Cleaning marble is a delicate task, and one which should undertaken with care. Marble is a relatively soft stone which has inherited a lot of it’s porous nature from limestone. It not only absorbs liquids but can also be damaged by acidic and alkaline products including cleaners. If you use the wrong product to clean your marble, you can actually cause more harm than good.
Any cleaners which have a pH lower than 7 are classified as acidic. Of course the lower the pH, the more likely it is that the cleaner will cause damage. However, it’s not just very strong acids that can damage marble, in fact even fruit juices containing citric acid with a pH of around 4 can cause big problems.
Those with a pH higher than 7 are classified as alkaline or basic. Highly alkaline cleaners, such as bleaches can damage marble surfaces too.
Some surface cleaners contain abrasive particulates such as sodium carbonate. Because marble is relatively soft, this can result in superficial scratches and damage to your marble that detracts from the look of the overall surface and can most definitely be seen in the right (or wrong) light.
Always remember to clean up spills immediately, as marble, especially unsealed marble will absorb these rapidly into it’s structure resulting in staining. You should also use coasters for drinks. If wiping down use a slightly damp cloth that has been soaked in a gentle solution of dilute pH neutral washing up liquid and water. You should dry the surface straight away after wiping over it. If your marble is not sealed, you should most definitely have it sealed to prevent problems from occurring.
For a more thorough marble cleaning service, etching removal, polishing and sealing, contact the experts in marble cleaning Sydney on 0426 76 76 76.
