6 Unnecessary Practices That You Must Avoid When Doing Marble Polishing

**Collaborative post**

Before tackling the different unnecessary practices that we usually do in polishing our marble tiles and how to resolve them, let us first know what marble is. Marble is a unique natural stone that is well-known for its construction applications. Polishing marble floors is one of the most important issues. Because of its aesthetic appeal and excellent durability, marble floor polishing in Singapore is quite in demand and quite popular in the construction industry. Marble stone has a wide range of applications, including flooring, bars, home furniture, countertops, tables, showers, fireplaces, and kitchen backsplashes, all of which contribute to its popularity.

Marble is a hard stone that can instantly add a touch of modern luxury and class to any structure. It is a natural stone that is not only easy to care for but also has the ability to last for a long time without losing its stunning appearance. However, we use practices that can harm the marble tiles. With this, we must know the unnecessary practices that we should avoid when we do marble tile cleaning. 

1. When Moping

• Don’t: When wiping spills or stains from marble tiles, avoid using a completely soaked mop because water can leak from the cloth and get stagnant between the spongy floors of the marble.
• Do’s: Rather than a completely soaked mop, use a waterlogged one to wipe down the marble flooring. Also, deionized water is less destructive to the surface of the marble stone. Because marble’s permeability makes it vulnerable to liquids such as coffee, wine, or juice. Therefore, it is critical to clean up spills as soon as possible to avoid permanent staining. 

2. When Dry Cleaning

• Don’t: Marble is a highly permeable stone that absorbs liquids and solvents because of its crumbly structure. It is best to avoid using cloth, mops, or sponges that have been dipped in waxy, oily, or wet substances because there is a good chance that solvent residue will absorb into the stone’s permeable structure, causing permanent staining or discolouration.
• Do’s: If something is spilt on your marble flooring, clean it as soon as possible with a dry mop, cloth, or sponge. Using a dry cloth will not only help to soak up the spill and prevent long-term damage, but it will also remove any moist residue that could potentially sink into the stone’s pores.

3. When Using Solvents

• Don’t: Store-bought cleaning products contain acids, alkalis, and chemicals that can harm the permeable structure of marble. The lack of alkalinity in common store cleaners makes marble more susceptible to discolouration and reduces the marble stone tiles’ endurance.
• Do’s: As your go-to marble cleaning solvents, use distilled or deionized water, neutral stone soap or cleaners with a pH of 7.00, white spirit, and 2% non-ionic detergent. These will not only prevent scratching and staining but will also keep your marble flooring in top shape and extend the life of your marble.

4. Doing Home-Made Remedies

• Don’t: The use of grocery products such as vinegar, milk, lemon, or ammonia for cleaning marble surfaces is strongly discouraged because they are highly acidic or alkaline and can completely destroy the marble tile’s surface.
• Do’s: Instead of opting for DIY solutions, use proper cleaning products designed specifically for cleaning marble floors. Unlike the former, DIY techniques provide no guarantees, increasing the risk of damage. It is also much more difficult to repair permanently damaged marble stone flooring than it is to clean it.

5. The Usage of Water

• Don’t: If you only use water to clean the marble stone, it will become dull and unappealing over time, and it will also affect the marble’s longevity.
• Do’s: When cleaning your marble floors, use non-acidic, alkaline, or preferably neutral solvents, and remember to alternate between your preferred solvents every now and then to keep your marble floors looking as radiant as possible.

6. When Sealing Your Marble Floor

• Don’t: If you leave your marble flooring unfixed after installation, it will be much more susceptible to damage and blemishes than if it is sealed.
• Do’s: Sealing your marble flooring is highly recommended because it increases not only the durability of the stone but also reduces the damage or staining caused by spills. Periodically sealing your marble with a high-quality sealant will keep your floors in pristine condition and extend the life of your marble. To preserve the appearance of your marble, you may need to reseal it every three to six years, depending on the type of marble stone installed and the type of sealant used. It’s best not to go overboard with the packing.