From Dull to Dazzling: Expert Tips for Marble Floor Cleaning and Maintenance

Marble floors add a touch of timeless elegance to any home, with their diverse colors and veining patterns creating a captivating visual texture. However, this beautiful natural stone is also known for being somewhat delicate and prone to staining. If you're wondering how to properly do marble floor cleaning and maintain your marble floors, this guide will provide you with everything you need to know, from routine care to stain removal.

How often should we clean the Marble Floor?

Loose dirt and dust are enemies of marble floors because they can cause minute scratches that dull the finish and allow troublesome stains to penetrate the marble. That’s why floors should be dry dust-mopped at least twice a week. Although most marble floors are sealed to help prevent staining, spills, particularly acidic liquids, and obvious mud or dirt should be cleaned away as early as possible.

Deep cleaning of marble floors is only required about once a month.

Important Factors to Consider in Marble Floor Cleaning

Marble is a calcareous, alkali stone that often reacts with any acidic substance. This chemical reaction can result in permanent discoloration. This is why choosing the right marble and tile cleaner product is crucial.

Harsh cleaners such as ammonia or chlorine bleach can permanently mar the finish of the marble. Try to avoid any cleaners that feel gritty or promise to "scour away" dirt. Acid-based cleaners, even those recommended for granite or homemade mixtures that contain distilled white vinegar or lemon juice should be avoided completely too.

Moreover, don’t use cleaning or waxing products that promise to clean and shine because these are not formulated for marble and can leave it looking dingy and overly slippery.

How to Clean Marble Floors

After considering the above-mentioned points, the next question you might have is what is the proper way of marble floor cleaning? Or how do I clean marble without damaging it? Here are some points that are sure to help:

Clean Up Spills Immediately

When spills occur, you should wipe them away immediately. Even with a protective sealant, acidic messes like soft drinks, fruit juices, or vinegar-based condiments can cause etching. Muddy footprints should be cleaned as soon as possible to prevent the embedded grit from scratching the marble.

You can use a damp microfiber cloth to remove solid particles and blot up the liquid. Avoid making the stain larger by smearing it. Simply follow up with a quick rinse with a clean damp cloth and finish by drying the area well with a microfiber cloth to prevent spotting and slippery areas.

Trap Dust and Dirt

To trap dust and loose dirt on the marble floor, using a dry mop and a mop with disposable dry sweeper cloths is considered as best tool. Try not to use any type of dusting spray on the mop. A good rule of thumb for how frequently to clean is that a marble floor should be dry dusted at least once per week per person living in the home.

For a family of three, this means dry dusting three times per week to keep the marble scratch-free and properly clean.

How to Deep Clean Marble Floors

To preserve the beauty and shine, Marble floors should be deep cleaned too. The floor should be deep cleaned at least monthly or more often if needed in high-traffic areas.

Step 1. Dry Mop First

Always use a dry dust mop to begin the marble floor cleaning services task to trap loose dust and debris. If you skip this step, you'll end up pushing around excess dirt with your damp mop.

Step 2. Make a Cleaning Solution

In a bucket, mix a solution of warm water and mild, neutral-pH soap. Check the product label for the correct ratio of water to the cleaning agent. Fill another bucket or sink with clean water to use for rinsing the floor.

In the market, you will get many specialty soaps formulated for marble or you can use a very dilute solution of just a few drops of dishwashing soap per gallon of water.

Step 3. Mop and Rinse

Once you’ve made the cleaning solution, dip a soft, cotton, or microfiber mop in this and wring well. Focus on the floor doesn’t need to be sopping wet. Work in a small area and rinse the mop frequently to remove dirt. As you finish the area, dip the mop in plain water and carefully rinse the freshly mopped floor to remove any soapy residue left behind.

This is an essential step to keep the marble from yellowing and looking dull.

Step 4. Treat Tough Stains

If the marble cleaning solution you made did not remove every stain, try these methods:

• Scuffs: Slowly rub the scuff with a dry tennis ball.
  
• Ink Stains: Soak a soft cloth or paper towel with rubbing alcohol and place it over the stains. Leave for a few minutes and then blot away the ink. Repeat the step until the ink is completely removed rinse the area well with plain water and buff dry.
  
• Organic Stains: Soak a soft cloth or paper towel with 12 percent hydrogen peroxide and place it on the stain for about 10 minutes. Check the stain, if it is removed rinse the area well with plain water, and buff dry. If you notice that the stain remains, repeat the steps and allow the hydrogen peroxide to sit for up to 30 minutes.
  
• Oily Stains: To remove oily stains, use a mixture of warm water and a few drops of dishwashing liquid to clean the area. If the stain remains, sprinkle the oily area of the marble floor with a thick layer of cornstarch. Then leave the cornstarch in place for at least 4 hours to draw the oil out of the marble. Repeat the step until the stain is gone.
• Water Spots: To get rid of water spots lightly dampen the floor with plain water. Use multiple soft microfiber cloths to dry and buff the floor using large, circular motions.

Step 5. Dry and Buff the Floor

At last, use a soft, microfiber cloth to dry and shine the floor. Work in large circles as it will give the floor a highly polished look. Keep in mind that some marble contains iron oxide particles that when subjected to water for too long can cause rust stains that are nearly impossible to remove.

Maintenance Tips to Keep Marble Floors Looking Good Longer

Here are some additional tips for maintaining and keeping marble floors looking good longer:

• Use high-quality non-skid doormats inside and outside entrance doors to trap scratch-causing grit.
• Add pads to furniture legs to prevent scratching and avoid dragging heavy furniture across the floor.
• Choose honed, tumbled, or brushed marble for areas like bathrooms or kitchens to prevent falls from slippery floors.
• Avoid harsh cleaners, solutions, and floor care tools in marble floor cleaning. 
• Try using a sealant recommended for marble floors and reapply as recommended by the manufacturer.

Conclusion

The right marble floor cleaning is a commitment to preserving their natural beauty and elegance. By following the above given step-by-step guide to marble floor care, you can ensure that your floors remain a stunning focal point in your home. Regular cleaning, preventive measures, and professional maintenance are all crucial components of a comprehensive marble floor care routine.

With this proper marble floor care, your floor will continue to exude timeless charm for years to come. If you don’t have enough time to clean by yourself, you can also hire marble cleaning services online.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the best way to clean marble floors?

Ans. The best way to clean marble floors is to use a microfiber mop with a pH-neutral stone cleaner and warm water. Avoid harsh chemicals and always dry thoroughly to prevent etching.

Q. How do I get my marble floor to shine again?

Ans. To restore shine to your marble floor, you can follow these steps:

• Deep clean: Use a microfiber mop with a pH-neutral stone cleaner and warm water to remove dirt and grime. Ensure thorough rinsing and drying to avoid residue.
  
• Buffing (optional): For extra shine, buff the dry floor with a soft, dry microfiber cloth. This removes minor scratches and enhances the natural luster.
• Natural polish (optional): Consider a natural marble floor polishing specifically formulated for marble.

Q. Does vinegar clean marble floors?

Ans. No, vinegar should not be used to clean marble floors. While vinegar is a natural and effective cleaning agent for many surfaces, it is acidic and can damage the delicate surface of marble.

Q. Can I use baking soda to clean marble floors?

Ans. Yes, you can use baking soda to clean marble flooring, fireplaces, and similar pieces. In fact, it can be more effective than warm water and a soft cloth alone.