Marble is beautiful. It's a popular material for artwork, countertops, and even floors because of the unique patterns in the stone. While marble is attractive, it can also feel a bit high maintenance. If you don't take care of your marble it will stain or crack or fade. Marble is a pricey investment, so knowing how to properly clean it will save you money and heartache.
Before you reach for that scrubbing pad and chemical cleaner, check out a few better ways to get your marble looking clean as new without risking its integrity.
1. Seal your marble firstOne way to make sure all of your hard work... works is to coat your marble surfaces (particularly countertops) with a sealant at least once a month. While uncleaned messes will still stain your counters, the sealant gives you a little extra time to clean the mess up before the mess works its way into the porous surface,
Forbes recommends.
2. Use peroxide and some ammoniaIf you have a hard-to-remove stain on your marble counter or floor, rub a little hydrogen peroxide on the stain. You can add a
few drops of ammonia to the surface for extra cleaning power, but don't use much (too much will damage your counter), according to
DIY Network.
3. Make your own baking soda cleaner Marble needs the gentle touch, so harsh chemicals are a major no-no. Try this solution from
The Balance:
Working in small sections, dust the countertop with a little baking soda. Use a damp rag to
gently wipe down your marble surface. Rinse immediately with water before moving on. Baking soda is very alkaline and any strong alkalines or acids can damage your marble so be gentle and rinse each section with water before moving on.
4. Soap and waterThe absolute easiest (and possibly best) way to clean marble surfaces is to use mild soap and water to wipe down dirty surfaces. While this won't remove staining or etching (fading), it will safely remove germs and bacteria without harming your beautiful marble.
5. Dust your floorThe simplest way to get your marble floor clean is to use a dust-mop. The hard strands of a traditional broom can scratch your floor. A dust mop will remove most dirt and build up.
7. Squeegee the showerEasily clean a marble shower by using a squeegee to wipe away and soap and water after every shower. Use a gentle soap and water to clean the shower more thoroughly and
never use bleach, according to Houzz.
8. Hide etchingAny type of acid (vinegar, lemon juice etc.)
will fade your counter top. Keep acids away from your marble! In the event that your counter does get a bit faded, you can make it at least a little less noticeable.
If the marble is polished, try purchasing a marble polish/etch remover to gently buff out the faded area. For a non-shiny surface combine 5 tablespoons of mild dish detergent with 1 cup of unbleached flour. Apply to the etched area and allow it to sit overnight before washing away with warm water.
Make sure to share these tips with your friends and family!
