Marble floors always remind me of a luxurious spa.  They are beautiful and if cared for properly they stay that way.  Marble floors are an investment into your home and it’s longevity.  Knowing how to care for them properly is essential to making sure to get your money’s worth out of them.

Marble flooring is part of the limestone family.  Coming from the limestone family means that Marble is composed of calcium carbonate.  It’s an extremely durable material.  It’s also found in your teeth and bones – so you know it will stand the test of time.

While not as complex as other floors to clean, Marble has a long list of “things to do” to ensure it’s care for properly.  Marble is a very strong material, albeit sensitive.  Follow the tips below carefully to learn everything you need to know about cleaning your marble floors.

Regularly remove surface dirt from your marble flooring.

The best way to do this is by using a dry and clean dust mop.  Make sure it’s not damp and hasn’t been treated with any cleaning or polishing spray.  Use that dust mop or sweeper to remove dirt that has been left behind on the surface.  It’s best to do this at least once a day.  More active and busy households may need this twice per day.  This is most important step in cleaning your marble floors.  Your floor can get scratched or etched by left behind dirt getting moved around under pressure.




Say no to man-made cleaners designated for ceramic. 

Many people have ruined their floors thinking they can clean them with ceramic tile cleaner.  Even though they look and feel similar, these two options have different make-ups.  Since marble is a natural stone it could be dulled or damaged by use of this product.  Only cleaners that have been concentrated with a neutral pH and are acid-free should be used.

Use warm water to clean your marble floors.

If you don’t have a cleaner with a neutral pH or you don’t like using them, your best choice would be to use warm water only.  Be careful and don’t get the mop too wet, Marble is porous and can absorb excess quickly.  Don’t use dirty water, change it or risk scratches.

Don’t “air dry” your marble flooring.

If you mopped with water only and still want that shine, you’re going to have to skip on the air dry and put in some work.  Pick up a dry and clean cloth.  Make sure it’s soft and then get to work drying the floor.  This is done best in sections and is also the best way to maintain the shine without buying a cleaner.

Don’t use vinegar to clean marble floors.

Vinegar cleans everything, right? Wrong.  Vinegar is a very acidic liquid.  Since marble is mostly comprised of calcium carbonate, acid will cause more harm than good.  Keep any acidic cleaning solutions away from marble.  Even a mild vinegar solution can cause the surface to etch over time.

Don’t use scouring powders, creams or any alkaline products. 

These products contain small abrasive particles that do the job.  Just like dirt left on the floor, those small abrasive particles can scratch the surface of your marble floor.

Don’t use a vacuum cleaner on marble flooring.

It doesn’t matter if it’s handheld or upright, stick to clean dry cloths for marble floors. Wheels of vacuums as well as plastic on a hose or nozzle can easily scratch the surface of your marble.  For the same reason it may be a good idea to keep your marble floors in the “no shoe” zone.




Polish your marble floors, but not too often.

Polishing is a must with marble floors.  It doesn’t need to be done often but it does wear out and will require attention every once in a while.  Don’t skip because you think it’s just aesthetics.  Polishing decreases the absorbency rate and bring out the color of the stone.

Always clean spills immediately

It’s only acceptable to cry over spilled milk if you have marble floors. Any substance spilled has the potential to be absorbed and cause harm to your floor.  Pay extra close attention to things that are acidic, like wine, coffee and fruit juice.

Protect your marble floors

Keep your marble looking good by using mats and rugs in high traffic areas.  This will not only trap the dirt that causes scratches and etches but it will also help keep from being a slave to the broom. Make sure you put felt on the tips and corners of all furniture.  Even the lightest table can cause a deep scratch.

What about unsealed marble floors?

If you aren’t sure if your marble floors are sealed or not it’s best to test them. Marble opposed to granite has high absorption problems.  That means that marble that hasn’t been treated will soak up spills.  Marble that needs to be re-treated will do the same.  To perform the test, place about 2 tablespoons of water on the floor.  Let it sit there for 10 to 15 minutes undisturbed. If it soaks in, you need to treat it.  If it sits on top, you’re good to go!

Marble flooring can be easy with the proper maintenance schedule.  It doesn’t even require any cleaning products, just a ton of TLC.  If you find yourself with untreated marble or floors that are looking a little worse for wear, it doesn’t hurt to call a professional.

If you notice old waxy build-up or chronically dull floors then you may have a buffing situation on your hands.  Renting a buffer is possible, but knowing how to operate it and how to handle delicate marble isn’t common knowledge. If you feel your floors need to be re-sealed, that is also best left for a professional.




At Cleaning Services C, our experienced professionals can handle everything your marble floors need,  Let us take care of your investment and help provide you with shiny and luxurious floors for years to come.

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