Marble has been used by mankind as a decorative material since ancient times. Until our days, unique data about its processing, but not everyone knows that it needs to be carefully cared for. Cleaning marble is a painstaking process, which must be performed according to certain requirements. Neglecting them will definitely lead to a loss of attractiveness and damage the integrity of the product.
In most European countries, people who use marble in interior design, take care of it, pay special attention to its protection. In our regions, people think less about the care of the floors, as a result of which the stone becomes darker and loses its original appearance.
Daily care of marble products
Everything you might need for maintenance:
- A soft cloth.
- Warm water without the addition of any detergent or soap.
- A piece of suede, can be substituted for a simple towel.
During the year it is necessary to wash the marble with a detergent, an ordinary dishwashing detergent will perfectly cope with this task. After cleaning with a cleaning agent, it is necessary to rinse the surface with clean water and wipe dry, and then polish it with a towel. These procedures are limited to the daily care of marble.
In the case of this stone cleaning must not be delayed: if you stain the floor, it must be cleaned immediately, before the coloring compositions are absorbed into the thickness of the marble.
Scrubbing the surface is not allowed, you can only blot stains from the liquid. But there are other methods of cleaning marble that you need to know in order not to damage the surface of the natural stone.
How to clean a marble floor
The principle is simple, cleaning marble consists of two steps:
- cleaning;
- protection of marble.
Before cleaning, it is necessary to make a dry cleaning of the stone and remove dirt, dust and other small hard impurities from the surface with a soft brush. Next, the floor should be treated with a special protective compound for daily use (e.g. cleaner LEM-3).
It is important to use a concentrated, safe cleaning solution (Ultra Stripper) to remove tough and stubborn dirt. After damp cleaning, the stone should be allowed to dry naturally and then a protective coating can be applied to the surface.
There are three methods that can be used to keep the flooring looking great for a long time:
Applying wax. It helps to create a protective film on the marble surface that lasts for a long time, protecting it. Waxed stone shines and retains its original appearance for a long time.
Since it is a porous material, it absorbs different compositions well, so it is best to impregnate the surface with special dirt-repelling agents. They prevent dirt from getting into the depth of the stone’s structure, create a special protective film, it will be easier to clean. Such impregnations additionally tint the stone, after their application it looks wet and shiny.
The third method is mixed, it involves a combination of impregnation and wax. The owner does not need to apply the compositions himself in turn, ready-made products are available for sale. The product Idea HP has proven to be the best.
Combination detergents, which are suitable for daily use, can be found in stores. They contain synthetic and natural waxes, as well as safe cleaning ingredients.
Most owners of marble floors prefer to apply a polish to the surface after washing. Such compositions have a special anti-slip effect.
Safe remedies for removing dirt
Cleaning of marble is carried out only with specialized products that are gentle to the natural stone and are not capable of damaging its surface. Means Bellinzoni brand are considered leaders in this niche.
The following products have proven to be the best:
Stone Care Kit. This is a whole care kit not only for the floors, but also for all marble products. It includes a cleaner, a protective coating, and a polish.
Spray RR/1. As the name suggests, this is a foamy spray cleaner, which thanks to its texture penetrates deep into the stone and effectively pushes dirt out. The product is safe for the stone, easy to use and can be used for daily maintenance of marble floors.
Mangia Macchia paste perfectly copes with organic dirt, grease stains and staining liquids. The composition does not have coarse abrasive particles, it is not able to break the integrity of the polished stone, there are no streaks on the surface. It can be used for both light soiling and deep cleaning.
Detergent LEM-3. A deep cleaner that will help you remove heavy, stubborn dirt from your stone. It is available as a concentrate, so it needs to be diluted with a lot of water. But if the dirt is very ingrained, the marble cleaner can be applied in its pure form.
Rusteater. The simplest concentrated product, which comes in the form of a gel. Suitable for removing rust from the surface of natural stone. It is possible to fully care for marble with its help only in the case of countertops in the bathroom or kitchen.
Removing stains from the marble surface
In order to effectively remove stains from natural stone, it is necessary to identify what caused the appearance of this or that contamination, and already after think what to clean.
Dissolves
If the stains come from non-colored liquids, they can be removed in the following way:
After you notice the wet stain, blot it with a paper towel. Rubbing is not allowed, as this will increase the area of the spill, and you will simply rub the moisture into the pores of the stone.
Use a sponge soaked in a mild soap solution to wipe away the stain.
Use a towel to remove any excess moisture.
Then polish the surface with a soft, dry cloth and eliminate the stains.
Organic stains: coffee, tea, tobacco, juice, soda
Organic foods can easily be identified on marble because they appear slightly pink. If the contamination has appeared on the marble that is outdoors, you can not worry – it will wash out itself with rain or burn out in the sun.
Indoors, such processes do not occur, so it is necessary to use bleach to remove it.
How to clean marble with hydrogen peroxide and ammonia:
The two substances should be mixed in equal quantities and applied to the dirt.
Leave it for 24 hours.
Remove the remains of the cleaning solution with a cloth and rinse with water.
Wipe off thoroughly.
Greasy, oily soiling, lotions and cosmetics.
These will leave dark marks on the stone.
Remove them with a natural absorbent, preferably starch:
It is poured directly on the stain and left for several hours, the procedure is done until the contamination completely disappears.
Then the surface should be carefully washed with any natural stone cleaner.
If the stain does not come off the first time, you can try using a solvent to clean the marble:
Soak a few paper towels in acetone and place them on the stain.
After a few minutes, everything can be removed and the room should be well ventilated.
Rust
To remove this contamination, you should use professional cleaning products for marble. The best solution is Rust Eater gel. It washes stone surfaces according to the instructions on the package.
Vegetable stains: mold, algae, fungus
These stains can easily be removed with a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and ammonia.
Ink
Such stains are also easy to remove with peroxide and ammonia. But these substances can be used only for white marble, for dark stone the ideal solution is acetone. The cleaned surface can be polished with wax.
What not to clean marble
Despite its external strength, marble is a fragile material, and exposure to aggressive acids can destroy the structure of the stone.
How can you prevent stains and prevent marble from breaking down?
If the marble floor is in the corridor, you should protect the surface and spread a mat, otherwise the street dirt and sand, stuck to the shoes, will surely leave scratches.
You should not walk on the floor of natural stone in the house with shoes on. The best way to keep its pristine look is to walk on it barefoot, which, however, is not always possible.
Marble tabletop is a stylish decorative element, but it gets dirty easily. Therefore, it is imperative to use cutting boards for cutting food.
Glass glasses should be placed on special supports, especially wine glasses. Hot cookware should not be placed on an unprotected stone countertop.
Only use specialised marble cleaners, and then the natural stone will retain its pristine appearance at home for a long time.
