Property owners love marble tile for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, there’s the fact that it simply looks great and is available in a wide range of colours, designs and finishes.
But marble is also an incredibly durable and long-lasting natural material. It comes with great insulating properties and works well in just about any room, no matter whether it’s installed on the floor or on the walls. Beyond all of these benefits, you might be surprised to learn that marble is also a more affordable material than you might initially have thought.
But like anything, in order to keep marble tile looking great, it needs to be properly cared for. What you put into it is what you’ll get out of it. In this post, we’ll cover everything you need to know to maintain the beauty of marble tile. Read on to learn more:
Maintaining the Beauty of Marble Tile: Cleaning Techniques
Basic Marble Tile Flooring Maintenance
Marble floors are fairly easy to care for. Routine care should consist of daily dust mopping to remove any dirt and other debris from the floor. Vacuuming is also an option, but it should only be carried out with brush attachments. Plastic or metal attachments – and even the wrong type of vacuum cleaner wheels – could potentially scratch the floor.
Additionally, in order to prevent stains and water absorption, any spills should be cleaned up quickly. Spills should be blotted up (not wiped up) to prevent the liquid from spreading.
Basic Marble Tile Maintenance in Showers and on Backsplashes
One of the nice things about marble tile is its versatility, as it can be installed in bathroom showers and as kitchen backsplashes. However, marble tiles in these areas also require maintenance.
In showers, personal care products like shampoos and conditioners can cloud or discolor the tile over time. Soap scum may also build up, dulling the natural beauty of marble. This can all be prevented by regularly rinsing the tile and occasionally cleaning the surface with a neutral pH cleaner or manufacturer-recommended product.
In the kitchen, regular cleaning is important to prevent food and drink stains. Perform regular routine cleaning with dish soap and warm water, making sure you dry the surface.
What Not to Do
While we’ve covered the basics involved with cleaning marble, it’s worth taking a look at what not to do when caring for this tile to avoid damage. For instance:
- Refrain from using cleaners containing acids or any harsh chemicals. Mild dish soap and warm water are all you need to effectively clean marble.
- Don’t use a padded dust mop that’s treated with chemicals for routine dust mopping. Stick to the soft dust mop.
- Don’t use plastic or metal vacuum cleaner attachments to remove dirt and debris from marble flooring. These parts have the potential to scratch the marble floor.
Marble Tile Sealing Techniques
Sealing Basics
Marble is a porous material that absorbs moisture and stains fairly easily, which underscores the importance of properly sealing it. Marble tile should be sealed following installation and every year or two years after that to prevent moisture intrusion and keep the floor looking great. It’s fairly easy to seal a marble floor and shouldn’t take longer than an hour per application.
Test it
To determine if your marble floor requires sealing, pour a little bit of water onto its surface and then blot it up after letting it sit for 15-20 minutes. If there’s a dark mark on the tile’s surface, it’s indicative that the tile absorbed the water and a new sealing coat is necessary. Make sure you clean the surface and allow the floor to dry before applying the sealer.
How to Seal a Marble Floor
All you’ll need is the sealer, and a brush or a clean rag to apply the sealer. Dip the brush or rag in the sealer and apply it to each tile. Make sure you’re applying it thin enough so it dries within a few minutes. Make sure you’re also applying sealer on the grout lines as well.
Let the sealer dry completely after application – a process that usually takes up to four hours – and then apply a second coat. Wait a few hours for the floor to dry before walking on it and don’t resume normal cleaning for a few days after application.
When cared for and properly maintained, marble tile can last for a lifetime. Make sure you’re doing what’s necessary to keep it looking great to maximize the return on investment.