Issue: 02/2002

Tips for marble care

The use of marble as a home decorating material is increasingly prevalent, particularly in bathrooms and kitchens. Marble is colourful elegant, but also vulnerable to scratches, fading stains and damage from chemicals.  As a result, it is important to take periodic steps to protect and maintain the surface.

Easy to clean

Joe Cho, Manager (Marble Care Division) for Bestbuild Engineering & Materials, said marble care can be divided into four general categories: cleaning, protection, refinishing and restoration. Marble should be cleaned with plain water, and acid-based cleaners should be avoided. Alkaline-based detergent is also available from marble companies. Marble flooring should be waxed every three months, and walls need waxing every half year. Yellowing or rust stains can be removed with a special solution, using cotton to cover the surface for two hours, then rinsing clean water.

Regular professional care

Ms Cho said if residents cannot do marble maintenance, they should have a professional marble company polish the surface, clean up stains and apply a crystalline solution to make the surface shine and prevent stains and discolouration.  This should be done every one or two years.

Marble will become porous and damaged from pressure and wear, or through long use.  If this happens, it is necessary to arrange for a marble care company to do restoration work. Crystal treatment can then be applied after restoration to protect the marble.

Maintenance keeps marble durable and beautiful

It is a mistake to think of marble as a very strong material that can be cleaned with any detergent; the wrong detergent can ruin the surface. But regular maintenance and professional care, using the right kind of cleaner and doing regular restoration work, makes marble resistant to dirt, discolouration and stains. The proper care results in a very hard surface that reduces maintenance and maximizes the lifespan of the floor.

It's easy to clean marble, but special detergent should be used to make the surface more durable.