How To Clean Marble Tabletop
Marble tabletops are a great style choice for your kitchen or dining room. They have the added benefit of going with any decorating scheme because they blend so seamlessly. One of the challenges of having marble tabletops is cleaning.
Marble cleaning can be much more complicated than cleaning other materials including granite countertops. You need special care when doing daily cleansing; you also need a regular deep cleaning now and then. This write-up will provide a simple cleaning template you can follow to keep your marble neat, shining, and beautiful.
Table of Contents
Cleaning Guide For Marble Tabletops
Step 1: Remove dust, debris, and dirt
Use a mop and remove all dust particles before cleaning the marble surface with a liquid cleaning solution. You can also use a microfiber cloth in place of a dust mop. When doing this:
- Do not use a vacuum cleaner to clean the dust and dirt, as the sharp edge of the vacuum cleaner can scratch the marble surface.
- Dusting the marble surface should be done at least two to three times a week to keep it clean. Regular cleaning is the best way to ensure that the marble lasts long.
Step 2: Make a cleaning solution
Mix about one tablespoon of gentle dish soap into a spray bottle, and fill up the rest of the spray bottle with warm water. Cover the bottle and shake vigorously until the soap and water are thoroughly mixed together. As you do so, note the following:
- When you add in warm water, allow some space, about 2.5cm, at the top of the bottle. This is to allow room for the water and soap to mix easily and fast.
- Avoid using dish soaps that contain acids, alkalis, and other chemicals that can harm the marble. Use non-abrasive dish soap only.
Step 3: Apply the homemade solution on the marble surface
Spray the dish soap solution on the marble evenly. Do not apply too much of the solution on the marble as the excess liquid is not good for the marble. Applying too much of the solution on the marble will mean that you will likely not be able to wipe off all of the liquid completely.
Step 4: Clean the marble surface with a clean cloth
Wipe off the marble tabletop. Make sure you remove all the soapy solution on the marble surface. While leaving ordinary water on the marble soap is fine, make sure you remove the soapy solution. It is best to use a microfiber cloth for this process.
Step 5: Dry up the excess water
Use a clean and dry towel or any other cloth with an excellent absorbing quality to clean the marble table. This is to ensure that all the water is wiped off. This process will also act as a buff to the surface and make it shine brightly. For this task, a cotton towel is preferred due to its absorbing quality. In the absence of a towel, a squeegee can also serve.
How To Remove Spots And Stains From Marble Surfaces
Step 1: Make a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and ammonia
Mix a quarter teaspoon of ammonia with 12% hydrogen peroxide and leave about 2.5cm of space at the top of the bottle to allow for shaking. Close the spray bottle and shake well until both solutions blend. While preparing this mixture:
- Ensure that you stick to the quarter teaspoon of ammonia; this is because marble surfaces are very delicate, and so require a very limited amount of ammonia. If this solution does not remove the stain, make a fresh solution and increase the amount of ammonia by a few drops. Alternatively, you can buy a commercial marble cleaning solution.
- For marbles with dark colors, use acetone instead of hydrogen peroxide and ammonia mixture. Dip a clean cloth in the acetone and apply it to the stain.
Step 2: Apply the mixture on the stain
Spray a small amount of the mixture (hydrogen peroxide + Ammonia or Acetone) to the stained spot. Avoid spraying the solution on an area that is not stained. Ammonia is mildly abrasive and can damage the unstained areas of your marble floors, tabletops, and other surfaces.
Step 3: Clean the surface with a microfiber
Clean the surface with microfiber in a circular motion. To avoid damaging the marble, do not scrub too hard or apply a lot of pressure. Remember to stick to the areas with stains only, as spreading the mixture to unstained areas can damage the tabletop.
Step 4: Dry the spot with another cloth
Next, use a dry absorbent cotton towel or microfiber to dry off the mixture. No need to apply too much pressure during the drying and you don’t need to scrub the spot. Continue drying until the cleaning mixture is removed. No liquid should be left behind.
Step 5: Seal the tabletop
After cleaning the marble table, it is best to apply a stone-penetrating sealant. There are many commercial stone sealants available out there. Follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer when applying the sealant. The sealant will keep out stains and watermarks. Sealants should be applied at least once every two years.
Step 6: Remove paint stains
If there is a paint stain on your marble, you can remove it using a razor blade by carefully scraping it off. Do not use chemical paint strippers as these are too strong for marble and can cause permanent damage. An alternative to scraping with a razor blade is using a lacquer thinner to remove the stain. When using a paint stripper or lacquer thinner, use only one made from wood, then work with a scraper to remove the paint after they have been softened.
Step 7: Buff out water stains
Sometimes, you may leave spilled water for too long on your marble tabletop before cleaning causing a difficult stain. You can get rid of such a stain by carefully buffing it out with 0000-rated steel wool. Ensure that the steel wool is dry. A 0000-rated wool is an extra-fine grade of material. If you use other grades such as 000, 00, 0, or 1, you might end up damaging the marble surface.
How Do I Clean Marble Floors?
Step 1: Prepare your water
Marble is a sensitive material, so you need to be careful with the kind of chemicals you use on it. The best way to thoroughly clean marble tiles and floors is using hot water. Hot water is very effective in removing dirt and grease. You can also use distilled water, as it contains no impurities and so cannot stain, damage, or discolour your marble floor. The good news is that you can buy distilled water in any grocery shop around you.
Step 2: Add a mild detergent to the hot water
Due to the porosity of marble, it is best to use a mild detergent when cleaning. The best cleaners for these surfaces are pH-neutral products; they are safe and mild to use. Follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer when adding to your hot water.
Step 3: Mop the marble
The best material for marble surfaces is a microfiber mop, but you can also use a spin mop or the normal manual mop. Begin the mopping from the farthest area of the room and mop towards the nearest exit. Short strokes mopping is best on marble. Remember to dip and wring the mop to avoid spreading dirt.
Step 4: Rinse the floor
Immediately you are done with mopping the floor with detergent and hot water, proceed to rinse the floor. Fill up your bucket with clean water and use the same method to mop. It may be necessary to mop more than twice to remove soap scum and other residues that remained on the marble surface.
Step 5: Dry the floor
Drying the floor is necessary if you want an instant sparkling result. Do this using absorbent microfiber clothes.
Tips On How To Clean And Care For Marble Furniture
Marble has been the subject of admiration for centuries, and it’s no surprise that this natural beauty is also admired in homes. Marble can be expensive – on average costing $1-$5 per square inch with some rare pieces costing upward from ten thousand dollars.
But buying a beautiful piece will make your living space look more luxurious than ever before; lending itself perfectly to clean lines found throughout minimalist designs these days. Here are some easy ways of cleaning and maintaining your marble furniture after installation.
Seal the marble
One of the best things you can do for your marble is to seal it. A fresh coat every six months, or at least once a year will help repel staining agents and make sure that water doesn’t seep into cracks in between pieces (which could ultimately lead to more serious issues). There are many good marble sealants you can use to seal your marble furniture and make them last longer and look nicer.
Clean the marble with care
Marble is a beautiful stone, but it does need some extra love nearly all the time. Marble countertops and dining tables are especially susceptible to stains from oil or grease because they absorb food particles so easily that dirt can become embedded in the marble before you know what happened.
To keep your floors looking their best for years go easy with non-abrasive cloths/sponges when cleaning these surfaces; use only mild dish detergent mixed together at room temperature (do not put bleach products near any hard materials) plus water.
Remove stains as soon as they appear
If your marble gets stained, don’t just try to clean it with soap and water. Organic stains like coffee or juice can be removed by placing a paper towel soaked in bleach over the spot for 24 hours; oil-and grease-based marks can also be cleaned by combining acetone and baking soda into one paste before letting sit on the stain for about an hour until all etching has cleared away. Then you can proceed to clean the marble normally and apply sealant.
Have a preventive cleaning routine
To protect your marble tables, it is important to maintain the surface by cleaning up spills immediately. Acidic substances should also be avoided as they can cause lasting damage and stains on these beautiful materials. Keep knives safe from staining or etching while using them for cutting food items such as meat off the bone – use both coaster sets with place mats underneath each other. If you spill something onto one side they will still be protected against what happens when things get stuck between their raised edges.
Hire A Professional Marble Cleaner
While it is necessary that you know how to take care of your marble and carry out simple routine cleaning, it is also necessary to hire a professional marble cleaner at least once a year to do deep cleaning of all your marbles. They possess the right tool, eco-friendly chemicals and the skills to get the job done. Therefore, if you are having a problem cleaning marble benchtops, tabletops, and other surfaces, hire a professional today!
