Marble has lots of benefits and is an excellent choice for any home. Not only does this natural stone look stunningly beautiful, it easily compliments any form of decor.
But like most precious things, marble has a beauty routine that needs to be followed to preserve its natural beauty.
- Clean marble stains as soon as possible
Stains such as wine, fruit juice, tomatoes, and soft drinks are harmful to your marble flooring. After a spill, make sure to immediately bloat the acids. Wiping and rubbing the acid makes it worse, dab it gently to avoid further damage. You can use a commercial marble stain remover if the stain persists.
If you have marble countertops in the kitchen, use ceramic or stone containers rather than metallic containers to avoid rust stains.
2. Protect your marble countertops from heat
Although marble handles heat decently, you should avoid placing hot objects on marble countertops directly. Use coasters and mats wherever needed.
3. Add a marble sealer to the finish
Most natural stones don’t require a sealer, but it is advisable to use a sealer to protect the marble from regular staining and damage. Do remember a sealer isn’t bulletproof, but it protects the surface from moisture for longer years.
Be careful of choosing the sealer brand as some sealers need to be re-applied every year or two, others every fifteen to twenty years.
4. Follow a simple daily cleaning process
For daily cleaning, remember less is more. Use a small cloth, microfiber, with warm, distilled water to clean marble countertops. This is after contact with food. Always dry up your marble with a dry cloth since marble is prone to water spots too. Remember to avoid using vinegar and other acidic cleaners when cleaning marble flooring.
5. Prepare the marble for polishing
Prepare the marble surface before polishing it by removing all the dust particles. Make sure you wipe all the grime, grease, waxes, and stains with a commercial stone cleaner. This is very important to avoid forcing them deeper into the surface when polishing marble.
6. Go for the extra glossy finish
Request your vendor for a glossy finish or use a commercial-grade polisher while installing the stone.
7. Avoid marble etching
Marble is prone to marking because it has calcium carbonate makeup, which reacts with any acids. The acid eats away a tiny bit of the surface resulting in dull spots known as etches. Hence any splash of acid is going to leave a subtle mark.
8. Use only products that are designed to clean marble
There are numerous products that claim to be effective to clean marble. However, make sure to use a soft cleanser only. Avoid using cleaners with too many chemicals.
9. Wax is a double-edged sword
Wax is often used on marble since it protects and polishes it. However, the wax will lead to eventual discoloration, especially if the marble is white. So use it with caution.
10. You have to deal with the scratch menace
Scratches are a part of life, especially if you have small children or pets. You will have to deal with them. If the scratch is slight, you can try fixing it yourself by using coarse-grit sandpaper. If the scratch is deep, consult a professional to avoid long-term damage.
Remember, if you take care of things, they last!
