Marble countertops or flooring is the epitome of sophistication and style. This natural stone is one of the most popular choices for the homes of many of us.
But even though these stones are gorgeous and relatively low maintenance there is still some upkeep required to assure that they stay in good condition and keep their natural polished stone shine.
If you are at a loss on what products are safe to use on marble, make sure to read further.
Because we are going to cover several great cleaning products that are sure to keep your marble surfaces spotless and in the very best condition. So, without further ado, let us get started!
Soap and Water
The first method of cleaning is one of the most simple and yet it is super effective on marble surfaces.
So, if you want an easy way to clean your marble floors or countertops, all you need is a solution of water and a gentle dish soap.
As long as you do not use any cleaners that have acidic ingredients such as lime or lemon your marble surfaces should stay in good condition and be super clean.
Once you have used the soap and water solution it is recommended that you rinse the surface with plain water so that any soapy residue has been removed.
If you do not use plain water to wipe the counter after using soap there could be a film left on the marble surface which will reduce the glossy shine over time.
Finally, all you need is a clean microfiber cloth to wipe up the remaining water. This will assure that there are no water spots are left.
Use a Hydrogen Peroxide Solution
Even though marble is generally easy to clean and does not stain easily there are times that stubborn stains can appear.
When this happens there are some solutions you will need in order to get rid of these stains.
It is recommended that you use a solution of twelve percent hydrogen peroxide which will be extremely helpful in getting rid of stains that are impervious against soap and water solutions.
The main thing you need to remember with this cleaning solution is that you need to only use it for cleaning lighter colored marble.
If you use it on darker marble surfaces you run the risk of leaving lighter stains on the surface. This is why using hydrogen peroxide is much less likely to show lighter stains.
Use a Baking Soda Paste
Stains can sometimes penetrate the sealant and get into the porous stone of your marble countertop. At this point you need to draw those stains out.
But how do you do it? The best way to do this is to use a baking soda solution. All you need for this solution is water and baking soda. You will want to make a mixture that is thick and creamy in consistency.
Once you have your solution, you will need to spread the paste on the stained area of your countertop and then cover it with plastic wrap.
Make sure that the edges are taped down and then leave it for twenty-four hours. Once that time has elapsed, you can wipe the paste away and check if the stains have vanished.
If you notice that some stains are not disappearing, all you need to do is repeat the process again.
If this solution still fails to remove stains, you may need to admit defeat and call out a professional to buff that stain out.
Use a Special Stone Cleaners
If the above options fail, you may want to consider purchasing a specialty stone cleaner. But what should you look out for in your natural stone cleaners? Well, let us tell you.
If your stone cleaner has a neutral pH, it will almost certainly clean off any stain tarnishing your marble surface.
But the best thing about using specialty stone cleaners is the fact that these products normally offer a one step process. All you need to do is spray and wipe.
You will not need to rinse or try your countertop. On top of that, specialty cleaners are usually really helpful in preserving the seal and delaying the possibility of the need to reseal the countertop.
Use a Microfiber Cloth
It can be all too easy to forget about clothes when you are concerned about cleaning solutions.
This unsung hero is one of the most important tools you can have in your cleaning arsenal. SO, once you have the right cleaning solution, we recommend picking up good quality microfiber cloths so that you can easily clean the surface without damaging the natural stone surface.
While sponges are okay, they are not as gentle as lint-free microfiber cloths.
Microfiber cloths are not really suited for getting rid of dirt and grime but they are excellent at soaking up liquid, which means that there will not be water spots left behind after you wipe the marble stone. This means that after you wipe your marble surface it will be nice, and shiny.
Microfiber is a durable cloth that will work well for long periods of time without becoming unusable.
They are also more gentle than other products, which means that there is less possibility of damage occurring to your marble surface.
Final Thoughts
We hope that we have been able to give you some great options for cleaning your marble surface.
There are plenty of options, we have simply listed a few of the most commonly used products out there.
Not all of these cleaning products will work for your stains. Some cleaning solutions will simply work better for certain stains.
So, you will need to go through trial and error in order to find the correct cleaning product for your marble surface.
Good luck with keeping your marble surfaces clean and we hope that you have a fantastic day.
Make sure you have a look at this video from eHow Home for some more tips and tricks on cleaning marble.