Do’s and Don’ts of Marble cleaning
Natural stone is one of the most beautiful materials you can have in your home. Preserving this natural beauty is a matter that tends to worry homeowners, given that marble requires a special cleaning routine. Indeed, preserving marble surfaces takes more time and effort than maintaining other types of flooring such as laminate surfaces or ceramic. However, once one learns how to do it correctly, preserving marble in pristine conditions is really simple. Here are a few do’s and don’ts to guide you.
DO: Wash marble floors with water using a detergent that is specific for natural stone usage.
DON’t: Leave marble surfaces wet after washing. Marble is a porous material and if it absorbs water, it will dull the surface.
DO: Keep marble dust free. Little pieces of grit and dirt can cause scratches on the marble surface. Place rugs in entryways to enable the removal of loose dirt from shoes.
DON’T: Use Natural cleaners. Natural cleaners such as vinegar and lemon are acidic substances which will dull the stone as they will eat into the marble surface.
DO: Use coasters or trivets to protect the countertop from hot pots, and stains from acidic foods such as wine, fruit juices, citrus and vinegar.
DON’t: Let spills sit on a marble countertop. The longer a spill stays on a countertop, the more damage it will do and the harder it will be to remove it. Spills should be cleaned (by blotting only) as soon as possible.
DO: Clean bathroom after every use to prevent soap scum. If you have a marble shower, bathtub or marble tiles in your bathroom, ideally you wipe up the surface with a cloth or with a squeegee after every use.
DON’T: stand or sit on a marble countertop : Marble is a hard material, however it is not flexible and can crack under excessive weight.
DO: Polish marble occasionally. Over time, with use, marble may develop small scratches and lose some of its shine. In such cases, it is recommended that the surface is polished by a professional.
Don’t: Forget to seal marble regularly. Sealing natural stone is extremely important for protecting your marble surfaces against stains or unwanted marks.