Beautiful marble floors have graced palaces and distinguished buildings around the world for centuries. Their legendary reputation for exuding opulence and elegance remains but they do need regular maintenance to keep them looking at their best.
If you love these incredible natural stone floors as much as I do, I’m sharing my top tips below so you can keep your marble floors looking amazing for years to come.
What is marble?
Have you ever wondered where marble comes from? Marble is a natural stone, quarried & cut into slabs and tiles and is used for flooring, kitchen countertops and wall tiles for bathrooms. You might think it’s similar to granite but granite is hewn from igneous rock that comes from volcanic magma, not the layered sedimentary rock that we call marble.
Granite, typically, has a pebbly or spotted pattern, whereas marble has a wavy veined pattern running throughout. Because of its nature and how it’s formed, each piece of marble is quite different from another – the vast array of the veins and the colour of the marble make it truly unique.
Pros Cons
Elegant, luxurious look Porous stone that requires sealing
Natural material It can be susceptible to stains and marks
Easily polished Expensive
Suitable for underfloor heating Slippery
Adds value to your home Cold underfoot
Where does marble come from?
Today, you’ll find that marble is mainly quarried in four main locations around the world: Italy, China, India and Spain. Each quarry often has its own very distinct type of marble.
The marble stone itself is made up of calcite crystals & coloured grains of mica inclusions, which lock together rather like jigsaw pieces. The characteristic swirls and meandering lines, known as veins, are usually due to various mineral impurities such as clay, silt, sand or iron oxides which were originally present as grains or layers in the limestone. The crystalised minerals are often deposited by water, which then evaporates and leaves the mineral traces behind.
The mineral deposits that can be left in marble can be a variety of different colours: from blacks, greys and reds to greens and even purples. Calcutta marble is prized for its thick, dark veins, whereas Carrara marble is much paler and has lighter, more delicate veining. As it’s produced entirely organically, each piece of marble has a character all its own.
As marble is a porous stone, it can be more susceptible to damage than ceramic tiles and other types of natural stone. However, if cared for properly, it can add to a stunning look in your home and last for decades.
Follow my simple tips to care for your marble floor:
- Dust frequently
- Use a gentle floor cleaner for everyday spills. I use my own Rutland Cleaning Company solutions which you can buy directly from me.
- If there are any water spills, mop them up as soon as you possibly can and dry the area thoroughly.
- Use non-slip rugs and mats to protect specific areas, such as entrance and exit points.
- Avoid letting acids near your marble floor. For example: lemon juice, fruit juice, wines, tomato and fizzy drinks.
You can book an annual maintenance visit with me to ensure that your marble floors remain looking spectacular. From a deep clean to a restoration, mirror finish polish and seal, it’s easy to book an appoinment.
Do you need advice about when and how to clean your marble floors? Get in touch with me today and book your next cleaning appointment ahead of time. Call me on 01572 503123
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