How to Take Care of Marble Tiles

Marble tiles provide a luxurious and elegant effect for the flooring of any room of the home. However, they are most often used in bathrooms and kitchens. It is very expensive to have this type of flooring and therefore you want to keep it looking new for as long as possible. In spite of the high price, these tiles are the preferred choice in flooring because of their durability. They are very strong on the outside, but at the same time, they are very soft on the inside.

You have to be knowledgeable about the things that can cause damage to the tiles. Water is one of these things. If you spill water on the floor, you have to wipe it up immediately. If not, it could cause a stain right in the middle of the tile or several tiles. Juices contain acid and these are hazardous to marble flooring. The acidic solutions will not only cause stains, but could eat through the outer coating. You do have to be careful with juice when you have this flooring on your kitchen and if accidental spills occur, wipe them up right away.

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Furniture scraping across the floor can cause scratches in the tiles. For this reason, you should have protective coverings on the bottoms of chairs and other pieces of furniture. Even walking in from outdoors with sand or gravel on the bottom of your shoes can cause scratches. This is one of the reasons this flooring is not recommended for entryways.

When cleaning your marble floor, always use a soft cloth or mop and a neutral cleaning solution. You should never use cleaners containing acids or vinegar, as they will take the finish off the tiles. To remove stains, you can call in a professional cleaner trained in this type of stain removal.

How to Take Care of Marble Tiles

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Cultured Marble Care

A common bathroom surface material is cultured marble. Cultured marble is actually a surface composed of several materials, including marble dust, limestone and resin. The material is most common for bathroom vanity tops that have built-in sinks, but it can also be used for showers and bathtubs. No matter what surface is made of cultured marble, it is important to use the proper materials and procedures to keep it clean. Given its porous nature and malleable properties, cultured marble is not as resistant to stains and damage as other materials. There are, however, steps you can take to ensure your cultured marble surface lasts for years to come.

When it comes to cleaning cultured marble, keep one thing in mind. Do not use abrasive cleansers. Most cultured marble is sealed, and any cleansers containing abrasives or bleach can break down the seal. Water based cleansers work well for basic cleaning purposes. If you have soap scum or similar buildup on the surface, vinegar can break up the residue without harming the seal or cultured marble itself. If anything spills on the surface, be sure to wipe it up as soon as possible to prevent stains. Unlike other surfaces, cultured marble is susceptible to permanent stains, especially from materials such as hair dye and oil-based products. This is due to the variations in sealants used among cultured marble manufacturers. The safest course of action is to clean all spills right after they happen even if the manufacturer claims the seal will resist stains. Other options for preventing staining include placing a thick cloth over the surface while using products that can stain or using such products in areas that do not have cultured marble.

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To maintain the finish of your cultured marble surface, consider how said surface looked when you first installed it. The main finishes available for cultured marble are satin and glossy. Satin, a low luster finish, requires little in the way of extra maintenance outside of regular cleaning. With glossy finishes, you may want to invest in a polish. Avoid polishes with carnuba wax, as these polishes are designed for less porous materials. Water or silicone based polishes are good options for this tricky surface. Some people may recommend polyurethane if the finish remains dull after polishing. Keep in mind, though, that it is difficult to apply polyurethane if you do not or cannot remove the cultured marble surface from the room. If the sealant spills on other fixtures, it can cause damage and may not be removed. Likewise, if the cultured marble has detail work, applying polyurethane into the crevices can take a long time. This is a project that can work with properly prepared cultured marble but is not recommended for those who are not able to invest a lot of time in the project.

Since cultured marble is more malleable than other kitchen and bathroom surfaces, it is more vulnerable to dings, scratches and similar imperfections. Use caution when holding heavy objects near or above cultured marble. Though it takes an object of great weight to cause noticeable damage, even a shampoo bottle can dent the surface. Such dents can change the overall texture of cultured marble over time. If you spot a dent or scratch on a solid colored surface, you can apply a small amount of appliance or car wax to fill in the gaps. However, if there are multiple flaws or if the surface is a unique color, have a professional rebuff and polish the surface for you. The cost will be higher than doing it yourself, but the finish will be more consistent throughout the surface.

Depending on your budget and ideas for your kitchen or bath, cultured marble can provide you with years of durability. Taking care of this material is different from maintaining stone or laminate. Most of the things you can do to maintain your cultured marble surface require little time on your part if practiced regularly. The key is keeping the seal in tact. Once you adjust your cleaning routine to accommodate this objective, your cultured marble will be around for years to come.

Cultured Marble Care

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