Marble is a natural stone that is becoming more and more of a popular choice. It provides an impression of glamour and luxury. This type of stone can be used for flooring, splashbacks, tables, benchtops and even walls. It is the perfect choice for kitchens and bathrooms.
Marble is a great long-term investment, although it is expensive, which is why it’s important to ensure you take care of your marble properly from the beginning. It will extend the life of your stone.
What is Marble made of?
Marble is a rock composed from the metamorphism of limestone or dolomite rocks under the influences of heat and pressure. This results in the forming of mosaics and crystals within the rock, which forms beautiful forms. Marble pieces will vary from piece to piece; some may contain materials such as quartz, pyrite, clay minerals or graphite. It will also be found in different colours, anything from white to pink, green or even gold.
Marble is sensitive, making it a porous material which means that it will be more susceptible to staining and scratching. It’s important to remember this when cleaning your marble; you must ensure that you choose a cleaning agent that will protect your marble, not damage it.
Do’s and Don’ts of Marble
– Regular Cleaning
Ensure you are cleaning your marble regularly with water and soap. Use a soft cloth with a mixture of warm water and dishwasher liquid/soap. Use a sponge afterwards or a dry cloth to dry your surface.
– Marble Cleaner
A professional marble cleaner is something that you should invest in. It’s important to use a quality product that is specifically created to clean marble. Marble is vulnerable to acids and alkalis, so ensuring your product is marble safe is a must.
– Clean Spills
Clean spills as soon as they occur. Acid can be found in many foods and drinks that can cause damage to your marble. Any form of acid can be very destructive.
– Use Chopping Boards
If you have marble benchtops, it will be near impossible to completely prevent scratches, but you can do things, such as using chopping boards that will try and minimise the scratches from occurring. Using a chopping board will lower the risk. It is also important to use heat pads under anything hot, such as pots and pans. Otherwise, the damage will occur to your marble.
– The use of trays
If you’re using marble in bathrooms, use trays underneath any bathroom or personal products. It will prevent chemicals from coming into direct contact with the marble.
– Don’t use all-purpose cleaners
Marble is a soft stone, which means it can be easily stained. All-purpose cleaners contain acidity that can cause damage to your stone. The same applies to using vinegar, which can be a staple cleaning product in many houses.
– Sponges
You want to be selective with the type of sponge you use on your marble; the use of stainless-steel sponges will do serious damage to your marble surface.
– Leaving your marble wet
Marble is a soft stone, making it extremely porous, which means that it will absorb liquid quickly. If left wet for too long, it can cause water stains on marble.
How to Remove Stains from Marble
Accidents happen, no matter how careful you are. If you find a stain that hasn’t been removed promptly, the first thing you should try and do is remove it with water. Spray the spot with water and leave it for a few seconds to try and soften the stain. Use a dry cloth to try and remove the stain.
If the stain doesn’t budge with the use of water, consider using some baking soda. Make a paste by mixing baking soda with a few drops of water. Apply this over the stain but don’t press too hard; it’s important you take care using this as baking soda can be abrasive if used incorrectly.
Allow the baking soda to sit for a few hours, and then gently wipe with a damp cloth. If the entire stain hasn’t been removed, repeat the process.
Types of Marble
There are many different types of marble available; some are best used for outdoor use as they are stronger and weather resistant.
It’s important to speak to your builder or a qualified stonemason to choose the best stone for the use that you require.
Sealing marble is also important. It will assist in the overall maintenance of your stone. It’s worth paying extra for during the installation process but can be done afterwards if you are living in a home that already has marble. It will assist in preventing stains from absorbing. Sealing your marble is different to polishing; polishing is purely to give your marble a shiny look and won’t do anything to prevent stains.
With all our ‘How to Blogs’, we recommend that you use this as a guide only and do further research by visiting the HIA website. The HIA Website provides expert knowledge in all areas of building and home renovation.