The do’s and don’ts of marble cleaning
Marble is a unique natural material requiring special care, because it is porous and potentially vulnerable to staining. But this doesn’t have to be time-consuming or difficult. And while you will always need the professionals for the big cleans and marble floor polishing, there’s a lot you can do in between times to keep your marble looking its finest.
It’s all about following a few simple do’s and don’ts:
DO
- Mop up any spillages straight away – this very effectively minimises damage to your marble.
- Use coasters, dishes and mats under glasses, kettles, toasters, hot dishes and anything else that could scratch the surface of the stone.
- Have a tray for toiletry items if you have a marble bathroom – many products contain potentially harmful chemicals. However, you may be better off storing things away from marble bathroom countertops completely.
- Have door mats, runners and rugs on marble floors.
- Dust marble floor tiles frequently – dirt and grit can be very abrasive.
DON’T
- Use acidic cleaners – many bathroom and grout cleaners contain acid. Bleach, ammonia and general purpose cleaners should also be avoided, as should abrasive products and those with a heavy alkaline content not specially made for stone. Abrasives like scouring powder can also harm marble, so are best avoided. Equally, even seemingly ‘natural’ cleaning agents like lemon juice and vinegar can spoil this stone.
- Forget to regularly seal your marble. Natural stone should be sealed every six months or yearly. (This will depend on its condition and how well you look after it.) Regular sealing will protect your marble surfaces, but it’s one of those jobs best left to a professional.
The good news is that, with minimal knowledge of how to clean marble, and, most importantly, what will harm it, your natural stone will stay looking fantastic, even though you’ll still sometimes need the professionals!
Marble cleaning in London
Based in the London area? At Royal Stone Care, we’re experts in marble floor polishing and marble restoration in London and the city’s outskirts. In fact, we have expertise in all areas of natural stone floor cleaning and restoration. Talk to us today.
