Marble is one of the most recognized natural stones that are part of the limestone family. Its durability and color make it perfect to use on floors, walls, countertops, and more. It's widely used in many homes with minimal maintenance since it resists stains and is easy to clean.
However, as with any natural stone surface, marble needs extra attention when you want to keep it looking new for years to come. One of the ways to give it that attention is to ensure proper cleaning. Make your marble look as good as new by following these best practices. If you're wondering how to clean marble floors, this article is for you! Here's your guide on cleaning marble flooring.
Stay Away from Harsh Cleaners
When dealing with marble floors, stay away from any harsh cleaners that may wreak havoc on your stone. Marble is a porous stone and can be damaged by strong chemicals. It’s vital that you carefully choose the products you use other than your regular cleaners. Some of the products to keep off your marble floor include:
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Natural Mop
For hardwood floors, a common house cleaning product is the dust mop. For marble tiles, you may want to find another way to clean your floor with its natural shine. The nature of your hardwood and any other surface will directly impact how you should clean it. In this case, you should not use your regular dust mop or any available products in the market. You need to avoid it as much as possible.
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Lemon Water
Simply cutting a slice of lemon and spilling the juice on your floor will cause dull spots on your floor. Lemon juice is an acidic cleaner and can affect the shine of your marble stone. It will peel away its shine and might even dissolve it over time.
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Abrasive Cleaning Agent
Avoid using any abrasion cleaning agent, such as ceramics or sand, with the aid of an alkaline substance. These things will scratch your floor and cause permanent damage in the long run.
Another important thing that you need to keep in mind is not to use any soap on your marble floor. The most effective way is to clean the marble with clean water.
Trap Dust and Dirt
Dust and dirt from outside can get trapped in your house when you close the doors or windows. You might not realize it, but these tiny particles will get stuck on your stone and will make it dirty over time.
To remove this dust, all you need to do is clean your floor with a soft broom or a dust mop regularly. This will prevent your marble from getting covered with them. You should also use a rag to trap dust on your furniture and other items, that way, you will not have to worry about them getting tracked back into the marble.
Clean Spills Immediately
One way to keep your precious marble floor in tiptop shape is to clear stains right away. Make a habit of removing stains and spills immediately they occur.
Large food spills can be a major issue for your marble floor. They will make it dirty and ruin its natural beauty, not to mention that they are hard to clean up later. If you have children or pets in your house, you should be extra careful with them playing on the floors. If they spill something or you see pet accidents, clean right away.
Always Sweep First
Make sure that you sweep your marble floor properly with a broom before vacuuming it. This will ensure even cleaning and make the job easier for you. You can also consider dry mopping instead of sweeping the floor if you want to. It requires less effort, and it is just as good for the floors.
If you are looking for ways to make sweeping easier, then I recommend getting a push broom or a broom with an angled head. They will help you get into those hard-to-reach areas on your marble tiles quickly and easily so that you don't leave any dust behind.
Use Microfiber Mops
Ditch the brush that might damage your floors to a softer microfiber mop, providing the best cleaning results. Soft microfiber cloth is known for its softness, durability, and absorption capacity. These qualities make them the best kind of dust mop to use because they will not scratch the floor or leave any streaks behind. Most microfiber cloths are very affordable, so you don't have to worry about spending too much on one.
Scrub with a Mild Detergent
When cleaning your marble floor, you need to make sure that you use the right type of soap for these floors. Be sure to use a mild detergent, baking soda, or dishwashing laundry liquid because these are the safest kind to use on your floor since they will not leave any scratches behind. The preferred temperature for marble floors is 40-50 degrees Celsius (104-122 degrees Fahrenheit). Make sure your water temperature is at the right temperature before you start scrubbing.
A clean soft cloth along with warm water can be used to clean your floors. Make sure there are no streaks left behind when it dries. This could mean that you've applied too much pressure or soap on your floor, and this could leave scratches behind. Keep rubbing until the dirt comes off and you achieve a sparkling floor.
Give Your Marble Floor a Buffing Once in A While
Though marble is sturdy, it won't stand up to abrasive cleaners. They will scratch the floor's surface and cause permanent damage. Instead of harsh chemicals, you can rub the floor with oil to get rid of dirt. The oil will also make your marble floor shine and bring out its natural beauty.
Also, consider using marble polishing powder to remove etch marks and make your floor shine. These polishing powders can also be used to treat other surfaces like granite kitchen countertops that match the floors and columns. Just sprinkle a little powder onto the surface you want to polish, preferably one at a time, and then rub it in with a soft cloth.
To buff properly and remove the marble etch marks, do it in a circular motion. Ensure you prevent scratching of your floor. Make sure you remove excess standing water, so you prevent tough stains on marble.
Schedule Deep Cleaning Once a Month
You should schedule a deep cleaning session once every month or two months if family members heavily use it. To deep clean your floors, use soapless ph neutral marble cleaners. You can make your own homemade marble cleaner by mixing one part water, one part vinegar, and two parts of a mild detergent. You can also buy stone soap specifically made for marble or use dishwashing detergent.
Clean Marble Floors FAQ
How do you maintain marble floors daily?
Caring for your floor daily is quite simple. Keep the area free from dirt and dust. If you don't have time to do it yourself, hire a company to do regular cleaning.
How often should you clean marble floors?
You need to maintain your home's marble flooring by keeping it as spotless as possible. This can be achieved with daily routine cleaning for houses that use the marble stone in every room or space. Make sure to schedule monthly deeper cleaning to remove stains and spills.
What are the essential steps in cleaning marble flooring?
First, vacuum your floors to remove any dirt or debris that might have settled on them throughout the day. Second, mop up any remaining dirt using a mild detergent mixed with warm water. In case of stubborn spots, like grease stains, pet accidents, and food spills, use a mixture of mild soap and water to remove them. Then wipe the area clean using a dry dust mop or soft cloth. If you need to scrub the flooring to remove stubborn spots, make sure that you only do so gently with minimal or no pressure at all.
What are the maintenance tips in cleaning marble floors?
To maintain marble floors, you have to be very careful in using household chemicals to clean them. Employing harsh chemicals for surface cleaning can damage marble floors, so that only a mild detergent may be used. In fact, many households prefer a mixture of warm water and vinegar to remove dirt from marble floors. You should also avoid scratching the floor while cleaning.
Keep Your Marble Floors Clean with The Above Tips!
Cleaning and maintaining your marble floors is a must. Do not let them get dirty to the point that you can no longer remove the dirt with easy means. To make your stone last, it is best to hire professional marble cleaners equipped with modern cleaning products and equipment. Also, if you have marble floors inside your house or office, then be sure to always put a rug at the entrance to help absorb the dirt from shoes.
Keep these tips on how to clean marble floors in mind to keep your marble floors neat, clean and presentable. If you think no one can clean a marble floor on their own, use these tips to help guide you about how to clean marble floors.
