Marble is a popular choice for flooring and countertops because it adds elegance, class and character to your home. What’s more, it is a completely natural and highly durable organic material, making it a better alternative to synthetic construction materials.
While marble is better for the environment and your home, natural stone is prone to stains and etches. It is more porous than engineered stones like quartz, Epoxy granite or soapstone, making it susceptible to light scratching, erosion, and other physical damages. Renters can lose their
bond money if marble floors, countertops or other fixtures get damaged during bond cleaning in Melbourne.
What’s more,
repair or replacement of marble is an avoidable expense for homeowners & tenants, which is why you must know how to clean and sanitise marble carefully and correctly.
To help you, listed below are ways you can get stains out of marble and keep your floors, countertops and shelves spotless all year round. Also, read on to find marble cleaning mistakes to avoid.
Marble surfaces can stain easily, especially when they are light-coloured. Stains can look light yellow, brown or red, depending on the cause. Thus, you must know how to get different stains out of marble.
1. Get Rid of Rust Stains with Oxalic Acid
Although you shouldn’t use acid for cleaning marble, oxalic acid is a natural compound actually used to polish the natural stone. It is a great substitute to
toxic cleaning products as well. You can use it to treat rust stains too because the compound can break the bonds of iron oxide and turn it into water-soluble salt.
Just take the oxalic acid powder and apply it on a damp sponge. Scrub the marble with the powder for 5 minutes vigorously, then wash thoroughly with water.
2. Remove Grease & Oil Stains with Baking Soda
Marble in your kitchen can become pale and yellow due to grease and oil stains. To get them out naturally, make a paste of baking soda, dishwashing liquid and water in a bowl and apply it generously on the affected area. Wait for 15-20 minutes, then scrub with a firm sponge or brush before washing with warm water.
You can use this paste to sanitise almost any household surface while
vacate cleaning in Melbourne.
3. Treat Mineral Stains, Mould Spots & Other Stains with Hydrogen Peroxide
If your marble surfaces have hard water deposits,
black mould stains, ink marks, or organic stains, get rid of them with hydrogen peroxide. Use 12% hydrogen peroxide and add it to a spray bottle. Spread paper towels on the stained marble and spray the solution undiluted over them. Wait 10 minutes, collect the paper towels, and then wash the surface with soap and water.
For extremely stubborn stains, make a paste of cream of tartar with hydrogen peroxide and apply it to the stains. Wait 5-10 minutes or until the bubbling subsides to scrub a little, then wipe with a damp microfiber cloth. Thus paste can also clean multiple surfaces, so it comes in handy when you are doing bond cleaning in Melbourne.
Marble Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid
Since marble is expensive, you must clean it correctly to avoid damaging the natural stone during
general house cleaning or bond cleaning in Melbourne. Here are some common errors you can make while sanitising marble floors, countertops, shelves or fixtures.
1. Never use Vinegar or other Acidic Cleaners on Marble
Marble is a natural and porous stone that absorbs the acid in these cleaners and starts to break down. It causes erosion which leaves the stone permanently damaged. Shallow damage can be treated with buffing, but excessive damage necessitates replacement which is costly.
2. Always Test Cleaners Before Applying on a Surface
To avoid damage to your marble floor, countertops or other surfaces, always test a new cleaner. Apply it as per the direction on the label to an inconspicuous spot to ensure it doesn’t react adversely with the surface. Only proceed with the cleaner when it is safe to use on the surface. This step will save you a lot of hassle.
3. Don’t Use Harsh Cleaning Tools
Compared to engineered stone and synthetic building materials, marble can get etching (scratches, dents, and other physical damage) quickly. Therefore, steel wool and scouring pads are cleaning products to never use on marble. Most stains and spots from marble are easy to remove with soap and water.
Additionally, baking soda and hydrogen peroxide also work well and reduce the need for harsh tools and
clean more sustainably.
Wrapping Up
Marble is one of the best construction materials, and it elevates the look of every home. It is durable but requires proper cleaning to maintain its appearance. Therefore, if your marble surfaces and fixtures have stains, use this guide to take them out without stress and make the marble shine like new.
