Marble Cleaning Tips

If your marble floors or countertops are looking a bit lackluster, chances are they're begging for a cleaning. Then again, those streaks or that surface film could instead signal that you've over-cleaned the surface, using too much soap.

Yes, the results of over-cleaning and under-cleaning this stone surface are roughly the same. Either way, the solution is the same, too - you'll need to polish them.

The important thing is this: Follow the marble polishing product's directions to the letter, using neither too little nor too much of the cleaner.

Or, if you'd like to get back to square one, call in a professional stone artisan who can professionally polish your marble (and reseal if necessary) for you. And in the future, keep these marble cleaning tips in mind. These marble cleaning tips can help keep your surfaces lustrous and scratch-free.

• Keep marble surfaces clean. Dust or wipe dingy, dirty surfaces with a damp cloth. 

• Don't let spills or food sit on your marble. Clean up spills as they happen.

• If the inevitable happens (food sits and dries), tackle the spots by sprinkling a bit of borax or baking powder on them. Rub gently with a damp sponge or cloth. Loosen the food and remove it. Wipe clean with a damp, clean cloth. 
  

• Warm water only should be used on the floor. Vinegar, often added as a cleaning agent, is acidic and will make your floor's surface look worse. 

• Always polish-dry your marble floors and countertops. As you know, marble spots quite easily.
  

Marble Cleaning to Remove Water Spots

To remove water spots from marble floors and countertops, apply several drops of hydrogen peroxide with a medicine dropper, followed with a drop or two of ammonia.

This may create a cloud of fumes, but it is not toxic. After 20 minutes, wipe the marble clean.

Polish with a stone sealer or marble polish , which covers up the small scratches and restores marble's natural gloss. Or, try a soap scum-removal product such as Tilex, which works well on water spots.