How to clean marble surfaces and keep them perfectly shiny

Has the shiny marble in your home lost some of its luster over time? To solve this issue, there is a way to clean the marble and restore its shine, knowing that the housewife should be sufficiently familiar with the material and how to clean it, whether it is related to daily cleaning tasks, stain removal, or polishing. In the following lines, a set of materials and step-by-step methods on how to care for the white marble that covers floors and surfaces.

Marble care

Table with marble top

The first step in restoring your marble’s shine is to clean it regularly and quickly remove any spills or stains. To wash marble surfaces, add a few drops of mild, non-abrasive dishwashing liquid to a soft, damp cloth. Distilled white vinegar is not suitable for marble, nor is bleach or any other strong detergent.

As part of the cleaning method, polished marble should not be scrubbed, as doing so can scratch the polish, leaving dull stains.

In the final stage, use a clean, damp cloth, wipe the cleaner off the marble, and then run a dry microfiber cloth over it.

Marble Stain Removal

If your marble surfaces are stained, you can do the following before cleaning: Make a dressing by slowly mixing a tablespoon of ammonia, half a cup of hydrogen peroxide, and enough baking soda to make a thick, creamy consistency. The dressing should then be spread over any stained areas using a clean paintbrush. Cover the dressing with plastic wrap, sealing the edges. Wait 12 to 24 hours, then remove the plastic wrap.

After drying, scrape off the crumbly dressing with a razor blade, without digging into the marble surface, and clean any residue from the dressing with a damp cloth. Wipe the marble dry.

Marble polishing

Sprinkle a small amount of marble polishing powder on the surface, polishing gently, using a cloth cloth, dampened according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and a clean, damp cloth to remove powder residue. Wipe the marble dry and observe the restored shine.

Removing rust from marble

You can make your own rust remover to clean marble stains by mixing equal amounts of baking soda and rust remover until a thick paste forms. Spread the latter over the rusty stains, covering them completely, and wait for it to dry overnight. The next day, use a putty knife or a clean towel to break up the paste.

Tips for caring for marble surfaces

1. Wipe the stains, as soon as you see them, with clean water and a towel, then dry the marble with a paper towel.
2. Use cup and tray bases for any items you place on marble surfaces, rather than placing the cups directly on a marble surface or table.
3. If you have a decorative display of personal care products in a marble bathroom, use a tray to protect the surface. Using cup bases prevents circular stains from forming on the marble.
4. Place cookware on hot pads rather than on marble surfaces, as hot pans can burn the marble surface, leaving stains or damage, rather than directly on the stone.
5. It should be noted that some marble manufacturers do not recommend using steel wool because it is abrasive and can affect the surface of the marble. Therefore, try testing the steel wool in a hidden area of the marble before using it on any scratch.

Cleaners that won’t harm marble surfaces

• Baking soda: Add 3 tablespoons of baking soda powder to a quart of water, use a towel to spread the mixture on the marble surface, and let it soak for a few hours before wiping with a cloth towel dampened with water.
• White chalk: Grind the white chalk, then spread the resulting powder on the marble surface, using a towel, and wipe in a circular manner, noting that this method requires the use of a lot of white chalk. Then, wipe the surface with a dry towel.
• A mixture of ammonia and hydrogen peroxide: After wearing a pair of gloves to protect the skin of the hands from burns, add appropriate and equal amounts of the two ingredients, while wetting absorbent kitchen towels with the mixture. Try this method to eliminate old or stubborn stains on marble surfaces, especially when conventional methods have failed to remove the stains.