Getting Your Marble Floor To Sparkle For Longer
Natural stone floors like marble are quite unique. This particular rock is formed through metamorphic processes, where different factors including pressure, heat and chemical processes modify the structure of different minerals to yield the final result that is mined and processed for floors. You will actually not find two marble slabs being exactly alike – even when they are cut from the same rock. This is part of its appeal, since each installation has its specific charm, enhancing the decor of the premises in which it is set up. The structure itself is highly durable, and can last as long as the building if properly taken care of. The marble floor cleaning has plenty of do’s and don’ts, where you want to ensure that you put in place the required measures to protect your installation – and avoid pitfalls that could lead to the damage of the floor.
- Clearing away the dust and dirt
It builds up round the clock, faster in busy homes and those with pets. Generally, you should dust mop or vacuum once weekly, per person or pet in the household. For instance, if there are two people around, the dusting/mopping should be done twice a week. Working with units such as those with microfibre mop heads gives you enhanced efficiency, since these floor cleaning tools are able to absorb loads of dirt within their material, locking it in the fibres instead of spreading it around the surface.
Placing non-slip mats or rugs at the entrance into the home will limit the amount of dirt that gets tracked into the premises. These floor coverings are important for scraping the dirt that is under the soles of people’s shoes, which would have ended up being distributed all over the floor. It’s a handy tip that, addition to protecting the installation, also reduces the amount of work awaiting you during the routine floor cleaning.
- The pH Factor
The natural make-up of marble floors makes them susceptible to pH variations, especially of the floor cleaning products that will be used.
Acidic products are particularly harmful to this calcareous stone. These are the likes of vinegar, which reacts with the stone, leading to etching and dull spots forming. Lemon juice is also a threat to the floor, whether it is a DIY solution being whipped up to deal with troublesome stains on the floor, or you’re cutting up lemons directly on your marble countertop. Corrosive agents seeping into the structure of the marble and reacting with the minerals themselves leads to irreversible damage of the affected slabs.
Note that the floor cleaning here should be carried out with a formulation that has been designated to be safe for marble floors. Just because a solution works on other natural stone surfaces doesn’t necessarily make it ideal for marble. For instance, granite can typically handle stronger products, since this is typically siliceous stone – unlike the calcareous marble. As such, while granite can be worked on with slightly more acidic products, these will be detrimental to the marble installation.
- Avoid abrasive cleaners
These are the likes of scouring powders or creams, bathroom, grout, tub and tile cleaners, all through to items like steel wool. These will end up damaging the surface, taking away that charm from your installation. Using soft cloths is preferable to dealing with scrubbing brushes. In case you do need to use a brush for that extra scrubbing power, avoid those with sharp bristles, as well as metal scrubbers. Stick to soft-bristled brushes.
- Conduct a periodic deep clean
Here, you bring out that marble floor cleaner, to break down the dirt and grime on the surface and also deal with the stains. Usually, neutral cleaners are enough for the task, but when encountering stubborn stains a formulation with a mild pH can be used – just ensure that it has been specifically developed for marble. Ensure that you thoroughly rinse the surface after the cleaning, then dry the area. Drying marble surfaces after the floor cleaning is important since some of the installations contain iron oxide, which may be brought up by the water to the surface, and create unsightly rust stains.
Always sweep/dust/vacuum the floor before you mop. Removing the dust and loose debris from the surface allows the floor cleaning solution being used to work directly on that stubborn grime.
The marble floor will need a sealant. This should be done once or twice a year, depending on the level of usage that the floor handles. Sealing is vital since it helps reduce the amount of liquids that are absorbed by the structure – which is key in warding off stains and also preserving the structural integrity of the marble.
Firstly, stains should be treated as soon as possible. Allowing those liquids to remain on the marble floor – whether it is beverages, nail polish, or even urine from pets peeing on the surface – increases the risks of damage to the installation. Wash the area, with the appropriate floor cleaning agent depending on the type of stain behind handled, then rinse and dry the spot.
When stains escape your eye for a while, such as food stains that took long to be addressed, these will require more potent cleaners. Some approaches like using 12% hydrogen peroxide plus a few drops of ammonia can do the trick. However, it will also depend on the type of stain in question. Also note that you shouldn’t mix these agents with other floor cleaning solutions. Ammonia is usually the strongest household cleaner that you can work with on marble floors before you need to call in the professional floor cleaning personnel, who have access to a wider range of agents that can safely get the task done. When choosing a marble floor cleaning company to hire for the task, be sure to dig through its reviews and testimonials, from social media sites, business directory listings, and even ask around amongst your friends and family for those who could have engaged the firm. This, coupled with asking for its licence and insurance, as well as guarantees for the job being done, will enable you to gauge the level of quality of service to expect from the firm.
