How to Clean Marble Floors -- powered by eHow.com
People who have marble floors may well think that since they're made of stone, they won't need very much in the way of maintenance to keep them in tiptop shape. That's only partly true. Even though marble floors are made of far sturdier basic materials than hardwood or wood laminate floors, they still do need some upkeep to keep them looking great.
Firstly, here's a DON'T. DON'T use vinegar or a vinegar-based cleaning solution for cleaning marble floors! Marble is a sort of rock that, even though it is a quite sturdy building material, can easily be damaged by acidic substances - and vinegar is of course a kind of acid that, even though it's on the weaker side, can still do some damage to marble. So you'll want to stay away from using it on your marble floors.
Secondly, here's another DON'T. DON'T use soaps or detergents on your marble floors, even the mildest, least harsh sort. They could also result in damaged floors - the surface could pit or even crack, and you might very well have to replace your flooring as a result!
Thirdly, a DO. DO sweep up or vacuum up any sand or solid dirt that's on your marble floors. People or pets that step on this dirt can drag it all around the floor, and it can end up scratching or causing grooves to form on the surface. These scratches or grooves may be barely visible, but if left untreated, they can lead to your floor cracking or fissuring if water gets in or something impacts it hard.
And another DO. Two recommended fluids that you can use to clean marble floors are commercially available marble cleaners and - surprise - water itself. DO use either or both of these to clean your marble floors. You can try using water and a clean rag or mop first, and then if the floor doesn't end up as clean as you like, you can try using the cleaner. Keep in mind though that it's not advisable to air-dry the floor if it's marble for safety reasons, and because that water can begin to make its way into the pore spaces of the rock and end up damaging it if left for too long. Dry the cleaned area with another rag or towel after you're done cleaning it up.
Next, DO try to hunt down a good sealant and a polisher when you look for a marble cleanser. The sealant will be very useful, as it will prevent dirt, dust, liquids and other such contaminants from penetrating through to the marble in the first place. And the polisher will help ensure that your tiles look brand spanking new.
Lastly, if you are not satisfied with how your marble floors look after you've had at them with all these treatments, you can always ask specialists in cleaning marble floor to clean them and fix them up for you. Or you can look for a third party and have them help you with the floors. Professionals always know best.
Sabrina Rocca
Author: "The Ultimate House Cleaning Checklist Book"
For more FREE cleaning tips and a FREE speed-cleaning course, visit http://www.housecleaningchecklist.ca.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sabrina_Rocca
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