Hey folks, we’ve got another great article from Harriette Halepis. Today’s topic: Marble madness! No, not that the video game. We’re talking marble counters and marble floors. Marble’s nice – real nice – but if you don’t treat it right, you’ll have problems. Etched marbles, water streaks on marble, dull marble – all banes of any marble countertop owner. These tips should help you eliminate some of the common issues with marble counters and floors.

Managing Marble Floors and Countertops

Marble is the epitome of luxury, but keeping marble looking shiny and new takes a bit of good old-fashioned elbow grease. If you’re having a tough time making your marble shine, then take a look at some of these cleaning tips.

Don’t Do This!

First, let’s talk about some of the things that you may be tempted to do to your counters, but you really shouldn’t do if you want to maintain that natural marble look for a long time.

Avoid using any store-bought marble cleaner at all costs. Why? Store-bought cleaners tend to contain various chemicals that can actually mark your counters. Alkalis and acids are two things that you want to stay far away from when it comes to your countertops.

Likewise, forget about using vinegar, lemon, orange, or ammonia. Also, keep the tub and tile cleaner for your bathroom – not your marble countertops of floors. Lastly, don’t allow people to sit or stand on your countertops. Unlike synthetic materials, marble can crack under pressure, since marble counters don’t normally have any kind of plywood support.

Do This!

Seal your marble countertops and floors at least once per year. While many people believe that applying sealant is a hassle, this simple step can preserve the look of your floors for many years to come. Purchase a top-quality sealer that will really penetrate your marble for best results.

If you happen to have marble that doesn’t require sealant (speak with the person who installed your marble about this issues), then don’t attempt to apply sealant. Some marble does not need any addition sealant.

Do take the time to clean up any spills right away. Marble is a natural rock, which means that it’s incredibly porous. If anything spills on your counter – wine, coffee, fruit juice, soda, tomato products – be sure to use a wet sponge to clean the surface immediately. Further, be aware that certain face and body products can cause lots of harm to your counters – keep lotions, fingernail polish remover, and any other toiletry item away from your counters!

When it comes to cleaning, all you really have to have is a simple sponge, water, and some stone cleaner. Follow the directions listed on the back of the cleaning bottle, but don’t overdo it – polishing your stone excessively will cause the stone to dull.

Finally, make sure that you always use a coaster for any bottle, can, or other item. Marble can be super sensitive, so make sure to protect your marble from anything that might harm it.

Let’s Talk Floors

Now that we’ve covered the dos and don’ts of marble countertops, let’s take a look at some of the ways that you can keep your marble floors in top condition.

Floors that have already been sealed should be buffed one to two times per year. You may also want to consider reapplying sealant every year in order to keep your floors looking stellar. As with marble countertops, be sure to purchase special marble floor cleaner – stay away from generic cleaner!

Similar to marble countertops make sure that your floors are cleaned up following any kind of spill. If you happen to notice a stain on your floor, then make sure to clean the floor right away. Otherwise, a small temporary stain can turn into a permanent stain in a heartbeat.

Cleaning Etched Marble

If your marble has already become etched or streaked (stained by any substance including water), then there are still a few things you can do to counter this damaged appearance. You will need a sponge, a dry cloth, and a bottle of tin dioxide powder.

First, wash the etched area with soapy water thoroughly. Then, rinse the area, and dry it with a clean cloth. Next, dip a damp cloth into the tin dioxide, and rub the mixture into the affected area carefully – be sure not to mark the surface while you are doing this!

Using a wet cloth, rinse the area and dry completely. If a mark still remains, then you can repeat the tin dioxide process. If you are not comfortable with cleaning your etched marble on your own, hiring a professional marble cleaner may be a good idea.

Marble – Worth the Trouble

Even though marble may seem like a nuisance, nothing compares to the look of marble. Whether you are opting for floors or countertops, marble is an excellent choice. Once you become accustomed to taking care of your marble, the occasional polish and seal won’t seem like a big deal.

Marble is a stone that will withstand the test of time if it is properly taken care of – not to mention the fact that installing marble floors or countertops will greatly increase the worth of your home! Is marble worth all of that trouble? You bet!