When it comes to interior design, marble is one of the most luxurious and highly sought-after materials that can be used to take any space from good to great. Whether you have marble floor tiles, a marble shower, or marble kitchen countertops, having marble throughout your home not only looks great but can even increase the value of your property. But how can you clean and maintain your marble features so that they last as long as possible?
In this handy guide, you will learn how to clean and look after your marble so that it always looks its best and continues to enhance the aesthetic of your home for many years to come.
How to clean marble surfaces
For the most part, marble is relatively easy to clean and take care of, but there are a few things that are important to be aware of so that you don’t damage the marble when trying to clean it. Keep in mind that you should always use a cleaning solution that is pH neutral. There are a ton of great marble cleaning products available on the market, but in most cases, a little dish soap and some water can work wonders.
Here is one simple method that almost anyone can use to keep their marble looking great without damaging it. This method works great for removing light stains and restoring the beautiful shine that makes marble so attractive.
Step One
Add some water to a bucket or other container and mix in a little bit of chemical-free dish soap. For the best results, you want to use lukewarm water.
Step Two
Next, take a microfiber or other soft dishcloth, apply some of the cleaning solution you’ve prepared, and gently wipe down your marble surfaces. Let this open water sit for a couple of minutes, and then give the counters another wipe down without soap.
Step Three
Finally, go over the marble again with a dry microfiber cloth to dry up any soap or water that remains on the surface. That’s really just about it for this method; it works great and won’t cause any damage to the marble features in your home.
How not to clean marble surfaces
Marble is easily damaged by acid, and many commercial cleaners these days are acidic, which means that using the wrong product can be harmful to your marble surfaces. Avoid using vinegar, bleach, Windex, or any other abrasive chemical-based commercial cleaning products on your marble finishes, as these products can begin to eat away at your marble in as little as a few minutes.
When in doubt, stick with using chemical-free dish soap and some lukewarm water, but if you don’t want to make your own cleaning solution, then make sure that you use a cleaning product specifically designed for cleaning marble; there are a few good options on the market, be sure to read some reviews and choose a product that many people trust and have had good results with.
How to remove stains from marble surfaces
As nice as marble is, it’s particularly vulnerable to staining; the good news is that in most cases, the stains can be removed, but time is of the essence, and it’s important to catch stains as soon as they happen for the best results.
Here is a great method for removing light staining from your marble features and finishes:
Step One
Fill a bowl with a little bit of 12% hydrogen peroxide solution and mix in a few drops of ammonia.
Step Two
Apply the solution to a microfiber cloth or other non-abrasive cloth or rag.
Step Three
Gently scrub the stained area until you see the stains start to lift. After a few minutes, be sure to wipe the solution away and then go over your surfaces again with a dry cloth to clean up any remaining peroxide.
How to maintain marble surfaces
Generally speaking, maintenance is the name of the game when it comes to keeping your marble surfaces looking their best. Always make sure that you wipe up anything that spills on your marble as quickly as possible to prevent the surface from staining in the first place.
Final thoughts
Marble is without a doubt one of the nicest materials that you can use in your home. Now that you know how to clean your marble surfaces naturally and effectively, you’ll be able to keep all of your marble finishes looking fantastic for many years to come.
