In the serene heart of a beautiful home, the well-maintained, clean, and shining marble flooring catches the eye. Those whose flooring of choice is marble know that regularly maintaining marble flooring is imperative to its aesthetics and durability. Today, you can learn how to maintain marble flooring from A to Z. Tune in and explore marble maintenance best practices recommended by the premiere eco-friendly residential and commercial cleaners in Baltimore, MD.

Why Marble Floor Maintenance Matters

Let’s put first things first. Why does marble flooring come with specific maintenance instructions? What’s so different about it? Here are two reasons for marble’s heightened maintenance requirements that answer your questions:

Physical Properties

Marble is a metamorphic natural stone that is highly sensitive. Its soft surface is easily scratched, and it is very sensitive to acidic and alkaline (basic) substances and will be damaged if it comes into contact with them.

Investment Loss

Since marble is among the more costly types of flooring, poor maintenance will not only ruin its pleasing appearance but also waste a considerable investment and force homeowners to pay a high replacement cost.

How Does a Damaged Marble Floor Look?

Damaged Marble Floor

Different things could happen to your marble flooring and damage it, each making for a specific type of appearance that is different from the original look in its own way:

Etching

As mentioned above, marble is very sensitive to substances with an acidic nature. When exposed to an acidic substance, the marble’s surface turns brighter. Since marble is mainly composed of calcium carbonate, it chemically reacts to acidic substances, and the change in its appearance caused by this reaction is what they call an “etch.” Some examples of acidic substances are carbonated beverages, lime juice, and vinegar. 

Dullness

Dullness is another change in marble’s appearance that happens when it is exposed to alkaline (basic) substances. Although marble’s sensitivity to alkaline substances is less than its sensitivity to acidic substances, it is still unsafe for marble to be exposed to them since they will damage marble’s protective sealant and finish. Since this sealant causes the marble flooring to shine, its loss will cause a dull appearance. Some examples of alkaline substances are alkaline-based detergents, baking soda, and bleach.

Scratches and Wear

As mentioned above, marble has a soft surface that is easily scratched. When we talk about marble’s smooth surface, we don’t only mean that sharp objects will scratch it. Marble is so soft that even the cloth you use to clean it can scratch it.

What to Avoid When Cleaning Marble Floors

Cleaning Marble Floors

Here are some rule-of-thumb considerations for when you want to clean your marble flooring:

Cleaning Tools to Avoid

As mentioned above, marble has a soft surface and is prone to get scratched even if you use the wrong cloth to clean it. In general, you must avoid using any cloths that are rough to the touch. Alternatively, microfiber cloths can help ensure you don’t scratch your floor while cleaning. As for mops, soft dust mops are recommended.

Moreover, if any parts of your cleaning tools are sharp (like the bottom of a bucket or a mop handle), prevent them from touching the marble.

Cleaning Products to Avoid

We discussed how marble is sensitive to substances that belong to both ends of the pH spectrum and how this sensitivity causes etching on the acidic end and dullness on the alkaline end. To avoid these problems, you must only use pH-neutral cleaning products to clean marble.

DIY Cleaning Solutions to Avoid

Certain DIY cleaning solutions can also damage your marble flooring due to their acidic or alkaline nature. Many recipes for DIY cleaning solutions on the web recommend using vinegar or baking soda for spot cleaning. Since vinegar is acidic and baking soda is alkaline, you must avoid using these homemade cleaning solutions on marble flooring. However, baking soda is not too alkaline, and marble is less sensitive to alkaline substances than acidic ones. So, as we will discuss later, using baking soda doesn’t damage marble much as long as you don’t use it frequently and only use it to clean stubborn spots. 

Marble-Safe Products and Solutions

Cleaning Marble Floors

Although you can be fine as long as you cautiously choose your cleaning product, the following marble cleaning best practices can be a game changer:

Store-Bought Cleaning Products

As for products, you have two options available on the market, both suitable as long as you pay attention to the labels on them before purchase:

  1. pH-neutral cleaning products and
  2. cleaning products particularly made for marble cleaning.

DIY Cleaning Solutions

Cleaning solutions are more tricky. In general, you should check the ingredients of a homemade cleaning solution before you make it to ensure they don’t include acidic or highly alkaline substances. However, you can also use the following solutions to clean your marble flooring and be certain:

  1. Water and Soap: As your first–and hopefully last–go-to cleaning solution, a dilute water and dish soap solution should do most of the job for you. When using this solution, rinse the floor afterward and gently buff it dry.
  2. Baking Soda: When mixed with enough water to form a thick paste, baking soda can be applied to stains and help eliminate them. Let the paste dry, then rinse the area with lots of water before buffing dry.
  3. Hydrogen Peroxide: Recommended only for light-colored marble flooring, a solution of hydrogen peroxide can help you get rid of stubborn stains, especially those caused by fruit juice or markers. You must rinse the area with water and buff it dry afterward.

Ammonia: A dilute solution of ammonia and water (½ cup ammonia per gallon) is your last resort for cleaning extremely stubborn stains. If this doesn’t work, seeking professional help is imperative. Make and use the solution in a well-ventilated area, and flush the area with water afterward.

Consider Professional Help

If you encounter a cleaning requirement you cannot satisfy using this guide, seeking professional help is likely your best chance. Moreover, if it is difficult for you to consider all the precautions mentioned above, find the best commercial cleaning service that offers specialized floor cleaning services near you.

Floor Cleaning Services In and Near Baltimore, MD

First-Grade Floor Cleaning Services In and Near Baltimore, MD

Do you need help cleaning your marble flooring? Interworld Cleaning is your go-to, commercial cleaning company in and near Baltimore, MD, with certified green cleaning methods that protect your health and the environment. With a service area extending through the entire Baltimore Metro and Central Maryland, our team of residential and commercial cleaners is ready to help you maintain your marble floor in top-notch condition around the clock. Our 5-star ratings, money-back guarantee, and service insurance mean you can trust us to deliver spotless results consistently.

Without further ado, call us! Schedule your first clean and see the difference that our professionalism makes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Water can be used to clean marble floors, but it’s best to combine it with a pH-neutral cleaner for thorough cleaning. Be sure not to leave excess water on the surface, as marble is porous and can absorb moisture, leading to potential damage.

You can prevent scratches by placing area rugs or mats in high-traffic areas and using felt pads under furniture legs. Also, make sure to use only soft cleaning tools, such as microfiber mops and cloths.

A simple way to check is by pouring a small amount of water on the surface. If the water is absorbed into the stone rather than beading up, it’s time to reseal the marble.

Etching requires special treatment. Mild etches can sometimes be polished out with a marble polishing powder, but deeper etches may need professional restoration to be entirely removed.

Yes, marble floors can often be repaired by professionals. Minor scratches or etches can be polished, and deep cracks can sometimes be filled and repaired to restore the floor’s appearance.