Marble is one of the most beautiful natural stones available. This is why countless homeowners are opting to include marble features in their indoor decorating plans. If you currently own marble floor tiles or plan on having them installed, there are a few, important things that you should know about maintaining them. Following are five simple tips to keep in mind when caring for these fabulous home additions.
Dragging abrasive materials across the surface of these tiles is the surest way to diminish their overall appearance. Small particulates with rough or sharp edges can easily dig noticeable grooves and scratches into this type of flooring. This is why it is generally best to avoid sweeping any entry ways or other areas that have this materials.
Rather than using a broom to drag potentially abrasive materials across this surface, use a small, hand-held vacuum instead. This way, sharp items can be quickly suctioned up before they have the chance to cause damage. Keep in mind, however, that you do not want to lug a heavy and cumbersome vacuum onto this surface either. Heavy, falling attachments and sharp, moving parts can cause floor damages as well.
You might be tempted to mop this surface much like you would any other type of flooring in your home. This, however, is not like linoleum or other types of glazed tile. Natural stone is very absorbent and thus, it will readily absorb any water that you put on it. This can eventually lead to significant and long-lasting changes in color as well as other signs of moisture damage.
Only a special marble cleaning solution should be used on these surfaces. You can ask your installer for product recommendations or you can get advice on topical cleansing agents by speaking with the professionals at a local flooring or home and hardware store. Products that are specially designed for this purpose will leave your flooring looking its very best and without diminishing its overall condition.
Having these surfaces properly stained is always important for preserving their good looks and all-around integrity. This is something that your installer should do when putting the tiling in. Once this initial seal has been applied, you will have to be diligent about having it renewed or about renewing it yourself as time demands. There are certain cleansers that will replenish or reapply the seal in modest increments each time you use them. These are great for people who might otherwise overlook this essential flooring maintenance.
One of the best ways to protect floors like these is by using mats in high-traffic areas. If you have this type of tile at your entryway, make sure to put an absorbent mat down right away. This way, abrasive materials and moisture will never get the chance to cause problems like discoloration, scratches or gouges. When you get ready to clean these areas, you can simply shake your mats outside and can make sure that they are suitably clean and dry before putting them back down.
Always avoid letting highly acidic solutions get near your floors when this type of natural stone has been used. These include things like lemon juice or general household cleaners. Acids of any type can cause problems with etching. With mats down in high-traffic spaces and a commitment to only using cleaners that are approved for these surfaces, you can prevent etching and other issues relating to acid exposure.
Dragging abrasive materials across the surface of these tiles is the surest way to diminish their overall appearance. Small particulates with rough or sharp edges can easily dig noticeable grooves and scratches into this type of flooring. This is why it is generally best to avoid sweeping any entry ways or other areas that have this materials.
Rather than using a broom to drag potentially abrasive materials across this surface, use a small, hand-held vacuum instead. This way, sharp items can be quickly suctioned up before they have the chance to cause damage. Keep in mind, however, that you do not want to lug a heavy and cumbersome vacuum onto this surface either. Heavy, falling attachments and sharp, moving parts can cause floor damages as well.
You might be tempted to mop this surface much like you would any other type of flooring in your home. This, however, is not like linoleum or other types of glazed tile. Natural stone is very absorbent and thus, it will readily absorb any water that you put on it. This can eventually lead to significant and long-lasting changes in color as well as other signs of moisture damage.
Only a special marble cleaning solution should be used on these surfaces. You can ask your installer for product recommendations or you can get advice on topical cleansing agents by speaking with the professionals at a local flooring or home and hardware store. Products that are specially designed for this purpose will leave your flooring looking its very best and without diminishing its overall condition.
Having these surfaces properly stained is always important for preserving their good looks and all-around integrity. This is something that your installer should do when putting the tiling in. Once this initial seal has been applied, you will have to be diligent about having it renewed or about renewing it yourself as time demands. There are certain cleansers that will replenish or reapply the seal in modest increments each time you use them. These are great for people who might otherwise overlook this essential flooring maintenance.
One of the best ways to protect floors like these is by using mats in high-traffic areas. If you have this type of tile at your entryway, make sure to put an absorbent mat down right away. This way, abrasive materials and moisture will never get the chance to cause problems like discoloration, scratches or gouges. When you get ready to clean these areas, you can simply shake your mats outside and can make sure that they are suitably clean and dry before putting them back down.
Always avoid letting highly acidic solutions get near your floors when this type of natural stone has been used. These include things like lemon juice or general household cleaners. Acids of any type can cause problems with etching. With mats down in high-traffic spaces and a commitment to only using cleaners that are approved for these surfaces, you can prevent etching and other issues relating to acid exposure.
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