Tips For Caring For Marble Floors

As tile installers, one of the most common questions we hear is, “How do I care for marble flooring?” As you know, marble is a costly but worthwhile investment, so naturally, homeowners should learn how to care for their tile properly before it’s installed.

So if you’ve been leaning towards installing marble in your home, read on to find out how to maintain it so it lasts for decades.

What Is Marble?

But first, what is marble? Well, it is a natural, as opposed to human-made, material commonly used in homes, like tiles or kitchen countertops. It is comprised of limestone after it’s metamorphosed. 

Despite marble forming under intense pressure and heat, it is vulnerable to acid, so it is essential you know how to maintain it to prevent corrosion. The trouble is that marble is very absorbent, so if you don’t properly seal or maintain it, it is susceptible to staining or etching, both of which threaten the integrity of your beautiful marble tiles.  

Warning Signs To Look Out For On Your Marble Floors

We mentioned that corrosion is a possible concern for your marble, but what does marble corrosion look like?

If left untreated, surface corrosion on marble floors will slowly eat away at the surface, creating etching or staining.

• Etching: Etching in marble occurs when vinegar or acidic liquids are absorbed into the stone. Etchings are lines that are lighter than your tile.
• Staining: Staining results from improperly sealed tiles. For instance, if you don’t seal marble, as it is an absorbent material, it will allow moisture in and eventually lead to a darkened or “stained” spot. 

How To Protect Your Marble Floors

Now that you know what happens to marble flooring that is improperly cared for, here’s how you protect your marble. 

• Tools: Dust mop, dry mop, microfibre cloths, vacuum, and/or an empty spray bottle or bucket.
• Marble-Safe Cleaning Products: DIY mix of cornstarch, marble-safe cleaner, and hydrogen peroxide, or marble-specific cleaning products.
• Cleaning Products To Avoid: Acidic cleaners that contain lemon or vinegar, abrasive brushes that are made of melamine (e.g., erasable scrubbers), vacuum accessories that could scratch the surface, or harsh cleaners containing scouring or abrasive cleaning agents, as they will remove the sealant and harm the marble. 

How To Clean Marble Floors:

1. Whisk Away Spills: Due to the absorbent nature of marble, as professional tile installers, we advise you to immediately clean spills with a damp cloth to prevent staining and etching.
2. Get Your Tile Installers To Apply A Sealant: Give your marble floors extra protection with a marble sealant to make them more moisture-resistant. The rule of thumb is to reapply a sealant every 6-12 months. You can tell if you need another coat if you put a few drops of water on the tile and they absorb.
3. Routine Cleaning: Numerous times a week, you should use a vacuum without a beater bar, or one with a soft head to remove dirt, dust, and debris, or you can use a dry dust mop.
4. Mop Once A Week: Using the DIY or marble cleaner in warm water, you should mop your marble once a week. However, use water sparingly as an overly wet floor isn’t suitable for marble. Once finished mopping, we encourage you to use a clean, dry microfibre cloth to wipe up the water.
5. Remove Stains: Lastly, remember to remove surface stains. For instance, you can try a tennis ball for scuffs or use a microfibre cloth to buff out tough stains with either hydrogen peroxide or a mild cleaner.

Final Thoughts On Caring For Marble Flooring

Marble is a common flooring material, but if you want to maintain its soft lines and beautiful appearance, you need to know it comes at the price of regular maintenance. 

However, in addition to all these tile installer-approved ways to maintain your floors, you can always toss down an area rug over high-traffic zones to prevent uneven wear on your marble floors and use felt pads on the bottom of heavy furniture to prevent dents.

So if you’re ready to hire a tile installer to introduce marble into your home, but you have questions about how to care for marble, then give us, the Brothers Flooring, a call today for a free consultation! With over 20 years of experience in the flooring industry, we’re here to help!