Marble is a timeless flooring material that is available in a variety of colors and patterns. And everyone knows there’s nothing like having beautiful marble cool underfoot on exiting the shower.
However, it’s delicate and porous, which makes it susceptible to stains. Therefore, avoid certain cleaning agents when cleaning your bathroom’s marble floor.
Remove any dust or dirt that may have collected using a dry, clean cloth or soft dry mop. Never drag the cloth or brush hard across the surface as this can cause scratches. Flush the area with plain water to neutralize its pH and dry thoroughly.
How Often Should You Clean Your Bathroom Marble Floor?
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Clean marble shower grout, floor tiles, and walls every day if you use the shower more than once or twice a day. If it uses it less frequently, clean at least once a week.
What cleaning products are safe to use on marble?
You should clean marble surfaces with soft cotton cloths and a household cleaner specially formulated for stone. Always test the cleaner on an inconspicuous area to ensure it does not damage the surface.
Homemade Solutions
To clean the floor, make a diluted ammonia solution. This is a mixture of 0.5 cups ammonia with 1 gallon of warm water. You should only do this in well-ventilated areas and open a window when you’re done.
Cleaning expert Mary Findley advises adding 1/4 cup isopropyl alcohol to a 32-ounce spray bottle, filling it with water, and spraying the surface with the solution. In order to get more cleaning power out of the mixture, Findley recommends adding a drop of an organic liquid dishwashing detergent (that contains no phosphorous or degreasers) to the mix.
If your marble is extremely dirty, make a stronger cleaning solution by mixing two tablespoons of ammonia with 1 quart of water. To clean badly stained marble, mix baking soda and ammonia or hydrogen peroxide to create a paste.
Apply the paste gently and never scrub the surface with brushes or abrasive tools, as these will scratch the surface.
If you notice an oily mark on your marble, apply some cornstarch to the stain and let it remain long enough to draw out the stain. Finally, rinse the area with pure water and dry thoroughly to keep your marble protected.
DIY marble floor cleaners that are safe for marble are:
Mild dish soap and Hot Water
Regular dish soap can clean your marble floor? All you need is a dilute solution, a bucket of sudsy water, and a soft cloth to buff up the floor afterward.
Dawn Dish Soap here on Amazon!
Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a safe, effective, and easy-to-use product for removing tough soap stains on light marble. Be careful not to use it on dark marble as it can cause discoloration. Always test an inconspicuous area first.
Hydrogen Peroxide Topical Solution here on Amazon!
Acetone
Found in many nail polish removers, acetone is a chemical compound that has cleaning properties similar to hydrogen peroxide but without discoloration. To use it, dip a cotton swap in acetone and gently work out the stains. Rinse the area with plenty of plain water.
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Cornstarch
If you get a spill on marble, like oil or coffee, place some cornstarch over the spill and leave it overnight. The cornstarch will draw fluids out of marble stains and absorb them to make a clean-up easier in the morning. A paste made from cornstarch is perfect for taking care of isolated stains and scuff marks. This can also replace more expensive commercial grout cleaners.
Baking soda
Baking soda is a natural alkali cleaner that can be used for a range of cleaning tasks. To use it, mix hot water, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide or ammonia, to form a paste.
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Ammonia
Ammonia is an effective cleaning solution for marble surfaces, but it can be dangerous and should always be diluted before use. You should also work in well-ventilated areas and make sure to read the instructions carefully before use.
Commercial Solutions
If you’re looking for an easy way to clean your stone surfaces, try Take it For Granite.
Merry Maids’ Home Cleaning Expert Debra Johnson recommends this product because it’s quick and easy and won’t damage your surfaces.
Take it for Granite Stone Cleaner here on Amazon!
Other recommended tile cleaners are:
- MB Stone Care’s Spray Cleaner – This marble care product was chosen because of the company’s history and reputation in the industry. Several other marble care websites also recommended it, including those from the US, Europe, and Australia.
- Marble and Travertine Cleaner – MarbleLife is a world-leading marble restoration service and the largest provider of marble floor polishing services in the world.
- Granite Gold’s Daily Cleaner – Granite Gold has 50 years of experience in stone installation and restoration and has almost 5,000 4 and 5-star reviews on Amazon.
- Marble and Tile Concentrated Cleaner – made by Black Diamond, a company that has been making marble care products since 1997. After 20 years, they are still the best in the industry! This product is concentrated, which means it’s cheaper than the traditional cleaners.
- Zep Clean Stone Plus – Zep is a multifunctional cleaning supply company that has been making commercial cleaning products for numerous industries since 1937.
Steps For Cleaning A Marble Bathroom Floor
1. Use A Soft Dust Mop For Surface Dust and Dirt
Cleaning your marble bathroom floor is a task that requires patience and precision. Always start by sweeping up the dirt, dust, and other loose particles on the floor with a dry dust mop. Be sure to choose a microfiber mophead. Sweep the floor by shaking the dust mop into a trash can frequently. Never sweep with a broom with stiff bristles.
2. Dampen The Floor with Clean Water
Next, dampen the floor. If you’re not sure about the quality of your water, use distilled or pure water. Don’t use water that contains limescale or rust. It is very important not to pour the water directly onto the floor, as it can soak up and cause a slippery surface. Instead, use a spray bottle or wrung-out mop to apply the water.
3. Apply A Mild Cleaner with a Soft Rag or Mop
When you’re looking for a cleaning product for your marble floor, be sure to find a gentle and non-abrasive liquid that has a neutral pH and follow the directions on the label completely.
4. Dry thoroughly with a Soft Cloth
One of the most important things you need to do after mopping the floor is making sure it is complete.
How to Restore Shine to Marble
Etching can be caused by acidic or harsh chemicals, repeated scraping, or water that wasn’t dried quickly enough. To restore shine to a marble surface:
- Clean the middle following the instructions listed above.
- A soft, damp towel can be used to moisten etched parts of the marble.
- Rub polishing powder into the marble with a dry cloth.
- To finish up, use a different damp, clean damp rag to remove the residue.
- To prevent further damage, apply a sealer. You should seal your marble floor every time you repair etching for the best results.
Some Quick FAQs about Cleaning Marble
Is Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner safe for marble?
Yes. A pH-neutral cleaner like Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner is perfect for the marble shower floors you love so much. It dissolves tough stains and watermarks without damaging the marble.
Can you use Clorox wipes on marble?
No, Clorox products do not work on marble countertops because the bleach in them can etch and dull the marble finish.
How do I clean and sanitize marble?
Have a daily marble sanitizing routine.
- To clean the surface, use a stone-safe cleaner to remove all liquid and soil.
- For disinfecting, use MicroGold® Multi-Action Disinfectant Antimicrobial Spray. a sister brand to Granite Gold®. This spray kills 99.9% of bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. It’s safe for use on sealed stone surfaces.
- In order to kill viruses and bacteria, allow the solution to sit on the surface for 3 minutes.
- Be sure and maintain a proper seal on the surface.’
What about cleaning marble with baking soda?
There are many websites that advocate using baking soda to clean and polish marble countertops.
However, though acceptable in a crunch, baking soda is not the best option for cleaning marble floors. Due to its higher pH, water and hand soap is a better option than baking soda.
What cleaning products are safe to use on marble floors?
This is best answered by making yourself a “do not use on marble” warning list. You should not use acidic products such as lemon, lime, or vinegar to clean your marble floor.
These products can eat away at the marble, causing it to become porous and fade quickly.
How Often Should You Clean Your Bathroom Marble Floor?
You should clean your marble bathroom floors at least twice a week if the shower is used more than once each day.
Otherwise, a thorough weekly cleaning will keep everything shining as it should.
