Marble is a regal stone. This noble material has been used all around the globe since Antiquity. Marble floors, countertops, or tables give any interior the atmosphere of grandeur and house warmth at the same time.
However, all this comes at a price, since taking care of marble might be quite a hassle. From this article, you’ll learn how to clean marble bathroom floors effectively and how to keep them clean for longer.
Why is it so hard to clean?
Why is it hard to clean marble floors and other marble surfaces? There are a couple of reasons.
First, marble is a pretty soft natural stone. Thus, it is susceptible to damage and scratching.
It doesn’t only mean that you have to be extra cautious when dealing with marble in everyday life, but also that you can’t clean marble flooring like any other tile or surface. Some traditional cleaning solutions can leave permanent etch marks on the marble surface.
Second, it might not seem like it, but marble is a porous stone. Because of that, liquids and dirt can soak into the marble floor, and it will be really hard to remove them from there.
Finally, the key to keeping your marble floors pristine is cleaning them as soon as they become dirty. Once you spilled something on the marble floor, wipe them right away. If possible, don’t let dirt sit on the marble. Otherwise, the grime will get deeper, and it will be harder to get rid of it.
Types of marble floors
Another thing we have to address before getting to the actual cleaning process is what kind of marble tiles you have.
There are two types of marble: honed and polished marble. It is important to know the difference because the cleaning routines differ slightly for each type of marble.
The polished marble is shiny and smooth. The surface of polished marble is slightly more resistant to dirt and smearing. However, it can be quite slippery and because of that, it might not be an ideal pick for bathroom floors. Polished marble is more often used to make countertops and kitchen tables.
Honed marble is not as smooth. Some people find that it has got a warmer texture and is nicer to the touch. Since it’s not slippery, it is frequently the go-to option for bathroom floors. Unfortunately, it’s slightly harder to clean honed marble since dirt can permeate deeper into it.
Preparation
Before you proceed to clean the marble floor, you should gently remove any abrasive particles. Since marble is very soft and hard particles like grains of sand, small rocks salt crystals, or just dirt might scratch the surface of the bathroom marble floor.
Sweep the floor in the bathroom carefully before mopping it.
The next step is picking the right cleaning solution. Many homeowners immediately opt for the cleaning products they usually use for other surfaces. The problem is that most cleaning detergents are too aggressive for marble.
Most of them contain caustic compounds like acids or alkalines. Moreover, some cleaners are also abrasive, which is also something you generally need to avoid.
Note: sometimes, however, abrasive cleaners are exactly what you need. For example, using abrasive cleaners is the only way to get rid of the etch marks, or at least make them less noticeable.
The best option is using the commercial marble cleaner. These products are very effective and they don’t damage the marble.
You can also use some homemade solutions. Use mild detergents like baby shampoo, mild dishwashing liquid, etc.
Cleaning marble bathroom floors
Dilute a few drops of your cleaning solution in some warm water. Read the instructions on the bottle to learn the proper measurements. Some marble cleaners also come in the form of powder or in a spray bottle.
Mop marble tile using a soft mop. Change the water if it gets too dirty. Dirty water can stain bathroom marble floors. Besides, there might be some hard particles in dirty water, and they will inevitably scratch the marble surface.
Once you finished cleaning marble floors in your bathroom, remove any excess liquid with a dry soft mop or a microfiber cloth.
Finally, apply some marble sealer. Marble sealer is a special compound that will protect the marble surface from stains and etching. Sealers are available in any home care products section. For the best result, refresh the sealer layer once a year.
Be aware, that this was a description of general cleaning. This will help you to keep the marble flooring clean for longer, but you will need to take a different approach if you want to get rid of etching or stains.
Removing etch marks
Etching is a pretty serious problem. It occurs when the top layers of the marble floor are damaged by some caustic compounds like acid. The etched area is usually discolored and has a rougher feel.
Etching cannot just be wiped off with a detergent, since it’s an indent on the surface of the marble floor. The only way to get rid of it, or at least make it less noticeable, is by giving the etched area a mild repolish.
Purchase some marble polishing powder. Sprinkle a pinch of the powder together with some warm water onto the etching and polish it with a damp cloth in circular motions. Consult the instructions on the package for the exact measurements.
Unfortunately, some especially deep etch marks cannot be removed effectively.
Removing marble stains
Removing stains can be slightly easier. Some stains like rust stains or urine stains around the toilet might be quite stubborn, though.
The best way to get rid of the stains on marble flooring is to use a commercial poultice. Mix the marble poultice with some water as described on the package and then apply the mix to the stained area.
Let it sit for up to 48 hours. During this time, the poultice will harden and suck the stain out of your marble floor.
After that, you just have to carefully scrape the poultice off your clean marble floor.
Conclusion
As you can see, cleaning the marble floor is not that difficult. This natural stone can be tricky. The main secret is to clean it regularly and not let any dirt sit on it for extended periods. Follow this advice and you’ll always have beautiful marble floors.
FAQ
What is the best way to clean marble floors?
Ideally, you should hire a professional for this kind of job. Marble is not the cheapest material, and it is quite easy to damage it during cleaning. If there are no proper specialists in your area or the marble is not very dirty you can always clean the marble floor.
First, you need to sweep all small particles off of your marble bathroom floor. Any sand grains or hard dirt might scratch your marble.
Use specialized marble cleaners. Only use cleaning products that are designed specifically for marble. It means no acidic cleaners, no bleach, and other harsh chemicals.
Finally, carefully dry marble floors after mopping. Remove all the extra liquid with a dry soft cloth or mop.
What can I use to clean my bathroom marble floor?
The best way to clean marble floors is to use cleaning solutions designed specifically for marble. This, for example, includes a marble polishing powder and a marble poultice.
A DIY poultice can be made by mixing distilled water with some baking soda. You can also use baby shampoo, mild dish soap, and Castile soap. Just make sure to pick pH-neutral cleaners, i.e., the ones that are neither acidic nor alkaline.
What cleaning products are safe to use on marble?
Any cleaning products designed for marble floors are ok. You can also mix your own solutions, but it’s always riskier, and the results are not always reliable.
How do you clean a dirty white marble floor?
The color of the marble doesn’t matter that much. It does make sense though to clean the white bathroom floor more often since dirt is more noticeable on white.
