Marble is considered a unique natural material that has been used by mankind for many centuries. Nowadays, more and more people are using marble to decorate the interior of their homes. Caring for marble has its own characteristics, neglect of which can lead to damage to the product.
In Europe, people pay special attention to the protection of natural stone coatings. However, in our country, people sometimes choose the most expensive types of stone, but do not care at all about protecting the natural material and do not care for it at all. But marble, like any other material, needs care. And proper care of it with the help of marble cleaning products can provide the stone with its original appearance for a long time, and will also help to avoid replacing the marble product.
Marble care
All you need to care for marble is a soft cloth, clean water and a piece of suede. Every day, wipe the marble product with a soft cloth soaked in water, and then polish it until shiny with a piece of suede. It is recommended to wash marble surfaces with warm detergent several times a year. A solution of dishwashing detergent is suitable for this. After treating the surface with detergent, wash the marble with clean water and polish with a dry towel or a piece of suede.
If you stain a marble surface with something, try to immediately remove the stain with a sponge and warm water so that the marble does not have time to absorb the dyes. If you spill red wine, immediately blot the stain with a napkin, but do not rub it, otherwise the stain will remain on the surface of the marble product. After removing the stain, wash the surface of the natural stone again with clean water and wipe with a dry cloth. Now let's try to figure out how to properly wash marble in order to remove dirt and at the same time not leave streaks on the marble.
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Safe stain removers
Marble cleaning is carried out only with specialized preparations that are gentle on natural stone and cannot damage its surface. Bellinzoni brand products are rightfully considered leaders in this niche.
The following products have proven themselves to be the best:
- Stone Care Kit. This is a whole care kit not only for floors, but also for all marble products. It includes a cleaning agent, a protective coating, and a polish.
- Spray RR/1. As the name suggests, this is a foamy spray cleaner that, thanks to its texture, penetrates deeply into the thickness of the stone and effectively pushes contaminants out. The product is safe for stone, easy to use and can be used for daily care of marble floors.
- Mangia Macchia paste copes well with organic dirt, grease stains and coloring liquids. The composition does not contain coarse abrasive particles, it is not capable of disturbing the integrity of the stone polishing, and no streaks appear on the surface. Can be used for both light stains and deep cleaning.
- Detergent LEM-3. A deep cleaning product that helps remove old and severe dirt from the surface. It comes in the form of a concentrate, so it must be diluted with plenty of water. But if the dirt is very ingrained, then the marble cleaner can be applied in its pure form.
- Rusteater. The simplest concentrated product, which comes in gel form. Suitable for removing rust from the surface of natural stone. You can fully care for marble with its help only in the case of countertops in the bathroom or kitchen.
How to wash marble
Washing marble consists of two stages. This is cleaning the surface from contamination and protecting the stone.
First, you need to dry clean and remove solid particles of dirt, dust and small debris from the marble surface using a soft brush. Next, the marble product must be treated with a special daily care product (for example, LEM-3 or Bellinzoni). If the marble is too heavily soiled, then concentrated cleaning solutions are used to remove stubborn stains (for example, Ultra Stripper). After wet cleaning, you need to leave the marble surface alone for a while and let it dry naturally. Next, you can begin treating the surface with protective agents. Today, marble surfaces can be protected in 3 main ways:
- surface treatment with wax, which creates a protective film on the surface of the stone and gives the product a pristine shine;
- impregnation of the surface with dirt-repellent agents. In this case, the impregnation penetrates deep into the stone and creates a film that prevents the penetration of dirt, various liquids and oils. Moreover, some dirt-repellent agents have a toning effect. By applying this product to marble, you can give it the effect of wet stone;
- a mixed method, which includes treating marble with stain-repellent impregnation and wax. Mixed-type drugs such as Idea HP and Bellinzoni have proven themselves well.
There are also combined detergents for marble, which contain synthetic or natural wax. These cleaning products are great for everyday marble maintenance.
Sometimes after washing the marble surface it is necessary to apply polish. For example, marble floors are best treated with a polish with an anti-slip effect (polish AS-11).
How not to clean marble
Do not clean marble with Coca-Cola, vinegar, orange juice, as well as sand, chalk chips and other abrasives. In addition, it is not recommended to remove dirt from the marble surface with products containing aggressive acids and preparations intended for cleaning ceramic tiles. Please note that even weak acids can destroy the structure of the stone, and any abrasive agents leave scratches on the surface of the marble.
What should not be used to clean marble floors?
The complete list of products that should absolutely not be used to clean marble floors is as follows:
- Household chemical cleaning products. Even the lightest acid can ruin the structure of marble, and powders often leave behind scratches. Ceramic tile care products are also not suitable for treating marble surfaces.
- Untested “folk” remedies that may turn out to be not only useless, but also detrimental to the marble coating.
- Liquids containing acid, such as vinegar, can cause serious damage to the coating.
If you decide to use natural marble in your interior, then you should not ignore the necessary measures to care for it, try to maintain its attractive appearance. Only with proper care will a marble floor retain its beauty and last a long time.
Removing stains on marble
The most important thing in removing stains on marble is to find the cause of the stains. First, make a cleaning paste out of some white material, such as a paper napkin or paper towel. Soak a napkin or towel in the cleaning solution and spread it over the entire surface of the stain. Leave it on for 2-24 hours, depending on the cleaning product and the degree of soiling. Cover the “paste” with a damp cloth and plastic wrap to prevent the mixture from drying out. After a few hours, remove any remaining tissue and cleaning product with a damp cloth. Repeat the procedure if necessary.
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How to properly clean marble floors at home
Wet cleaning of marble floors is recommended 1-2 times a week. If contaminated with any substance, you should immediately blot the stain with a paper towel, napkin, or even a soft cloth. Just don’t leave it for too long so that it doesn’t get absorbed into the stone, and don’t rub it. Clean the floor in two stages - cleaning and protection:
- First, remove debris, dirt, and dust using a dry soft brush.
- Then they carry out wet cleaning during and after drying, and treat them with a special protective composition.
Concentrated products are designed to remove strong, stubborn dirt. There is no need to use circular movements; rub the floor along the marble fibers. You need distilled water and a microfiber mop. Highly hard and hot water negatively affects the shine of the floor.
Removing tea, coffee and tobacco stains
Such stains leave pinkish marks on the marble. If the marble product is located on the street, then they can pass on their own, becoming lighter due to the sun's rays and being washed out by rain. But indoors, it is better to remove this type of pollution using special cleaning products. For this, a mixture prepared from a few drops of ammonia and a 20% solution of hydrogen peroxide is suitable. Soak a napkin in stain remover and leave it for a day. After this, rinse the marble with warm water, then wipe with impregnation and polish until shiny.
How to prevent the formation of stains and prevent the destruction of marble?
If the marble floor is in the hallway, you should protect the surface and lay out a rug, otherwise street dirt and sand stuck to your shoes will definitely leave scratches.
You should not walk on natural stone floors in your home with shoes. The best way to preserve its original appearance is to walk on it barefoot, which, however, is not always possible.
A marble countertop is a stylish decorative element, but it gets dirty easily. Therefore, it is imperative to use cutting boards for cutting food.
Glass glasses must be placed on special stands, especially glasses with wine. Hot dishes should also not be placed on an unprotected stone countertop.
Only specialized products should be used for marble, and then at home, natural stone will retain its original appearance for a long time.
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Removing oil stains from lotions, oils, grease, cosmetics
Grease stains can leave dark marks on the surface of marble. If you notice such a stain, apply any absorbent powder, such as starch, to it as soon as possible. After some time, remove the powder and apply a new one. Do this several times. Leave the last portion of starch for 24 hours, and then remove it using any detergent for marble surfaces (alternatively, you can use an aqueous solution of ammonia). Wipe the marble dry, treat with impregnation and polish.
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If the stain is not removed, use a solvent. Soak a napkin (several napkins) in acetone, open the windows and leave them on the stain. Do not keep the mixture for too long to avoid poisoning, as acetone vapors are poisonous, and do not use acetone near heating appliances and gas stoves.
Preventing wear and damage to marble floors
Cleaning companies are no less interested than the owner in ensuring that cleaning the premises produces excellent results. Professional cleaning of marble floors is not enough here - it requires maintaining protection.
Rules for caring for marble floors:
- collect all spilled liquids immediately;
- do not place iron on the bare floor, which can rust when wet;
- be careful about street dirt getting on your shoes - winter reagents are very aggressive substances that are dangerous for marble;
- in areas of intense wear, cover the stone with mastics more often to keep the pores protected;
- use local protective mats in places where the surface can be easily damaged or stained (entrance area, kitchen, coffee machine).
If preventive measures do not work, then crystallize the marble floor. This can be done manually or using a machine. The technology is simple, affordable and effective. The crystallization agent is added to the water. Apply the solution to the surface using a bulky rag that can hold a significant volume.
Caring for your marble floor in combination with professional cleaning will save your money, nerves and reputation. A sparkling room where the floors look like a work of art is what will get you a contract with a good cleaning company.
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Overview of special care products
There are many professional cleaners specifically for marble surfaces that will help keep your floors clean and shiny. They contain the correct pH level. Before use, carefully read the instructions. When choosing a detergent, it is advisable to consult with the stone manufacturer.
Stone Care kit
This set includes 3 products of 200 ml each. To clean the stone, it penetrates deep into the pores, draws out dirt, and cleans the surface. The protective coating is sprayed in a thin layer and wiped with a clean cloth. The polish is applied in an even layer to add shine.
How to remove stains correctly
They use their own remedies for different types of stains. The main thing is not to mix the components, use them separately. It is better to entrust the resulting cracks and chips to professionals for restoration.
Divorces
Stains from uncolored liquids should be blotted with a paper towel. Then wipe the contaminated area with a sponge soaked in a mild soap solution. Wipe dry with a towel. Polish with a soft cloth.
Organic
You can clean stains from coffee, tea, juice, gas water, and tobacco using hydrogen peroxide. Moisten a paper napkin with it, apply it to the stain, place a wet rag on top and cover with film. After 24 hours, remove the residue with a napkin, rinse with water and wipe. You can also use baking soda dissolved in warm water.
Grease and oil contamination
Cleaning contaminants from vegetable oil and butter is done with starch. Pour the powder onto the stain and remove it after absorption. Then the procedure is repeated and the starch is left for several hours. The surface is thoroughly washed with a special cleaning agent.
They also use acetone - moisten several paper napkins and place them on the area with the stain. Remove after a few minutes. A napkin soaked in alcohol helps.
Rust
To remove rust, you will need professional products. Before using them, you should carefully read the instructions and do not leave the substance on the surface longer than indicated.
Plant pollution
Mold, mildew, and algae can be easily removed using hydrogen peroxide or ammonia.
Ink
Peroxide and ammonia are used on white floors, and acetone on black floors. Then the surface is polished with wax.
Dye
Oil, acrylic, latex paint is removed from the surface of marble using vegetable oil. Solvents are not used. Then wash with soap and water.
Raindrops
Before it rains, stains are removed with dishwashing detergent and a thin metal sponge.
Prevention measures
To protect an expensive marble floor from contamination, several rules must be followed:
- put a good quality rug in the hallway;
- It is better to remove snow from shoes immediately, salt oxidizes marble and leads to damage;
- keep pets away from the floor to avoid scratches;
- Clean up spilled drinks immediately;
- do not walk on stones in shoes;
- do not place iron objects;
- use special care substances.
Neglecting these tips can lead to loss of the attractive appearance of the floor covering and damage to the integrity of the product.
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Ways to protect flooring
Several protection methods will help keep the stone shiny and beautiful.
Using wax
Wax creates a protective film that lasts a long time and preserves the expensive floor. However, there are also disadvantages - it requires periodic cleaning and updating of the layer.
Special dirt-repellent agents
Such compositions prevent various contaminants from penetrating deep into the marble, create a protective film, and make the floor easier to clean. Impregnation with dirt-repellent agents tints the floor, it shines and appears damp.
Combination of impregnation and wax
The combined method is considered the best. Mixed formulations are sold in stores and do not need to be prepared at home.
Polishing
Polishing protects the stone from abrasions and scratches. Special means are divided into several types:
- give the stone a matte shine without a mirror effect;
- products with a mirror shine;
- means that give the surface an anti-slip effect, and the floor becomes less traumatic.
Polishing restores dull floors.
