13 - HULL AND FURNITURE MAINTENANCE397
13.6 MARBLE MAINTENANCE
THE WORST ENEMIES OF MARBLE ARE:
Some substances damage marble more than others.
Keeping them away from surfaces, or at least removing them promptly as
soon as they come into contact with the marble is very important if you want
to preserve its appearance.
The worst enemies of marble surfaces are:
1. Water: a enemy of marble, especially that with a high presence of
limestone. If it settles on marble surfaces and is not dried, it can ruin
them in the long run.
2. Coffee, wine and dyes: as dark substances, coffee, wine and other
food dyes can damage marble when they come into contact with it.
3. Tomato sauce: tomato sauce, when it stains, is very difcult to re-
move, and the same applies to marble.
4. Polishing wax: marble should be polished from time to time, but nev-
er apply too much wax to avoid risking obtaining the opposite effect,
i.e. making it dull.
5. Sugary substances: fruit, juices and sweet substances, if deposited
on marble, can corrode it, ruining its natural lustre. If they accidentally
fall on the marble, they need to be cleaned quickly.
HOW TO CLEAN MARBLE:
1. Damp cloth: If the stain to be removed is not particularly stubborn,
a damp cloth can be used to clean marble surfaces and achieve an
excellent effect.
It is important to always remember to dry the surface, otherwise, lime-
scale will damage it.
2. Marseille soap: Marseille soap is also perfect for cleaning marble sur-
faces. Lightly dampen a cloth and rub it lightly on the soap, then wipe
the marble. After rinsing, carefully dry the surface, which will look as
good as new.
3. Hydrogen peroxide: Hydrogen peroxide is another product that can
have innite uses, including cleaning marble.
Put a drop of hydrogen peroxide on a damp cloth and rub it on the
marble surface to quickly restore its shine.
4. Baking soda: Baking soda is another useful substance for cleaning
marble.
Put a tablespoon of baking soda in a glass or container and mix. The
resulting compound is a slightly abrasive paste that will penetrate the
marble, freeing it from foreign substances, the stains.
Baking soda is also perfect for polishing, so the marble will look shinier
after the treatment.
5. Detergents for marble: On the market, you can nd numerous spe-
cial detergents for cleaning marble surfaces.
They are very useful for those who have large marble surfaces to
wash, such as oors.
Make sure that the detergent is not too acidic and aggressive, or the
surface will be weakened over time and more susceptible to stains.
HOW NOT TO CLEAN MARBLE:
CAUTION
Do not use generic household cleaners of any kind.
Cleaning marble with products purchased in non-specialised shops that
contain acids, alkalis and other chemicals can mark or damage the surface,
leaving the stone more vulnerable to staining.
The most common and popular household cleaners are too aggressive for
use on marble and can cause damage.
Trying to save time by using low-end products such as general surface
cleaners will only lead to expensive repairs or marble restoration.
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