Keep marble surfaces beautiful with proper care
Family Features — Veins of color and unique patterns give marble tiles and slab counters a truly stunning appearance. However, maintaining that elegance may seem anything but effortless.
Common advice about caring for marble cautions against using vinegar, bleach, ammonia or other generalpurpose cleaners, while taking care to prevent scratches from the wheels of an old vacuum or basic sand and dirt is paramount.
With all these rules, it may seem impractical to care for a marble floor — or any other marble surface — but once you understand the basics, it’s actually quite simple.
• Know the difference between etches and stains.
“Marble is porous and can stain when it absorbs liquids,” said Jacqueline Tabbah, vice president of International Stoneworks, a family-owned stone-restoration company in Houston.
Stains can discolor marble and have a dark appearance. Stains are often caused by kitchen grease or makeup and lotions.
An etch mark is a chemical corrosion of the surface layer of the stone caused by the acids found in most household cleaners and in substances such as tomato sauce, lemon juice and alcohol. Etch marks are often most visible at an angle, when they appear duller and less shiny than the surrounding surface. Etch marks can usually be prevented by wiping up spills immediately and using the right cleaners.
If a spot is lighter than the surrounding stone, it’s most likely an etch mark. If a spot is darker than the surrounding stone, it’s probably a stain.
To remove stains:
Use a poultice, which you can buy at a hardware store. Spread the poultice on the stain; then cover the area with plastic wrap, using low-tack painter’s tape to hold it all in place. The next day, remove the plastic, allow the poultice to dry completely, and gently wipe it up.
If the stain is still there but noticeably lighter, repeat the procedure. If the stain is just as bad as it was, it will only come out with the help of a professional restorer.
• Be careful what you use to clean marble surfaces.
Acids are the main enemy of calcitic marbles. Avoid using cleaners that contain vinegar or citrus, as well as abrasive powders and creams that can scratch softer stones. Strong household cleaners such as toilet-bowl cleaner, metal cleaner or oven cleaners can cause irreparable etching or permanent color changes in stone.
Tabbah recommends using a cleaner with a pH level of at least 7 or 8, or buying a cleaning product that specifically mentions marble.
• Mop marble floors carefully. “A microfiber mop is the main line of defense for your marble floor,” said Tom Workman, owner of Floor Cleaning Experts, a Florida company that cleans and restores commercial and residential floors.
A dry microfiber mop draws in dry hair and dirt. For deeper cleaning, saturate the mop with water. The thin microfibers have tiny triangular wedges that lift grease and oil as the mop glides across the floor. The small amount of water won’t stain your marble.
• Soften the water used in marble showers.
“If you have hard water, a water softener is a must,” Workman said.
Mineral deposits build up slowly but surely, requiring professional honing and polishing to remove. If you don’t use a water softener, leave the vent fan on after showering, and squeegee the walls after use.
• Use a doormat. If you have a marble floor in your home’s entryway, place a doormat outside your front door, and another mat or rug inside. These mats will absorb dirt and sand before it gets to your marble floors.