Routine Care and Maintenance for Marble Countertops, Vanity Tops, and Floors

Routine care and maintenance is suggested to preserve marble beauty and durability. Because it is absorbent, marble countertops and vanities need special care. Marble can stain with spillages like liquids or oil, and is sensitive to acids like citrus juices, vinegar, or household cleaning chemicals, which can damage its surface.

PH Neutral Cleaners

When used externally, it is vulnerable to acid rain or pollutants in the atmosphere, which erodes and discolor its surface. Nevertheless, taking care of your marble as soon as you install it will go a long way to preserve it and save restoration costs in the long run. Natural stone countertops and floors should be cleaned with neutral cleaners specifically designed for stone. These cleaners are concentrated pH neutral cleaners that will not affect existing sealers or other types of coatings.

Acid Strong Restrictions in Cleaners

Stone cleaners should never contain acid or bleach. Acids, even a light solution of vinegar and water, will etch and eventually damage many varieties of natural stone. A solution of the pH neutral cleaner and water mixed to manufacturer instructions. First, the solution should be applied to the stone surface with a sponge or spray bottle.

Then, allow solution to sit per manufacturer recommended specified amount of time to ensure penetration of the stone. After that, Agitate with a sponge, or soft bristle brush. And finally, remove dirty solution with clean sponge and buff dry. Some textured stones may require a different cleaning method or additional procedures not specified in this text.

Extra Points for Marble Maintenance

Elegant, versatile, and durable as it is, marble, like any other surface, needs conditioning, cleaning, care, and maintenance to preserve its beauty and prolong its life. Taking just a few precautions like routine sealing with your marble will mitigate, and sometimes eliminate any problems whatsoever:

• Use honed marble on the floor, as it is more resistant to scratches.
• Avoid using polished marble in high traffic areas.
• Placing non-slip mats or rugs at the entrance minimizes soiling from dirt on shoes.
• Wipe anything that spills on marble immediately.
• Use coasters under glasses or bottles.
• Use mats or trivets to place hot items on marble.
• Follow a daily and periodic cleaning routine.
• Use clean mops and brooms.
• Old vacuum cleaners will scratch your marble, avoid using them.
• Change mopping water frequently during cleaning.
• Always rinse using clean, warm water.
• Allow floors to dry before use.
• Always follow the directions on your cleaner and avoid mixing chemicals unless specified.
• Use abrasives (nutshells, feldspar or silica, quartz etc.) on honed marble only, and never on polished surfaces. Abrasives can cause scratches.
• Avoid using chemical cleaners, acids like vinegar and lime juice, grout cleaners, tub or tile cleaners on marble. They will etch or dull the stone.
• Try not to use wax on marble, as it can make it slippery and therefore a hazard for people in socks.
• Inspect interior and exterior tiles regularly and correct flaws straightaway.
• Never use a mixture of ammonia and bleach for removing stains. The resulting gas is toxic and lethal.
• Do not use hot water to clean spilled milk or blood, as doing so makes the stain worse.

Best Marble Cleaners

For best results, please do not use acid based household cleaners on your marble. Thus, soap-less cleaners and other neutral cleaners like specialized stone soaps are ideal, as they do not damage the surface. Similarly, mild phosphate-free, eco-friendly dishwashing liquids or powders, suitable detergents (PH 7 – neither acidic nor alkaline), or vegetable oil based soaps are also fine, as long as you rinse the soap off completely.  

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Sources

marble.com/articles/caring-for-marble

www.daltile.com/how-to/how-to-care-for-and-maintain-tile/how-to-care-for-and-maintain-natural-stone

nassarstone.com/stone-care