How To Clean And Maintain Marble And Granite Surfaces

Currently, marble and granite accents are popularly used to add aesthetic and functionality to people's homes, but most people consider them very difficult to keep clean due to their porous surfaces. Water as a pure substance can leave stains if you don't wipe it up fast enough, but knowing the appropriate processes to clean these accents will ensure they aren't too difficult to clean than any other material. Below are cleaning tips and tricks that will help you. 

Clean Spills Right Away

As we earlier said, granite and marble get stained easily and rapidly, even when water is used. Ensure you clean up any spills immediately to avoid stains. Yes, this implies even if when you're very tired or trying to juggle dinner. It takes just a duration of extra 30 seconds to clean up a spill so that the beauty of your accent remains. Ensure you use a blotting motion while cleaning with a cloth and not wiping or rubbing one, just like you do when you clean your floor cover such as carpet. The stain tends to look worse and spreads if you are rubbing the spot.

Stick to the Basics

The cleaning process is simple when your marble surfaces or countertops aren't too messy. After cooking dinner, all you need to do is wipe down the counters or just touch up the floor a little bit, and when it comes to the cleaning materials that you use, these are considered more comfortable if only you could stick to the basics. By creating a cleaner to use, thus cleaning can be done comfortably. First, some supplies you'll need are as follows:

• Warm water

• Dish liquid

• Spray bottle

• Cleaning cloth

• Soft towel

Get Acquainted With Baking Soda

The use of only dish soap and water is not advisable if you want to clean your surfaces or countertops thoroughly. To ensure your marble cleaning efficiently makes your countertops or surfaces shine, creating and using a baking soda poultice is ideal. You'll need:

• Baking Soda

• Water

• Spoon

• Bowl

• Plastic Wrap

If you are interested in other ways you can use baking soda for house cleaning check out our article on 7 creative uses of baking soda for cleaning.

Use Flour and Dish Soap

You can mix flour and dish soap for your marble/granite cleaning instead if baking soda isn't available at home. You will need one cup of flour and three tablespoons of dish liquid, for this cleaning method. Ensure your soap doesn't contain bleach, lemon juice or any other acidic substance.

Use a Sealant

The tips mentioned above will enable you to clean your stained marble or granite counters and surfaces once they are stained already. Nevertheless, you can try to prevent stains from occurring in the first place by making use of proactive methods.

Using sealant for your marble or granite cleaning is the easiest way to prevent stains. A proper sealant is available and are sold out at your local store outlet or market, and be sure to ask a sales associate if you need help. It's better to ask questions rather than to end up purchasing a product that will potentially damage your counters or surfaces.

Keep it in mind that periodically which is from time to time you would need to touch up your marble or granite, even if you've sealed them before. It's time for a touch-up is determined by pouring a few drops of water on the counter. If after a few seconds, the water doesn't form into beads, this means your sealant has faded but it does, this means it's still okay. To prevent stains touch it up as soon as possible.

Always Test a Spot First

You need to test run first, before applying any sealant or treatment to your granite or marble accents. You'll need to apply the treatment directly to an inconspicuous area which you might have discovered, and it could be behind a small appliance or under a piece of furniture. You can proceed with treating the whole area if there is no discoloration or etching after the allotted waiting duration.

Disinfect With Isopropyl Alcohol

Disinfection while cleaning shouldn't be a problem once your granite or marble is sealed. However, avoid using anything too harsh, if you like disinfecting or if the seal hasn't been updated in a while. Probably, mix 91 percent isopropyl alcohol with an equal portion of water. Spray on the surface and leave it for about 4-5 minutes, then wipe it off and clean with a dry cloth.

Use Coasters and Plates

Be sure to use coasters, cutting boards, and other dishes as it is necessary when chopping food for cooking or setting drinks on the counter. This is true mainly if your drink or food item is acidic, which may include limes or lemon. Stop what you're doing and clean the area quickly to avoid any etching or staining, if you do forget a coaster or chop a tomato on the marble counter.

Hire a Marble Care Professional

You can hire a professional for your granite or marble cleaning if you have already tried all of the above and still not satisfied with the outcomes. Stone care experts are precisely the best when it comes to getting dirt or stains that fall into any etching and stay out of reach.

Though granite and marble are quite known to be hard to clean, your counters, floors, showers and any other marble or granite in your home will look polished and will retain its beauty for years, if you use the provided tips above.