You could have a classic black-and-white checkerboard pattern marble in your living space or sleek hex tiles in your bathroom; marble is a versatile flooring choice.
Marble, however, is a delicate and porous stone that is susceptible to stains—and can only be cleaned with specific cleaning agents. Cleaning marble floors requires three major steps, dry mopping, wet mopping with a cleaning solution, then rinsing.
This is a guide on how to clean white marble floors; depending on which area the flooring is, you may need to know how to disinfect marble floors as well so you can give your floors a thorough cleaning.
Read: How to mop tile floors without streaks
How to Clean White Marble Floors
Table of Contents
Depending on the area the flooring is installed, you may need to clean the floor at least monthly or more often if the floor is in high-traffic areas. Here’s a step by step process you can follow to disinfect marble floors
1. Dry Mop First
With a dust mop, clean and trap loose dust and debris. Do not skip this step to avoid pushing around excess dirt with your damp mop.
2. Mix a Cleaning Solution
Combine warm water and mild, neutral pH soap in a bucket or sink to create a cleaning solution. Refer to the product label to see the correct ratio of water to mix with the cleaning agent.
There are cleaning products specially formulated for marble, or you can dilute a few drops of dishwashing soap in a gallon of water. You also need a second bucket or sink filled with clean water, which will be used for rinsing the floor.
3. Mop and Rinse
Saturate a soft, cotton or microfiber mop in the cleaning solution and wring out excess water. You do not want to flood your floor with too much water as you clean. Work in small sections at a time, and rinse the mop frequently to remove accumulated dirt.
When the entire area has been covered, dip the mop in clean water and rinse the freshly mopped floor, removing any soapy residue left behind. This is very crucial as it prevents the marble from yellowing and looking dull.
Read: How durable is marble flooring?
How to Remove Tough Stains from Marble Floor
If the cleaning solution could not get out stains from the floor, try these methods:
Scuffs:
If there are scuff marks on your marble floor, gently rub the area with a dry tennis ball.
Ink Stains:
Place a soft cloth or paper towel saturated with rubbing alcohol over the stains and leave it for a few minutes before blotting the ink up. Repeat the process until the ink is completely lifted, and rinse the area well with plain water and buff dry.
Organic Stains:
For organic stains, place a soft cloth or paper towel saturated with 12 percent hydrogen peroxide for about 10 minutes.
Check to see if the stain is gone before rinsing the area well with plain water and buff dry. If the stain persists, repeat the steps and leave the hydrogen peroxide to sit on the stain for up to 30 minutes.
Oily Stains:
If oil spills on your marble floor, begin by blotting up as much of the oil as possible before using a mixture of warm water and a few drops of dishwashing liquid to wipe the area.
If the oil has been sitting on the floor for a while and has left a persistent stain, sprinkle a thick layer of cornstarch on the oily area and allow the cornstarch to sit in place for at least four hours to draw the oil out of the marble. Repeat the steps until the stain is completely lifted.
Water Spots:
If there are water spots on your marble floor, lightly dampen the floor with plain water before using several soft microfiber cloths to dry and buff the floor in large, circular motions.
Read: How to remove stains from marble floor tiles
How to Clean Marble Floor With Baking Soda
Marble is a soft stone flooring made of calcium carbonate. It is prone to stains, dullness, and scratches. Proper care must be taken to avoid scratching the floor; it should not be exposed to acids like vinegar or strong alkaline agents like ammonia and detergents.
Due to the alkalinity of baking soda, it should be used with caution. Baking soda is also a mild abrasive, so it should be used gently rather than vigorously buffed into the floor.
Baking soda can be used to clean marble floors but should not be used every day. Frequent use of baking soda could dull your marble countertop.
Remember to also promptly wipe off the baking soda when you are done cleaning; baking soda solution should not be in contact with your marble for more than a few seconds.
Cleaning marble floors with baking soda requires just two steps mentioned below.
Sprinkle some baking soda onto the marble surface and gently buff it into the marble using a soft, damp cloth. Do not scrub it in too hard to avoid damaging the surface.
Next, rinse the floor with water and dry it with a soft towel. Rinsing the floor with water is very vital as it helps to neutralize the pH and remove the baking soda thoroughly, so the solution does not remain in contact with the marble surface for any longer than needed.
Read: How to clean floor tiles naturally
Conclusion
This article discusses ways to clean white marble floors and get them clean and sparkly. You need to be wary of the products you use on your floor to avoid accidentally damaging your floor. Starting with dry mopping your marble floor, then wet mopping and rinsing, you should have a shiny marble floor.