How to Clean Marble Floors & Keep them Dust and Stain-Free?

Marble Floors symbolize luxury and elegance. This timeless material is available in various colors and veining styles to make fabulous flooring. But while these floors ooze out plush vibes and add dimensions to any space, they are notorious for their porous nature and high susceptibility to stains. 

Marble flooring requires regular cleaning and special care with the right products to stay intact for years. So, without further ado, let’s elaborate on how to clean marble floor and protect your investment from unwanted dust and stains. Keep reading for all the tips you’ll need to maintain its luster and appearance for a long. 

Things to Consider When Cleaning Marble Floors

Since marble is a naturally-occurring material, it is porous and infamous for being prone to staining. Dust and loose dirt are enemies of marble floors, causing minute scratches and fading the finish and shine. 

So, before learning how to clean marble floor, a quick primer on marble flooring will help lay the groundwork. Here’s a quick rundown of the important factors to consider before jumping into the marble floor cleaning process. Remember that one wrong choice can put all your efforts in vain while ruining your flooring permanently. 

• Stay away from harsh cleaners. Marble is a calcareous stone and is thus highly sensitive to anything acidic. This alkali stone can react with any substance, and the chemical reaction can lead to permanent discoloration. Hence, choosing the right cleaning product is mandatory. 
• Abrasive cleaning agents, including dry or soft cleansers, bathrooms, grout, tub cleaners, and scouring powders or creams, should be avoided. All of them are a recipe for disaster and do more damage than good. 
• Never opt for cleansers specially formulated for granite, as they will be too harsh and create dull spots on marble floors. 
• Beware of vacuums and scrubbing brushes, as they may scratch the marble surface. Forego these hard items in favor of soft clothes to stave off stains.  
• Ditch homemade mixtures containing distilled white vinegar or lemon juice, as they can permanently mar the finish of the marble. 
• Do not use cleaning or waxing products that promise to clean stains or restore shine. They are not ideal for marble flooring and can leave it dingy and slippery. 
• Finally, you should always test the cleaning method in a small, inconspicuous area to check if that’s worth using on the entire floor. 

How to Keep the Marble Floor Stain-Free?

Getting etch marks and dust on your marble floors is predestined, but how you care for them can make all the difference. Here’s how to clean marble floor and make it look brand new. 

1. Keep tabs on dust and dirt

It’s vital to clean marble floors frequently with a clean, non-treated dust mop, especially when dust and loose dirt are apparent. A mop with a disposable dry sweeper cloth is the best tool for trapping dirt on a marble floor. 

Do not use any type of dusting spray when cleaning marble floors. To get the best results, you should dust mop once per person in the home. If you are a family of two, dry dusting twice weekly to keep the marble free from dust and debris. Also, placing non-slip rugs around entrances is good to make your job slightly easier. 

2. Clean up spills immediately

Since marble is porous, it immediately absorbs the spill and can cause etching. Hence, you should instantly wipe out the spills and muddy footprints to prevent them from scratching the marble. 

Remove solid particles using a damp microfiber cloth, and avoid making the stain larger by smearing it. Follow up with a quick rinse with a clean damp cloth and finish cleaning by drying the area to prevent spotting. 

3. Use a targeted approach for set stains

Wondering how to clean marble floor if a stain escapes your attention at first, In that case, you must use a more targeted solution to remove it for good. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to cleaning spills and marks on the marble flooring, and different stains require different treatments. 

Organic materials, such as food, tea, and coffee, are perhaps the most common culprit. And thankfully, you can banish them with 12% hydrogen peroxide and a few drops of ammonia. Do not mix any other cleaner; it can cause a toxic chemical reaction. 

Pour enough solution to cover the stain and rest it for 20 to 30 minutes. Flush with water and apply a marble polishing powder if you’re left with etch marks. Buff it onto the stone with a damp cloth and dry. 

4. Schedule deep cleaning once a month

While regular mopping is good for keeping the marble floor clean and lustrous, it’s good to schedule a deep cleaning periodically. The frequency of deep cleaning depends on the traffic or the presence of dirt. You can deep clean your marble floor at least once or twice monthly. 

Use a soapless cleaner with a neutral pH, as it helps minimize streaks or film left behind. You can also turn to a phosphate-free dishwashing detergent to clean marble floors. 

Summing Up

That’s how to clean marble floor. While this flooring reflects a timeless charm, it also requires high maintenance and upkeep. Marble floors are delicate; hence, it takes a little bit of know-how to keep them clean and looking their best.