Sep 22, 2022

How To Clean Marble Floors

For hundreds of years, marble flooring has symbolized eternal beauty. It gives an ordinary house a touch of luxury with its veining design and glossy exterior.

However, marble is more challenging to clean than other forms of flooring. Marble is exceedingly porous and could quickly deteriorate if not treated with care. With our comprehensive guide on cleaning marble floors, you’ll learn how to clean and preserve all of your marble to stay shiny and smooth for years to come.

The Best Way To Clean Marble Floors

Marble floors can be cleaned without the use of harsh scrubbers or chemicals. Here are some tools you will require:

Hot, distilled water
Soap (preferably pH-neutral)
Soft microfiber mop
Soft cloth or towel

1. Get The Water Ready

Since you should avoid using harsh chemicals or brushes, hot water is the best option for removing difficult stains. In addition, hot water works well in removing filth, grease, and other sticky substances on your floors.

The water should be hot whether you use a cleaning solution. Heat some in a kettle or on the stove.

We also strongly advise you to use distilled water. This water is subjected to a process known as distillation. Impurities such as minerals are eliminated during the treatment, leaving clean H2O. Because distilled water is pure, it will not stain, discolour, or damage your valuable marble floors.

2. Include a Cleaner

Because marble floors are porous, they should be cleaned with a gentle pH-neutral detergent. These are safe to use because they pose little risk of irritating if they come into contact with your skin. Then, follow the product’s instructions and add the appropriate amount to your hot water.

3. Mop and Dry The Floor

Get out your best microfiber mop, whether a pin mop or a conventional mop. Spin mops are very useful because they fly out most of the water quickly.

Begin at the farthest end of the room and make your way to the entrance or exit. On marble, short strokes work best and don’t be afraid to overlap as you go. To avoid spreading filth, dip and wring your mop frequently.

It’s important to dry marble floors if you want good results. Wipe the floor with a clean, soft cloth or towel. A quick tip to wipe big areas in one go is to wrap a clean towel over a floor squeegee.

Tips for Maintaining and Avoiding Damage to Marble Floors

Marble flooring is an extravagance. It is critical to protect its delicate surface. Here are a few tips from our Squeaky Cleaning experts for avoiding any damage:

1. Wipe Up Spills As They Occur

Due to its porous surface, marble absorbs standing water and liquids, including spills and stains. Your marble will either stain or darken as a result of this.

The best thing to do is clear up spills as they occur. First, blot up the spill with a moist microfiber cloth. Then, to avoid spreading the liquids, begin at the edges and work your way into the middle.

2. Never Let The Floor Dry On Its Own

Allowing your marble flooring to dry naturally can be disastrous. The marble absorbs both water and detergent while the floor air dries. Your flooring could become discoloured or stained as a result of this. After mopping, always dry the floor with a clean cloth or towel.

Cleaning marble floors can be made more difficult by the added process of rinsing and drying them. This, however, will produce the most satisfactory outcomes while protecting the sensitive surface.

3. Use Gentle Detergents

If you must use a detergent on your flooring, be sure it is pH-neutral. Because these pH-neutral cleaning chemicals are light on the surface, they are suitable for use on marble. However, compared to acidic and alkaline treatments, they are less effective at removing stubborn stains.

Vinegar is often used to clean several types of flooring, including tiles and hardwood. When it comes to marble, though, this is a big no-no. Vinegar is acidic, with a pH of two or three, and could erode the surface.

Other cleaning products to avoid include:

Cleaners containing citrus fruits, such as orange or lemon.
Cleaners made for ceramic floors.
Ammonia.

4. Scuff Marks Can Be Removed With Felt

Scuff marks can appear when furniture is dragged across the floor; shoes can also cause them. But, no matter why, scuff marks on your shiny marble floors can be frustrating.

When you mop, most scuff marks should come off. However, if there are a few stubborn marks, you can remove them with a felt pad or tennis ball. Apply mild detergent and water to the pad and rub it on the floor. Rubbing in circular motions is not recommended since it can damage the marble floors.

5. Apply a Marble Sealer

The easiest approach to protect your marble flooring from spills and grease is to seal them. Marble sealers are readily available at any home improvement or local supply stores.

Most sealers should be applied liberally and allowed to permeate the natural stone. Then, after the required time to seal has passed, you either wipe or clear away the excess.

Some sealers need to be resealed every three years, while others last five. If you’re unclear about how to seal your floors, hire an expert.

6. Sweep Daily

Dust can quickly diminish the appearance of your shiny marble floors. In addition, when grains of dirt are dragged about by shoes or bare feet, they can leave scratches on your floors.

Sweeping with a soft broom or dust mop regularly can help to keep filth, dust, and scratches at bay. Light vacuuming with suitable equipment may also suffice.

You might be relieved to learn that marble floors don’t need to be mopped all that often. A deep clean once a month should be enough unless you have a really busy home with children and pets. Due to the sensitivity of marble to water, minimizing mopping might assist in protecting the delicate surface of your floors.

7. Baking Soda Should Be Used With Caution

Baking soda can remove stubborn stains, but be careful with them. Baking soda is an alkaline substance that should be handled with caution. It’s also marketed as a mild-abrasive cleaner, so there’s no need to scrub too hard.

A tiny amount of baking soda should be sprinkled over the discoloration. Gently rub the surface with a moist cloth, and do not scrub. To neutralize the alkaline, thoroughly rinse the area with cold water and pat dry with a soft cloth.

Ensure the baking soda isn’t left on the floor too long. It is always preferable to repeat a process than to risk prolonged exposure. Also, the shiny sheen of marble will be diluted by baking soda.

8. Place some Rugs and Carpets

Using a few rugs and carpets in heavy traffic areas might help to keep the floors in good condition. It will also keep the filth and dust at bay.

You can also place doormats near entrances to remind visitors to clean or remove their shoes.

Using vibrant rugs and carpets is a wonderful approach to demonstrate your sense of style and taste. Combine different colours and patterns to create a relaxing environment for you and your family. They’ll even help keep your feet warm in the winter, as marble can get quite cold.

Preserving Marble Floors

An excellent way to preserve marble floors is to use only pH-neutral detergents and avoid abrasive cleaners. Seal your marble flooring to prevent stains and spills from setting and discolouring them.

Moreover, vacuum cleaners can be the deadliest enemy of marble floors. Rough brushes, such as beater rolls, can scratch and harm the porous surface. If you must use a vacuum, ensure it has a hard floor setting. Use it lightly on the floor, and don’t use too much pressure while cleaning.

For the best experience cleaning services in Hamilton, call or email us today.

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