Marble floors are very elegant to look at and their versatility makes them a popular choice among many. The shiny exterior together with the beautiful designs add a lot of sophistication to the homes. However, as much as they look great, maintaining marble floors is not an easy task. This is because marble is a very delicate and porous stone and is very sustainable to staining.
Loose debris and dirt are not friends for marble floors and they can easily cause small scratches which can damage the finish on them. This can get worse because the damage can lead to penetration of the more stubborn stains into the marble. Hence, it is highly suggested that you make it a habit of dry mopping the floors at least two times on a weekly basis.
Now, most of the marble floors are sealed but that does not come with a lifetime guarantee, Hence, in case of accidental spills, deal with it as early as possible more so if it is an acidic liquid. As far as deep cleaning of the marble floors is concerned, it is recommended that you get it done once every month.
We will discuss the cleaning techniques, both the regular cleaning as well the deep cleaning methods in details in our today’s article, so if you are wondering how to maintain your marble floors and keep them clean, you will get all your answers here.
So, let’s begin.
Important tools and materials required to clean the marble floors
Before we jump to the modes of cleaning, here’s a list of tools and materials you need to keep at home cleaning your marble floors time to time.
- Damp mop
- Dust mop
- Bucket
- Tennis ball
- Microfiber cloth
- Neutral pH soap/ stone soap specifically designed for cleaning marbles
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Water
- Cornstarch
Methods to clean the marble floors on a regular basis
1. Get rid of loose dirt and debris
For trapping loose dirt and debris from the marble floors, a mop having disposable dry clothes for sweeping or a dry dust mop will be best. Avoid using dusting sprays on the mop. If you want to vacuum, then use a vacuum cleaner that does not come with a beater bar. This is because the action of brush can lead to damage on the marble floors. Stiff bristled brooms should also be avoided.
2. Clean up the spills at your earliest
As mentioned earlier, even though most marble floors come with a protective sealant, they are not that effective especially in case of acidic spills like soft drinks, fruit juices, condiments containing vinegar etc. and may cause etching. So, such spills should be dealt with immediately. At the same time, mud should also be removed from the marble floors quickly as the embedded grit may lead to scratches on the marble.
In both the cases, a damp microfiber cloth will be good. It is effective in getting rid of the solid particles as well as soaking the liquid. While you are dealing with the stains, avoid smearing. Finish up the work by rinsing the concerned spots with a damp clean cloth. Let the floors air-dry before walking on them again. To quicken the drying process and to avoid making the floors slippery, you can use a dry microfiber cloth.
Steps to deep-clean marble floors
1. First, dry-mop the floors
It is very important to get rid of the loose dust and dirt from the floors and for that, start the cleaning with the help of a dry dust mop. This step is crucial as without dry mopping, you will simply end up spreading the excess dirt with your damp mop.
2. Make a cleaning solution
Choose a soap that is pH neutral and mix it with warm water in a bucket. Follow the instructions on the label to know the ratio of the cleaner to the water. A good quality dishwashing liquid can also be used. After making the mixture, take clean water in another bucket.
3. Do the mopping
Take a soft cotton cloth or a microfiber cloth and dip it in the solution. Get rid of the excess moisture and work from one corner and on small sections at a time to get rid of the dirt. After you are done with the mopping, remove any remaining soap residue by rinsing the area again with a clean mop and plain water. This will be very beneficial to avoid the marbles becoming yellow and dull.
4. Treat the stubborn stains
Many a times, stains are really stubborn and you need to tweak the cleaning methods to get rid of them.
- Oil stains- At first, blot the oil using a mixture of dish washing liquid and water. After that, sprinkle some cornstarch over the area. Let it stay for an hour and remove it. Repeat the process unless you are able to get rid of the oil fully.
- Ink stains- Saturate a paper towel with rubbing alcohol and leave it over the stain. After some time, blot the ink away. Repeat till the ink marks are gone.
- Scuffs- To get rid of scruff, rub the spot with a dry tennis ball.
- Water stains- Dampen the spot lightly with plain water. Then with the help of many microfiber cloths, dry and buff the space. Use big circular motions for maximum results.
- Organic stains- Saturate a cloth in 12% hydrogen peroxide and place over the stain for 10 minutes. After some time, clean the space with plain water and pat the area dry. Repeat if needed.
Conclusion
Marble floors are hard to maintain but with the right ingredients and the right methods, things become easy. However, besides cleaning the floors, protecting them is equally important to ensure their longevity. For that, simple things like avoiding harsh cleaners, using skid proof mats to prevent accumulation of too much grit in high traffic areas, adding pads on the legs of the furniture and moving heavy furniture over the floors with lot of care will make a big difference.