How to Clean Marble Surfaces Safely

Marble, among the lovely natural stones so popular today, can retain its beauty for years to come when treated with the proper care and protection. Marble, while durable, offers rich hues and patterns with a delicate feel. Caring properly for the marble surfaces in your home, not only keeps it beautiful, but protects your investment.

Marble’s foundation in nature is calcium carbonate, which is highly susceptible to acidic solutions, including common kitchen items like lemon juice, lime juice, vinegar, and acid-based cleaners. Cleaning your marble correctly, properly handling stains, and sealing your marble surfaces will protect them from these acidic solutions which can etch the surface, making it dull and uneven.

Cleaning Your Marble

Don’t let the acid sensitivity scare you away from marble, because in truth, marble is easy to clean and maintain which is one of the reasons for its continued popularity. To clean your marble, use a stone cleaner (non-abrasive) made for marble or a mild, pH neutral, non-abrasive soap and water mixture to keep your marble looking its best. Using a soft microfiber cloth to apply the cleaner. Rinse and clear all residue from the surface and dry the surface with a fresh soft absorbent towel.

Whether your marble is in the bathroom or the kitchen or somewhere else in your home, the key is cleaning often, at least once a week. For marble in the shower, consider wiping down the tiles more often for best results. Drying is also important for marble surfaces, but that doesn’t mean constant hand drying. Ensuring proper ventilation in bathrooms and kitchens can speed up the drying process and keep your marble looking great.

Simple, right?

Removing Stains from Your Marble

If your marble becomes stained, removing them is more complicated than simple cleaning. First, you’ll need to identify the stain, and then use the proper removal technique – chemical or poultice – for removal.

• Mildew can be removed with a solution that is one part water, three parts household bleach, and a spritz of your favorite dishwashing detergent while ink stains require a different approach.
• Ink stains on light marble can be removed with 20 percent hydrogen peroxide, but ink stains on darker stone can be removed with acetone. In each instance, the cleaning application must be quickly wiped away with a soft, damp cloth.
• Cooking oil, grease, and make-up stains can be cleaned with acetone, ammonia, a non-abrasive cleanser, or mineral spirits.
• Stains caused by beverages like wine, tea, or coffee, as well as many fruit stains can be removed with a solution of 12 percent hydrogen peroxide and three or four drops of ammonia. Remember to rinse the surface after stain removal with a wet cloth and then dry it with a soft cloth.
• Water spots will need to be buffed away with a 0000-steel wool pad which can also work to resolve small scratches. Using coasters can help you avoid this issue.
• Stains as a result of iron, rust, copper, or bronze will require the use of a commercial poultice to remove.

Keep in mind, the faster you address the stain, the greater the likelihood you can eliminate it. Remember, don’t mix cleaners or chemicals which can result in a toxic combination, and always test your stain removing solution in an inconspicuous spot to ensure it won’t make the damage worse.

Sealing Your Marble

As a natural stone, marble is porous and needs re-sealing regularly. Experts recommend sealing every six months or so and the process is so easy, you can do it yourself with quality sealing products from your favorite home improvement store.

Signature Maids Can Help

Should you need assistance with cleaning or stain removal on your marble or other surfaces in your home, Signature Maids is ready to help with the knowledge and expertise to get the job done right every time.

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