Honestly, I didn’t learn anything about the best way to clean marble flooring until after I accidentally spilled coffee on the floor. I used a generic cleaner to get rid of the spill as fast as possible. What a bad idea. The coffee stain did not just disappear, but also left a spot that reflected light poorly. If marble flooring is taken care of properly, it looks great. However, it is somewhat fragile. Because marble flooring is so smooth and has a highly reflective surface, it becomes dull quickly if it is treated like other flooring materials such as ceramic or laminate.
Through experimentation (and failure), I was able to continue testing various cleaners and methods. But in doing so, I discovered that many of the cleaners and cleaning methods available were actually damaging. So, I needed to find a new way of cleaning my floors.
Why cleaning marble flooring is different than cleaning ceramic or laminate flooring
Since marble is a type of rock, it has holes within it. Therefore, it absorbs liquids and stains fairly easily. Unfortunately, there are two major types of issues that affect marble. When an acid-based substance (like vinegar or lemon juice) comes into contact with the top layer of the marble and reacts, etching occurs and causes dull marks to form on the surface. When a liquid enters the marble and creates discolored patches, staining occurs. Both forms of damage are difficult to fix. Once I realized why using these products was causing me problems, I decided to stop experimenting with different ways of cleaning my floors and began being more careful.
What products to never use when cleaning marble flooring
Unfortunately, I had to determine which products not to use once I learned how to take care of my marble floors. Avoid the following entirely:
• Acidic substances like vinegar and lemon juice. Even though they smell good and taste good, they will make your floors look dull.
• Bleach. Bleach is extremely harsh and will weaken your marble over time.
• Any products that contain abrasive chemicals. These types of chemicals strip away the protective coating that protects the marble finish.
• Scrubbing agents that contain abrasive chemicals. Although you may not notice that you are scratching the surface right away, this is still detrimental to the long-term health of your floors.
In general, if you’re unsure whether or not to use a specific product because it says it’s going to be a deep cleaner, the safest thing to do is to err on the side of caution. Marble needs gentle cleaning.
How to clean your marble flooring – step-by-step guide
These are the steps I now follow to clean my marble floors on a regular basis. Each one has proven itself to be both safe and effective for cleaning marble flooring.
Step 1: remove debris before mopping
Prior to mopping, I always sweep or dust my floors to prevent scratching them. During the mopping process, small particles of debris can scratch the surface of your marble flooring. Sweeping or dusting your floors with a soft brush or a dry microfiber mop works well for removing debris.
Step 2: mix warm water & pH-neutral soap
From my experience, the easiest and most effective way to clean marble flooring is to combine warm water with a pH-neutral soap. Depending on my mood, I might add only one drop of mild dish soap. Less is usually more. You don’t want any excess soap to leave residue on your floors.
Step 3: use a microfiber mop
Once I switched to using a microfiber mop, I noticed a significant difference in my ability to clean my floors efficiently. Microfiber mops are specifically designed to gently clean surfaces without sucking up too much water. Just make sure your mop isn’t soaking wet; excessive moisture can seep into your marble flooring.
Step 4: rinse your floors with fresh water
Cleaning your floors with fresh water doesn’t come naturally to everyone; but rinsing your floors thoroughly takes a few seconds longer than usual, and helps keep your floors free of streaks or haze.
Step 5: dry your floor immediately following cleaning
It’s essential that you dry your floors immediately following cleaning to prevent water spots from forming on the surface of your marble flooring. This will preserve its original luster.
Habits that will help maintain your marble flooring
As I continued to gain knowledge through trial-and-error, I developed many habits that helped improve the appearance and longevity of my marble floors. For example, I swept/dusted every part of my home on a consistent basis to limit dirt buildup on my floors. Placing mats in high-traffic areas (i.e., doorways and entryways adjacent to kitchen counters) also limited dirt/debris accumulation. Finally, since dragging furniture across my floors resulted in unwanted scratches/scuffs, I no longer drag furniture by pulling/pushing; instead, I apply felt pads underneath every piece of furniture leg before moving them throughout my home.
How frequently should marble flooring be cleaned?
Although it may seem like you need to be constantly cleaning your marble floors due to frequent use in busy homes, it really doesn’t need to be overwhelming. Daily cleaning only requires minimal effort – i.e., lightly sweeping or dusting areas prone to dirt accumulation will reduce buildup and allow for easier weekly cleaning. Weekly cleaning should involve applying a comprehensive cleaning solution directly onto the marble flooring. Immediate attention should be given to any spills; the quicker you attend to the spill, the greater likelihood you’ll minimize damage.
Common mistakes that can damage marble flooring
All of the errors listed below were mistakes that I made myself. Therefore, I thought it was fair to share them as well:
- Allowing too much water to penetrate your marble flooring.
- Ignoring spills for extended periods.
- Using the wrong cleaning products.
- Failing to provide sufficient time for your floors to dry following each cleaning session.
Even though each individual action seems insignificant in terms of damage separately; collectively they can result in severe damage.
Learning how to successfully clean marble flooring wasn’t based on buying specialized cleaning products; it was about changing my maintenance techniques to be gentler and more consistent. By adopting changes in my maintenance routine, I’ve been able to establish a routine that minimizes unnecessary messes and keeps my marble flooring sparkling for years
