How to Clean Marble Floors So They Shine

Marble floors give any home a streamlined, modern look. 

But if you have them in your own house, you’ve probably noticed one downside: they are porous and can be easily damaged. Because of this, it’s important to know how to clean marble floors the right way.

To keep them nice for years to come, your marble floors need the proper care, the right cleaning products, and attention to detail. This article teaches you how to clean your marble floors like the experts, including regular maintenance as well as how to remove difficult stains or scuffs.

If you need help keeping other areas of your house clean, Homeaglow makes it easy to hire a local, affordable, and reliable cleaner near you.

How to clean marble floors (choosing a cleaning product)

Cleaning marble floors is a little more difficult than cleaning other types of flooring. You can easily damage your marble tile floor if you don't take the necessary precautions.

Before we show you how to clean marble floors, it’s important to understand which cleaning products are safe to use and which ones you should avoid. 

What cleaning products are safe to use on marble floors?

Maintaining marble in excellent condition calls for special maintenance and the use of the right cleaners and cleaning methods. Keep these tips to keep in mind.

Avoid acidic, abrasive, or strong alkaline cleaners

Don’t use these products to clean marble floors:

• Vinegar 
• Hydrogen peroxide 
• Bleach
• Oven cleaners
• All-purpose cleaners: Tilex, Kaboom, CLR, Lysol
• Hard brushes or scouring sponges

As a general rule, avoid acidic cleaners on marble floors since they will etch into the surface and leave dull patches, circles, or spray marks. Also steer clear of strong alkaline cleaners with a high PH, like bleach and oven cleaners. These are corrosive and can etch marble. 

Many all-purpose household cleaners should also be avoided because they can chemically burn the surface of marble tiles. Additionally, hard brushes and scouring sponges can scratch the marble surface. 

Stick to mild cleaners and soft cloths

Safely use these products to clean your marble floors:

• Baking soda
• Ammonia 
• Mild dish soap
• Soft sponges or microfiber towels

Baking soda and ammonia work great for cleaning tough stains on marble. In the next section, we explain how to use either of them to clean marble floors. (Besides marble floors, baking soda and ammonia are also helpful for cleaning baseboards and floor grout.)

Regular maintenance: How to clean marble floors so they shine

Dust and loose debris are the enemies of marble floors. They leave tiny scratches that degrade the polish and let unsightly stains seep through the marble. To keep that from happening, build this regular maintenance into your cleaning routine. 

What you’ll need to clean your marble floors

• Dry mop
• Dishwashing soap
• Warm water

Steps to clean 

Step 1: Sweep with a dry mop

Clean any trapped or loose dust and dirt from the marble floor before applying any cleaning products. Use a dry dust mop or a mop with disposable dry sweeper cloths to remove more dirt and simplify the wet cleaning process.

Step 2: Prepare a cleaning solution

Mix warm water and a few squirts of dishwashing soap in a bucket. This will serve as the cleaning solution for your marble floors. 

Fill a second bucket with clean water for rinsing.

Step 3: Mop and rinse

Dip a microfiber mop into the cleaning solution and wring it dry. Clean a small test area first to be sure it doesn’t affect the surface. If it’s good to go, continue cleaning the rest of the marble floor. 

To rinse, dip a second mop or a sponge into clean water and wring it dry, then use it to clean away any soapy residue. It’s important to thoroughly wring your mop dry, as too much water on the marble floor can lead to dark patches and other discolorations.

Pro tip: If left on the marble floor for too long, the cleaning solution can seep into the marble and cause discoloration. To avoid this, work in small batches when cleaning marble floors, so you can quickly rinse and dry each section. 

Deep clean: How to clean marble floor stains (including grout!)

If the regular maintenance listed above doesn’t clean your marble floor of its toughest stains, take these additional steps. This also works well for cleaning grout between your marble tiles.

What you’ll need for tough stains 

• Ammonia
• Baking soda
• Clean water
• Plastic wrap and tape
• Plastic knife
• A soft cloth or microfiber towel

Steps to clean

Make a paste: Combine 2T ammonia and 2T baking soda with 1 quart water to make a thick paste.

Dampen stained area: Dampen any stained area with distilled water. 

Apply paste: Apply a generous layer of paste onto the stain using a plastic knife.

Cover and let dry: Cover the area with plastic wrap and secure it with tape. Let it dry 24-48 hours.

Remove plastic and paste: Remove plastic wrap and use your plastic knife to scrape off remaining paste.

Rinse and dry: Rinse the marble floor thoroughly with water, then use a soft towel to dry.

How to clean marble floor scuffs

Marble is a relatively fragile substance compared to other natural stones, making it vulnerable to etching and scuffing. When this happens, the dull, scratchy marble looks like it belongs in a construction zone. 

Take these steps to clean marble floor scuffs and get your marble tiles looking new again.

What you’ll need to clean scuffs on marble floors

• A soft, clean cloth
• Mild dish soap
• Clean water
• Spray bottle

Steps to clean

Dampen cloth with solution: Dip a soft cloth into a solution of water and mild dish soap, then wring out the water until the cloth is only damp.

Scrub the stain: Use the dampened cloth to thoroughly scrub the scuff. 

Rinse: Use a second cloth dampened with clean water to wipe away any soapy residue. 

Dry: Dry the marble with a third, dry cloth.

Buff: Buff gently in a circular motion using a soft, dry cloth. 

Give cleaning your marble tile a shot

Cleaning marble floors doesn’t have to be a daunting task. It requires a little extra effort, but with the right cleaning supplies, you can keep your marble tiles looking as good as new. 

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