Routine cleaning of marble floors can prevent damage and keep the marble beautiful. Three things the homeowner should know: Prevention, Cleaning without Damage, and Stain Removal.
Prevention
There is two classes of preventions 1. The daily things that the homeowner can do, and 2. Professional services that provide future protection.
The homeowner should prevent damaging grit tracked in by foot. Large mats placed at each outside door will collect outside grit and soil. These mats should be shaken or vacuumed frequently. The floor should be vacuumed frequently. Be sure that the vacuum lifts the grit and soil and does not push it around.
Prevent contact between staining materials and the floor. Put plastic castors under wood and metal furniture feet. Metals will oxidize (rust) and wood will leach tannins. Put plastic trays under potted plants. The pot itself can stain the floor and dark stains are leached from the plant soil. Do not use rubber pads under rugs; the rubber contains sulfur. Also do not use rough fiber pads; they can scratch marble.
Wipe up spills promptly. Moisture will pull stains into the minute crevasses between marble crystals. Acids will dissolve the calcium carbonate in the marble, creating dull, etched spots.
Professional applications of stone sealers are effective in preventing stains from penetrating marble. Professional resurfacing of dull, scratched or worn marble will create a hard, smooth finish that resists soiling and stains. A professionally resurfaced floor is also easier to clean because the smooth surface does not have uneven spots that trap dirt.
Cleaning without damage
The best results can be obtained by using the right materials before soil accumulates. The best cleaner is a pH neutral cleaner formulated for cleaning natural stone. These cleaners contain minerals that can replace minerals stripped by pollution. Stone cleaners are available from many stone retailers. They are highly concentrated, and are actually economical to use.
Use only tools with plastic and soft fiber parts. Mops and wet vacuums should not have any metal parts; these can scratch marble.
Dilute 1 or 2 ounces of the stone cleaner in a 3 to 5 gallon bucket of clean, warm water. Fill another bucket with more clean, warm water. Apply the cleaner with the mop, and then rinse the dirty mop in the second bucket of rinse water. Vacuum up the dirty water or squeeze the mop dry and mop up the dirty water on the floor. Rinse the mop again.
Empty both buckets; clean them well and rinse the mop. Refill both buckets with clean, warm water. Apply the rinse water to the floor. Vacuum up the rinse water or squeeze the mop dry and mop up the rinse water on the floor.
Do not use green, nylon scrubbing pads; they are harder than the marble and will scratch it. Do not use abrasive cleaners; they will scratch the stone. Do not use thick, creamy cleaners; they will stick in the natural pours of the stone. Soft squeegees, soft sponges and soft, natural cloths are ok.
A stronger solution of stone cleaners can loosen small areas of stubborn dirt. Apply with a sponge and allow the cleaner to penetrate the soil. Wipe up thoroughly and rinse well.
Stain removal
First. Determine whether the stain is water based (wine, etc.) or oil based (salad dressing). Some stone retailers sell poultices that can usually absorb the stain, until it is virtually undetectable. Follow the directions exactly. Usually the poultice is slightly moistened with a suitable liquid, and then spread over the stain. The poultice is usually covered with plastic wrap so that it remains moist. After the specified time has past, remove the plastic cover and wipe up the poultice. Clean with stone cleaner. If two applications of the poultice do not lighten the stain, it has penetrated the stone too deeply. Consult with a professional; resurfacing the stone can remove some stubborn but shallow stains.
(cn-stonenet.com)
