Marble floors add elegance to any home and with proper maintenance will last a long time. marble floor restoration can be an easy and inexpensive project that will greatly improve the value of your home.
To keep your marble looking its best, it is important to remove dirt, grit and sand as often as possible. Always use a clean, dry dust mop free of chemicals.
Getting Started
Marble is a beautiful material that can add value to your home, but it’s also fragile and must be treated with care. Keeping up with spills, cleaning up heavy objects and avoiding harsh cleaners will protect the surface and extend its life span.
Marble tiles need to be cleaned regularly, preferably using a dry mop or cloth. Wet mopping can cause water spots, and scrubbing with a hard-bristled brush or steel wool can damage the stone’s micro pores.
If you have plant growth on your marble tile floors, such as lichens and mosses, removing them may require the use of a chemical solution to kill the biological matter and prevent more from growing. A professional service will remove impacted marble, clean the subfloor, and install new tiles, matching the color as closely as possible.
A good marble sealant will keep the polished surface protected from moisture absorption. It will also protect against etching and staining, preserving the appearance of your marble floors and protecting your investment.
Cleaning
Marble floors are associated with upscale abodes, but they can be spruced up by anyone willing to get a little dirty. Start by dust mopping to remove any dirt, grit or sand that can scratch the marble. Use only water or a mild pH-neutral soap when cleaning. Avoid using any acidic cleaners or citrus cleansers that can etch the marble. Always test any cleaner on a small area to be sure it doesn’t stain or discolor the stone.
If you notice a brown or pink mark, it’s often caused by coffee, tea, food or wine that has stained the marble’s surface. Blot the spills and rinse the area to prevent stains from soaking in. Adding walk-off mats by the entrances to your home can limit the amount of dirt, grit and sand that is tracked onto your marble floors.
Lichens, mosses and algae can also stain marble. Clean the area with a solution of diluted hydrogen peroxide or acetone to break down and dissolve the organic material.
Stain Removal
Marble is a natural stone that is quite porous and is susceptible to staining. It can be hard to remove stains from marble once they have set in, so it is important that you are cleaning and re-sealing regularly to prevent staining.
Oil-based stains are some of the most common stains that can occur on marble floors. Cooking oils, butter, and milk can all stain marble if not cleaned up quickly enough. To help combat these stains, use a poultice paste made of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide or ammonia. The poultice can work to draw the stain out of the marble, or break it down and make it easier to remove.
Rust stains can also occur on marble floors. These stains are caused by iron oxide in the marble that comes into contact with water. This can be a result of old plumbing, a bad toilet wax ring, or simply the age of the marble. Rust stains are difficult to remove from marble, so it is important to treat them as soon as you notice them.
Sealing
Marble is a natural stone that’s prone to absorbing moisture. Bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms all experience moisture on a daily basis from showers, steaming dishes and unintended water splashes. Even though marble is a very durable flooring material, it’s still important to protect it from moisture and other damaging substances.
A marble sealant will help the floors resist scratches, oils and stains. To apply a sealant, start by sweeping and vacuuming to remove any loose dirt or debris. Next, mix warm water and a pH neutral cleaner that’s safe for marble. Dip a soft-bristled brush or an old toothbrush into the solution and scrub the grout lines.
When the cleaning is done, apply a penetrating or impregnating sealant to the floor. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the specific product you choose. After the application, allow the sealant to dry overnight. Then, buff the surface with a clean, lint-free cloth to smooth out any streaks.