Nothing quite says clean, contemporary yet classic, and luxurious quite like marble. Whether it’s a detail in your bathroom tile or the surface of choice in your kitchen, marble is stunning in any space. But as one of the higher end surface and flooring products, how do you keep it looking clean while protecting it? At HouseMaids we’ve cleaned it all and know the best ways to keep surfaces shining. Here are our best tips for how to clean marble.
Marble Basics
Unlike other stone surfaces, marble is porous. That means it can attract and hold stains and is more susceptible to scratching and etching. This is especially true for marble counter tops in the kitchen. Acids like fruit juice, milk or alcohol can cause etching, which literally eats away at the calcium carbonate in the marble stone. These permanent markings appear to be dark or dull spots or rings. Once the etchings are in place, there is no removing them.
With this in mind, it is essential to minimize exposure to acid buy using cutting boards and cleaning up the acid spills right away. The longer the stain sits, the more it will set. It’s also important to know that the acid in some citrus cleaners will also have the same acidic destroying effects on the marble.
So what should you use to clean marble? Good old soap and water goes a long way to clean most things, including marble. Wipe the counter down with warm, slightly sudsy water and use a non-abrasive sponge, or ideally a microfiber cloth. Note that cleaning will still not remove etching. It may also be necessary to use a cleaning product specifically designed for marble surfaces. When selecting a cleaner, you will want to know if your marble is honed (a satiny finish with little reflection, already etched) or polished (glossy and reflective), and test it in a small area first. Polished marble surfaces are more susceptible to damage from stains and abrasive cleaners.
Leave it to the Pros
Sometimes it’s best to just leave these cleaning tasks to the pros at HouseMaids. Since we deep clean every time we visit your home, you are guaranteed that your marble will sparkle and shine when we leave. We know how to clean marble, granite, hardwood, stainless steel, and every other popular surface. That’s what you get when you hire pros! Call us at (941) 953-4300 today to schedule your cleaning.