping
Sweep the floor with a dry microfiber mop, or a soft-bristled broom, at least once a day. Dust, dirt, and other small particles rub against the marble, and scratch it like sandpaper will do to wood.
Step 2: Damp Mopping
If you are only able to clean the floor daily or every other day, then get a damp mop. Here’s how to clean marble floors with just water:
Take a bucket and fill it with warm water-distilled water is recommended not to leave mineral deposits on the metal.
Try to wet the microfiber mop in water and squeeze the mop to remove as much water as possibly can from it, the mop should not be extremely wet only moderately wet. Water can be problematic to marble in large quantities.
Softly wash the floor in sections with a mop. Some advice should be given: do not scrub, because marble is very fragile.
You should dry the floor with a soft towel after mopping to prevent water marks.
Marble Cleaning: Understanding How To Deep Clean Marble Floor
There are cases when simple cleaning is not sufficient, for example, if your floors look rather dull or dirty. Follow these steps to deep-clean marble floors:
Step 1: Prepare the Cleaning Solution
You should use a cleaner that is pH-neutral and which is made specially for cleaning marble. Never use cleaners that are either acidic or alkaline as they are likely to cause some damage to the stone.
Following the manufacturer’s directions, dilute the cleaner with warm water.
Make sure that the cleaner doesn’t harm or change the color of the marble by applying it to a hidden part of the marble first.
Step 2: Mop the Floor
It is recommended you dip your microfiber mop to the cleaning solution and then ring off the excess liquid
Wipe the floor with to and fro movement in circular motions or small rectangular sections.
Indoors you must use hard sponges for stubborn dirt and if there is some spot that is very dirty, then you should use a non-abrasive kind of sponge on those areas.
Step 3: Rinse the Floor
Lastly, sweep the floor clear the residual cleaner remaining on the floor after cleaning; and mop the floor with clean water. Make sure you don’t spread the dust back on the floor and for this, use a different mop or a different cloth.
Step 4: Dry the Floor
Clean the marble and after that ensure that the marble dries up as soon as possible to avoid water stains. It is advisable to use a soft towel, preferably dry any microfiber mop to soak excessive moisture.
How to Clean up Stains on Marble Floors
Despite all the precautions that may be taken to ensure they do not, stains might appear on the floor. It’s important to remove them as soon as the stains occur so as not to cause long-term effects on the teeth.
Step 1: Identify the Stain Type
It’s necessary therefore to establish what caused a given stain before one embarks on the process of cleaning it. Here are some common types of stains and the best methods for removing them:
Oil-based stains: These come from cooking oil, for instance, makeup, or even lotion kinds firming it up for future use. They can also completely darken the marble and must only be cleaned with a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.
Organic stains: Organic stain is brought by spillage of liquids such as coffee, wine, or juice. These are best cleaned with hydrogen peroxide (ensure that is safe for your particular marble) coordinated with a few drops of ammonia.
Rust stains: Any sort of metal being left on the marble can leave rust stains. A rust control solution for marble should be purchased and applied to the area but never use standard rust control solutions for other types of surfaces.
Water stains: Scale build-up can be erased simply by rubbing the affected area with a soft cloth and a marble polishing powder.
Step 2: Make a Poultice
A poultice is a paste that can be applied to the marbled fabrics where there is a raging stain to help pull the stain out. Here’s how to create and use a poultice:
Marble poultices can be homemade using baking soda and water to help create a paste that can also be bought from stores.
Place the poultice right on the stain and cover it with plastic wrap to keep it wet.
Allow it to rise for 24 to 48 hours. The poultice will help to pull out the stain when it starts to dry.
Take off the poultice wash the place on the floor with water and make sure the place is dried before proceeding.
Step 3: Reseal the Marble
Sometimes after washing out the stain, one may have to polish the surface in order to reform the outer layer of protection.
How to Polish Marble Floors
Even for marble floors, it is highly recommended to polish the floor as this will make the floor regain some of its lost shine. It’s not very complicated and can be done periodically, let’s say, once in several months based on the levels of people traffic in the store.
Step 1: Use a Marble Polishing Powder
A paste of marble powder can minimize shallow scourge and enhance the gloss level. Here’s how to polish marble floors:
Dissolve small quantities of marble polishing powder on the floor.
Clean the powder with a damp non-scratch applied using a cloth or a buffer in a circular motion on the marble surface.
Keep on polishing until the shininess of the surface has been regained.
Finally, wash this part with clean water and pat it dry with paper or a soft cloth.
Step 2: Polishing Machine can also be used (Additional)
For large areas or commercial spaces, more preferably use a marble polishing machine that will give a high-gloss polish. These machines are available for hire in most house improvement centers and they are handy in large room polishing.
Protecting Marble Floors: Best Practices
Reseal the Marble Regularly
The marble should be polished to avoid getting soiled and scratched on the floor. Most sealers will require you to reseal the marble floors every six to twelve months especially if there is much foot traffic within your home.
Place water on the floor to check on how the sealer performs especially after painting the whole floor. If it fails to do this, then you should know that the sealer is no longer useful because water tends to bead up on a good sealer. Great for not only redecorating but when it soaks in it’s time for reseal.
Avoid Harsh Cleaners
Do not clean marble using vinegar, lemon juice, or commercial bathroom cleaner because they are acidic and will cause the surface to turn dull. Use only those cleaning agents recommended for marble; avoid those that have a high PH level.
Use Rugs and Mats
Use floor mats and rugs especially in small areas of the house like the kitchen, entry, and hall since they cause scratching of the marble floor and hold dirt.
Wipe Spills Immediately
Acidic materials such as juice, wine, and coffee have a significant tendency to stain marble. It is important to clean the spills as soon as possible to avoid the production of stains.
Remove Furniture and Lift it to Avoid Scratching
While carrying furniture, it is better to pick them up off the ground rather than pushing them across the floor and possibly marking the floor. He also used protective pads beneath the legs of furniture to recommend credentials.
Homemade vs. Commercial Marble Scrub
For daily and weekly cleaning of the marble floor, you can do it yourself but in some cases, deep cleaning, polishing, or in case of very bad stains or scratches professional help is needed.
When to Call a Professional
Stubborn stains or etching: In the event, that these surfaces cannot be cleaned using some home remedies, then this is the best time to contact a professional who will use complex equipment.
Heavy traffic areas: Marble used in hallways, corridors or other areas with high human traffic may necessitate the services of a professional polisher now and then.
