Marble floors and countertops are very popular because of the stone’s beauty, depth, and exotic natural patterns. You may want to think twice about installing marble floors and countertops, though. Marble presents a special set of challenges for those that want to keep it looking new for as long as possible.

Marble is a porous stone, which means that dirt can settle into minute openings and liquids can seep into it and cause staining. It is very important to keep marble surfaces clean, mainly because it is so easy to scratch and etch. Etching is a type of corrosion that can happen when marble comes into contact with an acidic substance. Believe it or not, something as seemingly harmless as citrus fruit can etch a marble floor or countertop. It you do happen to spill citrus juice or other acid based substance on marble you need to quickly blot it up with a soft cloth dampened with diluted hydrogen peroxide. You can fix some minor scratches with a special polishing compound but preventing them is much better.

Since marble is porous it can be discolored by food, flower pots, metal furniture legs, ink, and even water. Cooking oil and other greasy products can stain it; if you spill these on a marble surface you must clean it quickly with soap and water.

Ordinary water can’t safely be used on marble since it contains minerals and other impurities that can stain it. Whenever you are mopping or cleaning a marble surface you should always use distilled, pure water. Luckily, it is inexpensive and you can find it at nearly any grocery store.

You should always use pH neutral detergent to wash the floor. Simple Green is a great cleanser that is relatively inexpensive and harmless to marble. Use a microfiber mop head like that on the WizMop to clean the floor. After you clean it you have to go over the entire surface once again with clean distilled water. Never let a marble surface air dry or use fans to dry it or it may become discolored from the cleaning/rinsing process. Dry the surface with a soft towel.

Never use vinegar, ammonia, citrus cleaners or any product that is intended for ceramic floors on your marble surfaces. If you need to get rid of scuff marks, use a felt pad dampened with distilled water and a pH neutral detergent like Simple Green. Never rub in a circular pattern or you might damage the marble.

You should always keep a marble floor well swept with a soft broom or a microfiber dust mop. It is not safe to vacuum marble because even the wheels and plastic nozzle of a vacuum can scratch it.

As you can see, marble is pretty high maintenance and demands a lot of care in order to stay beautiful. The microfiber mop head of the WizMop is safe to use on marble floors if you decide that’s the type of floor you’d like to have. If you don’t have a lot of time to spend on a floor you may want to consider some options that are just as lovely but not as high maintenance. Whatever type of floor you decide to have, WizMop can keep it as clean and beautiful as the day it was installed.