Marble Cleaning
& Care
The natural marble your have purchased for your home or
office is an investment that will give you many years of beautiful
services. Marble is a natural product and simple care and
maintenance will keep it looking beautiful. Here are some
recommendations for routine care and cleaning.
Marble Surface Precautions
Use coasters under all glasses, particularly those containing
alcohol or citrus juices. Many common foods and drinks contain
acids that will etch or dull the marble surface
Do not place hot items directly on the marble surface.
Use trivets or mats under hot dishes and placemats under china,
ceramics, silver or other objects that can scratch the surface.
Cleaning Procedures & Recommendations
Floor Surfaces
Dust mop interior floors frequently using a clean non-treated
dry dust mop. Sand dirt and grit do the most damage to natural
marble surfaces due to their abrasiveness.
Mats or area rugs inside and outside an entrance will help
to minimize the sand, dirt and grit that will scratch the
marble floor.
Be sure that the underside of the mat or rug is a non-slip
surface. Normally, it will take a person about eight steps
on a floor surface to remove sand or dirt from the bottom
of their shoes.
Do not use vacuum cleaners that are worn. The metal or plastic
attachments or the wheels may scratch the surface.
Other Surfaces
Clean marble surfaces with a few drops of neutral cleaner,
marble/stone soap (available at hardware stores or from Island
Granite) or a mild liquid dishwashing detergent and warm water.
Use a clean rag mop on floors and a soft cloth for other surfaces
for best results. Too much cleaner or soap may leave a film
and cause streaks.
Do not use products that contain lemon, vinegar or other
acids on marble or limemarble.
Rinse the surface thoroughly after washing with the soap solution
and dry with a soft cloth.
Change the rinse water frequently. Do not use scouring powders
or creams; these products contain abrasives that may scratch
the surface.
Bath and Other Wet Areas
In the bath or other wet areas, soap scum can be minimized
by using a squeegee after each use.
To remove soap scum, use a non-acidic soap scum remover or
a solution of ammonia and water (about 1/2 cup ammonia to
a gallon of water). Frequent or over-use of an ammonia solution
may eventually dull the surface of the marble.
Vanity Top Surfaces
Vanity tops may need to have a penetrating sealer applied.
Check with your installer for recommendations.
A good quality marble wax or non-yellowing automobile paste
wax can be applied to minimize water spotting.
Food Preparation Areas
In food preparation areas, the marble may need to have a
penetrating sealer applied. Check with your installer for
recommendations. If a sealer is applied, be sure that it is
non-toxic and safe for use on food preparation surfaces. If
there are questions, check with the sealer manufacturer.
Marble Care Do's and Don'ts
- Do dust mop floors frequently
- Do clean surfaces with mild detergent or marble soap
- Do thoroughly rinse and dry the surface after washing
- Do blot up spills immediately
- Do protect floor surfaces with non-slip mats or area rugs
and countertop surfaces with coasters, trivets or placemats
- Don't use vinegar, lemon juice or other cleaners containing
acids on marble, limemarble, travertine or onyx surfaces
- Don't use cleaners that contain acid such as bathroom
cleaners, grout cleaners or tub & tile cleaners
- Don't use abrasive cleaners such as dry cleansers or soft
cleansers
- Don't mix bleach and ammonia; this combination creates
a toxic and lethal gas
- Call your installer or restoration specialist for problems
that appear too difficult to treat.
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