How To Clean Marble And Help It Last Longer
Whenever we consider getting a marble countertop, table or marble floors there’s always this dispute going on in our heads between the fact that marble looks beautiful and stylish but it’s hard to clean and maintain. This makes anything made of marble seem scary and intimidating. But a lot of that is just an overreaction. Yes, cleaning marble can sometimes be a real challenge or even impossible but it’s not all that bad and if you know a few basic tricks there’s nothing to fear.
Marble looks hard-wearing and durable and it is but the same things that make it so appealing also make it vulnerable. Those beautiful veins that you love so much and great from a decorative point of view but they’re also a source of weakness and that beautiful polished look can soak up stains in a second leaving you with the difficult task of trying to get them out and make the surface like new again. We’re prepared a few tips that should show you how to clean marble and to maintain its beautiful finish.
There are basically two methods you can use when cleaning marble. There’s liquid cleaning for which you can use things like distilled water, white spirit or 2% non-ionic detergent and there’s also dry cleaning which basically involves a spongy natural rubber product that you just roll over the marble surface. There are a few things you should always avoid when cleaning marble. For example, never use abrasive cleaners and stay away from anything made with vinegar, lemon juice or milk. Always keep hot items off the marble and wipe up any stains right away. Use coasters on marble counters and tables and use clear wax instead of the white kind.
Marble etching is a real problem. Anything acidic basically eats away a tiny bit of the marble surface and this causes dull spots or etches to appear. These can be caused by things like lemon juice, tomato paste or even milk. So don’t use natural cleaners on marble. Basic cleaning can be done using the following: warm water, gentle non-abrasive dish soap, a cloth or rag and a soft absorbent towel. Mix water with soap and spray the surface. Then wipe it with a hot cloth and dry it with a towel. You can also use natural stone or marble cleaners and marble polish.
Because marble is very porous, you should always avoid rubbing stains. To remove them, you can use powdered whiting, hydrogen peroxide, water, plastic wrap, a cloth or a sponge and a microfiber cloth. Mix the powder to make a thick paste, apply it to the stained area, cover with plastic wrap and tape down the edges. Let it set and dry. This can take up to two days. Then just wipe away with a sponge and rinse with clean water.