Factors To Consider When Cleaning And Maintaining Marble Floors
When it comes to floors, marble is one of the most popular installations. This natural product adds to the home décor, bringing a timeless look to the space, and given its origins, no two tiles are ever exactly the same. This gives a unique look to the space and there is a wide variety of designs that you can choose from. Variations of these installations range from the polished surfaces which have an ultra-glossy effect, a favourite due to its reflective properties, the honed finishes that bring a matte or velvety look to the surface, all through to the textured finish floors – the likes of flamed, natural-cleft and sandblasted surfaces. Here, the option that one goes with is based on their particular décor preference.
While other natural stone installations such as granite are increasing in popularity, marble remains the top choice for homeowners around the world. These kinds of floors don’t come cheap – but they make up for the cost with the enhanced value that they bring to the space. They are highly durable – and you really can’t put a price on the aesthetics. However, extra care is needed to keep the marble floors looking elegant throughout their life, and retaining their structural integrity. Let’s go over some of the aspects that you should be aware of, when it comes to the marble floor cleaning and maintenance.
- Get a quality sealer
Immediately after the marble floor has been installed, those slabs need to be sealed. The structure of marble gives it a high absorbency, meaning that it will easily soak up the spills that wind up on it, increasing the chances of staining by liquids and chemicals. The resultant effect will vary depending on the kind of chemicals involved. In some cases, it will just be staining, and in others there will be reactions taking place that weaken the structure of the floor. Treating it with a sealer prevents the liquids from penetrating into the structure and wreaking havoc.
It is also recommended that you get non-slip pats or rugs and place them in areas where there are high chances of slips occurring – such as the kitchen and under the dinner table. This reduces the risks of the floor underneath getting stained.
- Work with specialised marble cleaning formulations
Natural stone floors – marble included, are sensitive to the pH of the chemicals that are used on them. You don’t want to work with a harsh agent that degrades the structure of the installation. It can be tempting to use potent agents like ammonia or vinegar-based solutions, especially when you encounter stubborn stains. However, while such solutions are effective on other kinds of surfaces, when it comes to marble, they can end up doing more harm than good. As such, you should ensure that the floor cleaning solution that you use has been particularly formulated for working on marble. Acidic cleaners, including lemon juice, should be avoided, since these eat into the marble structure, causing long-term damage.
Abrasive cleaners can also cause scratches on the surface. The last thing you want is the top layer of the natural stone floor getting eroded away because of the wrong floor cleaning measures being used, so these should be avoided as well.
Still on the floor cleaning – you should ensure that you only work with the recommended dosage of the agent being used. These formulations usually come with dilution ratios that you should observe. Sticking to the product instructions will enable you to get the most out of the floor cleaning solution, and while ensuring that the installation is protected. Note that relying on water alone as the floor cleaning agent will cause the marble surface to begin looking dull and appealing.
- Don’t place hot items on the marble floor
Here, there will be an immediate strain on the marble – so don’t be quick to put that hot pan or pot on the floor. Such oversights can quickly deteriorate the slab, and reduce the lifespan of the installation.
- Spills should be dealt with immediately
Even when the marble floor has been sealed – thereby improving its water and stain resistance, you should not allow spills to remain on the surface. The longer that they are left on the floor, the higher the likelihood of stains forming. Wipe up the spills immediately. If there is any residual stain, this should be cleaned off using formulations that will be tough on the spot, but still gentle on the underlying floor. You don’t want a case where you apply a harsh cleaner on the marble floor in a bid to get rid of a stubborn stain. For those stains that have been on the surface for long and have proven a tough nut to crack, these can be dealt with as part of the routine professional floor cleaning services. Licensed contractors have access to a broader range of floor cleaning agents – even those that are more delicate when handling, giving them the capacity to deal with those frustrating spots that are riddling your marble floor.
Marble floor polishing is one of the maintenance measures needed to enhance the appeal of the installation, and also decrease the extent to which the stone absorbs spills and stains. You can handle the polishing yourself, or get a professional to carry it out since the latter have high-capacity machinery that will deliver the required results in a fraction of the time that it will take going the DIY route.
Giving your marble floor proper care will see it last as long as the building itself, while allowing you to enjoy its attributes all through. From the daily floor cleaning to restorative measures like polishing that are done occasionally, it all comes together to preserve the beauty and structural integrity of the installation. Professional floor cleaning and maintenance companies are on standby to take on those bulky tasks and deal with the damages that may occur over time, and you should take your time with the due diligence on the particular company you’re bringing on board to handle the situation.
Factors To Consider When Cleaning And Maintaining Marble Floors
