Keeping walkways clean is tricky at the best of times, especially in high-traffic areas such as corridors or open-plan kitchens. This is made increasingly difficult when you are dealing with a delicate, porous material like marble. Sadly, it is susceptible to stains, however this shouldn’t deter you from choosing this stylish surface. As marble needs regular upkeep to prevent the build-up of dust, this isn’t ideal for those with busy schedules. Exploring the best steam mops (opens in new tab) will inspire you to find efficient solutions for everyday cleans, so your flooring remains spotless. Only certain cleaning agents should be used with marble, and it is best to steer clear of anything acidic or abrasive. To help you streamline your cleaning process, and get your floors shining, we have put together a few handy tips that will help you keep on top of daily chores and tricky stains.
How often you should clean marble floors
Dust is the enemy of marble, and no matter how busy your home is, this can accumulate quickly. When this builds up, it can create small scratches that will dull the shine and allow liquids to penetrate the surface. This will harm any marble floor for good, so it is vital to sweep and use a microfiber cloth to lightly dust. We also recommend removing shoes before walking on marble, so that no mud or grime is traipsed through the room. To stay on top of this, you should lightly clean multiple times a week, or more if you have pets who shed hairs. Soft, non-abrasive cloths will be best for this - try to avoid using the best vacuum cleaners (opens in new tab) as the attachments come with a risk of further scratching the fragile surface.
What you should use to clean marble floors
Often, your floors will need a deeper clean than simply dusting and sweeping. This will help to remove any built-in dirt, as well as spills that occur in cooking and living areas. However, just because the grime is more stubborn, this doesn’t mean you should jump to using chemicals or complex methods. Simple is certainly best - so read on for our easy-to-follow guide on how to care for this sensitive stone floor.
How to clean stains on marble floors
In an ideal world, the stress of removing stains from marble would be a distant memory, not an unfortunate reality. One way to combat this is to opt for prevention. Now, this isn’t to say accidents themselves can be stopped, as many mishaps cannot be foreseen. However, the right preparation can make dinner party wine spills and pet accidents easier to manage. Opting for a marble sealant is one way to lessen the impact of stains. They can’t make a surface stain-proof, but they do make it stain-resistant - giving you a buffer for fetching cleaning supplies. John Krause, Managing Director of Diespeker & Co, confirms “When the floor has been sealed it can be stain-resistant for between one to eight hours after contact. But it is always better to remove stains immediately. Try blotting first, then use a damp cloth and neutral cleaner before drying the area with a clean cloth.” It is also wise to invest in felt pads for the bottom of furniture, for example chair legs that often move across the floor. This will help to prevent scratching, as well as any indents caused by the prolonged positioning of heavy items. Invest in some door mats to place at entrances too, so that any mud or rainwater can be kept contained. However, when spills do occur, you can follow these instructions to make a marble poultice which will give your floor the best chance of looking brand new again. Discover more guides for the home… Best top load washers (opens in new tab) Best dishwashers (opens in new tab) Best dryers (opens in new tab) Best steam mops (opens in new tab) Best robot vacuums (opens in new tab)