How To Clean Marble

Often used for decorative art (such as sculptures), furniture, and building materials (such as marble countertops), marble is a beautiful rock formed primarily by the metamorphism of limestone. Although marble looks magnificent, it is extremely difficult to properly care for due to it's fragile and porous nature. These characteristics essentially mean that if you are not careful when cleaning a marble surface, you may damage it beyond repair. The following steps take you through how to clean marble surfaces.

First, it is important to understand that marble needs regular cleaning. This is true because dust and grit (i.e., tiny particles flooring around in the air) will scratch the surface of marble countertops and marble floors. As a result, they need to be dusted often. However, not all dust mops are created equal. Be sure that you use an untreated dust mop because a treated dust mop will result in staining due to the porous nature of marble. Additionally, it is important to routinely wash marble surfaces with warm water mixed with a neutral cleaning solution (i.e., liquid dishwashing detergent or Murphy Oil Soap). Use a sponge or soft cloth to wipe away the water. For the really ambitious, using a damp chamois will prevent streaking from occurring. Although it is not recommended for white marble due to the tendency of it to become yellow, using a light coat of wax will assist in protecting the marble's surface. However, the wax is merely an added precaution and certainly not necessary to properly cleaning marble surfaces.

Second, because marble can sometime take on a "dull" appearance, it is advisable to occasionally use a marble cleaner and polish to restore the marble's original luster. Although commercial marble clearners and polishes are readily available in today's market, you will want to make your purchase from a company that sells marble for a living. Additionally, try to purchase a marble cleaner that is made for international markets other than the United States. The reason for this is that U.S. made marble is harder than its international counterpart so using a marble polish and cleaner that is safe for softer marble usually means it is safer to use on your United States marble.

Third, if you find that your marble surfaces have been damaged by scratches and/or etches, purchase putty powder (a/k/atin oxide). This substance, although extremely difficult to find, is used similar to car wax -- rub on with a damp cloth, and buffed with an electric polisher. If your marble surfaces are severely damaged by the etches and scratches, contact a local company that makes tombstones and other marble products as they may be able to help restore them.

Finally, marble surfaces can become stained. These stains usually result from three sources -- "day-to-day" stains, oil stain, and rust stains -- each requiring different methods to clean. The best way to remove stains from marble surfaces is to make a poultice and soak them with certain chemicals, depending on what type of stains you are attempting to remove. The poultice can be made from a white absorbent material (i.e., napkin, issue, etc.). You will need to keep the poultice moist so place a plastic wrap over the poultice when it is being left on the marble stain. If you forget to do so, or it otherwise dries out, simply re-dampen the poultice with the appropriate chemical.

How To Clean Marble Food Stains - Food stains, also known as day-to-day stains, are the result of coffee, tea, and soft drinks. To remove these food stains from marble, the poultice should be soaked with twenty percent hydrogen peroxide, mixed with drops of ammonia.

How To Clean Marble Oil Stains - On the other hand, oil stains require an entirely different method of marble stain treatment. An effective compound is to mix one-half cup of bleached flour with a tea spoon of liquid dishwashing detergent and warm water. Mix until it turns into a paste that has the consistency of peanut butter. Let the poultice sit overnight, ensuring that plastic is placed over it (and taped down with masking tape) to keep moist. In the morning, remove the plastic and allow the poultice to dry out and, once dried, scrape off the poultice.

If this method does not work, you will need to step it up a notch. Use a poultice soaked in acetone and allow to sit for a few minutes. It is important that you do not leave the poultice on the stain too long. You will also need to ensure that the room has adequate ventilation and air circulation since acetone is so harmful to the human respiratory system.

How To Clean Marble Rust Stains - The last type of stain to remove from marble is a rust stain. These stains are usually the result of metal surfaces being left to remain on the marble for too long. For these stains, simply use a commercial rust stain remover. As with any commercial product, read and follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully. Do not let the cleaner to remove too long since the acid in the rust remover may etch the marble's surface.

Marble Cleaning Tips: Many of the above-listed marble stains can be alleviated by sealing the marble surfaces. Choose a sealer that can penetrate the marble's surface. Luckily, the sealer does not change the appearance of the marble.

Marble Cleaning Warnings:

* Acid is horrible for the surface of marble. Acid is found in fruit juices and carbonated beverages and will eat into the marble.

* If you are going to clean the surface of marble with bathroom cleaners, it is crucial that you check the label of the cleaner prior to use. Because federal law mandates that the active ingredients be listed on the labels, you can determine if it has acid in it. If it does, do not use it on your marble surfaces!

* Do not use cleaners that are abrasive as marble surfaces can be easily dulled by the grit contained in those types of cleaners.

* Despite what you may have been told, vinegar is the worst thing you can expose your marble surfaces to. Absolutely, under no circumstances, should vinegar be used to clean your marble surfaces. Vinegar contains acid and, as stated above, that is a very bad thing as it will eat into the surface of the marble.