Best and Safest Marble Cleaning Products

Marble is beautiful but does require special care and the proper marble cleaner to keep it in pristine condition.

Thus, cleaning marble gives people a lot of anxiety. Those that don't know anything about marble usually damage it right away by using the wrong cleaner.

Below we'll give you key tips for safely and effectively cleaning marble along with our best marble cleaner recommendations for various situations and locations.

Marble Cleaner Tips to Avoid Damage

You can click the link and learn all about how to clean marble properly, but here are the key points to remember...

• Do not use common cleaners like bleach, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, and ammonia since these will etch marble (travertine and limestone too) leaving dull spots, rings, or spray marks.
  
  Etching is a chemical burn to the marble surface which requires re-polishing.

Related Help:
Repairing Bleach Damaged Marble
Removing Vinegar Stains on Marble


• Avoid acidic & citrus cleaners. Acidic cleaners with a low pH like vinegar (pH 3), hydrogen peroxide (pH 4), or citrus (lemon-orange pH 2-4) etch marble.
  
  Alkaline marble cleaners are okay up to a point. Any cleaner with pH above 10 etches marble which is why bleach (pH 12) and ammonia (pH 11) are not for cleaning marble.


• Also bad are nearly all name-brand cleaners like Windex, 409, Tilex, Lime Away, Kaboom, CLR, and Lysol.
  
  Repairing Lysol Cleaner Damage on Marble
  

  
  

  
  Nearly all household cleaners are too harsh (too acidic or alkaline) for cleaning marble and etch the surface. Learn about the pH of cleaners.


• Unfortunately, some cleaners labeled "for marble" are very poor performers, don't clean up oil or food spills well, leave streaks, and overall take more effort for crummy results. Most tend to be generic cleaners with a "marble" label sold at various stores but even at Home Depot, Lowes, or Amazon.


• Avoid abrasive cleaners or pads or you may scratch the finish.


• Homemade marble cleaner recipes usually include soap or even ammonia or vinegar. We already know to avoid ammonia and vinegar.
  
  Most soaps will not harm your marble countertop, but if used regularly, soap will leave a film just like in the shower.
  
  Soap film attracts dirt and makes the marble look dull and dingy. It is hard to remove too (see bath section below) which defeats the purpose of using it.
  

What Is The Best Marble Cleaner?

The best marble cleaners to use are specially-formulated, non-damaging professional marble cleaners.

Professional products provide superior performance and safety for cleaning marble & travertine, granite, or any natural stone.

And they provide peace-of-mind that you're protecting your investment and maintaining your marble countertops, floors, and tile in shiny new condition.

Granite is a little more forgiving and will not etch immediately with generic or harsh products, but that's almost worse since you won't notice the damage and dullness for months to years.

One day you look at your granite tops and think... "geez these used to be real shiny". And re-polishing granite requires professional help.

Problem-specific marble cleaners are needed depending on the particular surface or cleaning issue.

Unfortunately, no one marble cleaner solves all issues. In the following sections we detail the specific products needed for various problems.

Marble Cleaners for Countertops & Floors

Countertops

This Granite & Marble Cleaning spray is our favorite product for general use cleaning marble countertops (and all other stone countertops).

Cleans easily with a streak-free shine for both bathroom countertops and kitchen countertops. Provides superior performance all-around and totally safe for marble and natural stone.

For extra shine use the Topical Polish Enhancer. This marble polish is not a "repair" product. It won't fix dull marble from etching or wear. It will enhance the shine to make it really pop, provide some protection, condition the stone, and make the surface easier to clean.

It's not for use on floor tile as it is a bit slippery.

Marble Floor Tile & Grout Cleaner

The Marble & Granite Floor Tile Cleaner is a concentrated, no-rinse formula. Just mix with water, mop and go to clean marble floors without streaks.

The "Heavy Duty" version is used for cleaning marble grout and floors with built-up dirt and grime.

Get this Professional Microfiber Mop or this Spray Mop which work really well on marble tile and make the job much easier.

Cleaning Products for Marble Showers & Bathrooms

Shower, Grout & Tub

This Bath & Shower Kit takes care of all your bathroom cleaning needs with the following cleaners:

• Soap Scum & Hard Water Cleaner (Regular shower cleaner)


• Mold & Mildew Cleaner


• Countertop Cleaner

Soap scum is the primary problem in showers. It traps dirt and leads to mold growth. That's why the above cleaner in this kit is the best to use as your regular weekly marble shower cleaner.

The same is true for hard water stains (see more below). Calcium deposits can look like soap film and occur around sinks and faucets too.

Both hard water stains and soap scum are tenacious and require a special formula to remove.

This is why a marble countertop cleaner or floor cleaner isn't a solution for this issue.

The same is true for mold and mildew stains.

Mold and mildew are only occasional problems so this product is used as needed rather than as a "regular" shower cleaner like the Soap & Hard Water Remover.

Marble Cleaners for Special Situations

Etching, Glass Rings, Dull Spots

The ETCH REMOVER / Marble polishing product is made specifically for this purpose. It repolishes dull spots, glass rings, and water stains caused by etching to restore the color and shine.

Unlike dull granite noted above... marble etching can almost always be repaired by the homeowner. (This product for polished marble only).

For honed marble use the Marble Polishing Pads - Drill Kit or follow the DIY instructions in the Removing Etch Marks e-book.

Hard Water Stains

The Hard Water / Soap Scum Remover will remove hard water stains, calcium, and mineral deposits without ruining your marble. This problem is usually seen as a crusty white film around sinks and faucets or as a film in the shower.

Soap Scum

Cleaning soap scum on marble is a snap using the same product as above to remove hard water deposits. Showers will always have soap scum so luckily regular cleaning with this one cleaner tackles both issues.

Mold & Mildew

The Mold & Mildew Remover quickly cleans away mildew and mold without marring the marble.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner

A Non-Acidic Toilet Bowl Cleaner is a good idea to avoid etch spots on marble floor tile from drips and spills of typical caustic toilet cleaners.

Marble Stains

Dark spots from substances absorbing into the marble are removed following the DIY procedure in the Removing Marble Stains e-book.

Or you can use the Stain Removal Poultice.

Marble stains and etching are often confused. Each a different cause and each requires a different solution.

Need help deciding which product to choose, just contact us anytime... we're glad to help!

Best Marble Cleaner and Polish

QUESTION:

I am inheriting a white marble coffee table and a rose marble dresser with two matching nightstands.

They have been in my family for over 60 years and are in mint condition.

I have an active family with children and pets.

I would like to know the best way to take care of and preserve these pieces.

What's the best marble cleaner and polish?

Thank you for any information.

ANSWER:

The best marble cleaner and polish are those specifically made safe for cleaning marble as detailed with links above (at the top of the page).

Most common and brand-name household cleaners will cause dull etch marks.

Also, a marble cleaner and polish are actually two separate products requiring different formulations to accomplish the desired tasks.

The marble cleaner will clean off all gunk, spills, and messes leaving a streak-free shine.

Of course, the "shine" on marble is part of the marble itself. Kind of like the reflection of a mirror is part of the mirror itself and not from Windex. But cleaning a mirror with Windex will make that reflection super-clear and bright.

In a similar manner...

The marble polish will enhance the color and shine that exists as part of the marble to make it really pop and look the best it can.

Additionally, you'll find extensive information about marble, repair, cleaning and maintenance on various pages of this website.

The Marble Care: Do's & Don'ts guide will help a lot giving you general guidelines to follow on a regular basis.

For complete step-by-step "how to" information that includes absolutely everything you'll ever want or need to know about cleaning marble, sealing marble, polishing marble, and general care including simple DIY solutions for any problems you might encounter with marble cleaner recommendations... then get the Cleaning Marble Secrets ebook.

But bare-bones basics... you'll want to always use trivets, coasters, and placemats to avoid contact with any acidic foods or drinks that will etch and dull the surface finish.

And only use products that are formulated specifically for use on marble so you don't risk damaging the surface.

Best Marble Floor Tile Cleaner

QUESTION:

I have about 2000 sq. feet of white marble floor tile in the kitchen, dining, living areas, hallways, stairways. So, my questions...

What is the best marble floor cleaner to use?

How to clean marble floors easily, inexpensively,
and quickly?

ANSWER:

Well, you can clean marble floors quickly and easily, but it will cost you a bit more.

Or you can do it inexpensively, but it will require a lot more time and effort and may damage the marble floor tile depending on what you use.

I'll discuss the time, effort, and expense of all possible methods below along with what to avoid, but here's the short answer to your first question...

What is the best marble floor cleaner?

I highly recommend using this Granite & Marble Floor Tile Cleaner.... it's the best we've used. Very effective product and cleans marble floors without streaks or damage. Quick and easy!

Of course, it isn't the cheapest, but in the long run, it saves you time, effort, and repair hassle.

It's a concentrate that you mix with water so you get many cleanings from one bottle without ever risking damage and your marble floor tile will look stunning... it's worth it!

And FYI... all the info here also applies to cleaning travertine tile floors and limestone since marble, travertine, and limestone are like sisters.

How To Clean Marble Floors Step-by-Step

1. Sweep all debris and dust from the marble floor.


2. Mix the concentrate marble floor cleaner recommended above in a bucket of water.


3. Use a clean mop.


4. Wet floor or mop with cleaner.


5. Mop floor tile with overlapping strokes.


6. Allow floor to dry.

Choosing the right mop will make cleaning mable floors just that much easier.

The Spin Mop & Bucket is an update of the old string mop and a solid choice. It's reasonably durable but still a bit futzy with mop and bucket and wringing out the mop, etc.

A Spray Mop allows you to mix your marble floor cleaner into the spray bottle and just spray and mop. No bucket or wringing and comes with washable and replaceable microfiber mop pads.

It's hard to argue against the spray mop except it isn't super-durable. Meaning it will likely break at some point but it's not expensive.

The best choice is this Professional microfiber floor mop in my opinion. It doesn't have a sprayer so you'll need to wet the floor with your own spray bottle first, but its swivel mechanism is excellent which makes it much easier to use in corners and around objects.

Also, it IS extremely durable and will last forever with washable and replaceable microfiber mop pads.

Of course, any of the above mops will work. The marble cleaning product you use is the biggest factor by far in the results you get.

Other Marble Floor Cleaner Options & Tips

Avoiding problems and damage is the first step to make cleaning marble floors painless and easy.

So, it's most important to know what you should not use for cleaning marble.

Marble floor tile is chemically sensitive to acidic substances, as well as most name-brand and common household cleaners that are too alkaline.

A chemical reaction occurs when using products that are too harsh for cleaning marble that results in dull and discolored spots, areas, or even damaging the entire marble floor or countertop.

It's called marble etching and the only way to prevent etching is to avoid contact with acidic and caustic substances.

Many foods and drinks are acidic and many cleaners are either too acidic or too alkaline.

Go to the marble polishing page to learn more about etching and check out the marble repair page as well.

"Cheap" homemade marble cleaners like vinegar, ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, and bleach cannot be used without dulling the finish and etching the marble.

Likewise, brand-name cleaners like Lysol, 409, Comet, etc., and just about all others may damage the finish on contact.

You can use hot water, but it will leave your marble tile floor streaky and isn't too effective on grease/grime.

Using plain dish soap and water is a common recommendation, but as explained above, soap will leave a film or residue (like soap scum in the shower) that will make your marble floor tile look dull and drab over time.

Also, soap and water will not clean marble floors without streaks. Streaks after cleaning are what drive most homeowners nuts, so it's a cheap but not an effective marble floor cleaner.

There you have it. You can go cheap with homemade marble floor cleaners, but you'll work 10x harder for likely inferior results and possible damage.

Spending more on the best marble floor cleaner and a good mop will save you tons of time and effort and leave your marble looking fantastic which, for most homeowners, that is the ultimate goal.

Homemade & Cheap Marble Cleaning Products

QUESTION:

What can I clean my marble vanity top with that is not expensive to buy?

How do I make a homemade marble cleaner?

ANSWER:

You can use a cheap or homemade marble cleaner, but I'd suggest you first consider...

• What do you consider expensive?


• How well do you want to clean and maintain your marble?


• Do you want to risk possibly damaging your marble?


• How much effort are you willing to spend on a daily basis?

Most products are developed for specific uses on certain surfaces.

For instance, you wouldn't use Windex on fine-wood furniture, would you? It's cheap, and it will clean it, but it will also damage it. Marble is no different.

Many cheap chemicals will "clean" marble, but also damage it... so, when you ask for "cheap" I can only compare what is an appropriate product for cleaning marble countertops and floor tile.

I recommend using this Granite & Marble Cleaning spray VALUE KIT because it is perfectly formulated for cleaning marble safely, effectively and streak-free so it looks great... it's also the cheapest marble cleaner available.

It's a concentrate mixed with water so you can make many quarts of cleaner that will last a long time and won't cost much annually.

Advice on Homemade Marble Cleaners

Hot water will work as a marble cleaner. It will require a lot more effort to remove any gunk on your countertops, though.

Also, water will leave streaks so you'll have to buff it completely dry to clean without streaks, but it won't damage the marble.

Obviously, you'll use hot water and a sponge for quick wipes to remove crumbs, etc., as you would on any countertop. The point is that using water as the only cleaner for the entire surface isn't very effective and requires a lot of extra work.

Dish soap is often recommended or a mixture of soap and alcohol as a homemade marble cleaner.

Let me explain why this is not a good or usefull choice for a regular marble cleaner even though it will technically work.

Most dish soaps won't hurt your marble countertop. That is most soaps are safe, although a few are acidic enough to etch marble and create dull spots or a ring around the soap dispenser.

Soap leaves a residue that will dull the marble surface, which is the main reason why it's a poor idea to use dish soap as a regular marble cleaner.

Of course, you'll use soap around the sink so you'll have to deal with a little soap film around the sink, but why make it a problem over your entire countertop?

Soap scum will develop on your marble countertop just like it does in any shower. Eventually, this makes the marble look dull and dingy.

You may think... "I'll rinse and wipe the countertop with pure water after cleaning with dish soap to remove any residue."

Well, you'll have to use A LOT of water and wipe the surface down several times to remove the soap film.

Consider that soap scum occurs in every shower on the planet even with the shower water continuously washing it down the drain.

This soap film cannot be removed by water or even a standard marble cleaner. Soap films (like hard water stains or calcium deposits) are very stubborn and difficult to clean.

You'll need to use a special cleaner formulated to cut through and remove soap scum.

I'm not saying it can't be done, but it will take a lot of extra effort to clean the marble with soap, then wipe it down two or three times with clean water, and then buff it completely dry to remove all the streaks.

Bleach, ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, and vinegar are cheap, will "clean" marble, and often are an excellent choice for other types of household cleaning... but all are too harsh (acidic or caustic) for use on marble and will definitely damage the marble countertop or floor finish.

So, the cheapest is hot water, which you'll use all the time but only with much effort to achieve a spotless, streak-free shine.

The next would be dish soap or a homemade marble cleaner mix of soap and alcohol. Again, both will work, but eventually, you'll have a dull and dingy surface from soap scum.

The best "cheap" marble cleaner is the one I recommend above. It's a concentrate that you dilute, so it goes a long way.

And you don't need to use it for every mess you clean up.

Use hot water to wipe off crumbs and clean spills throughout the day.

Then, when needed for tougher gunk or grime, and at the end of the day, use a dedicated, quality (but low-cost) marble cleaner like the Granite & Marble Cleaning spray VALUE KIT suggested above. You won't use it up very quickly, so it's pretty cheap on a yearly basis.

Save even more with a Countertop Specialty coupon code.

Marble Cleaners in Canada

by J
(Cambridge On.)

QUESTION:

Where can I buy the MB marble cleaner in Cambridge, Ontario Canada?

ANSWER:

The MB marble cleaner and product line is not available at stores in Canada.

Professional grade stone care products are rarely sold in big box stores or other retail locations even in the US. However, you can order MB products for delivery to Canada and all other countries (see below).

Canada / International Granite & Marble Cleaning Products

Click the following link to order Granite & Marble Care Products for Canada and International delivery at our Stone Care Center where you'll find MB and other product solutions for all natural stone care and cleaning issues.

Nearly all products at the Stone Care Center ship to most countries save a couple exceptions that are noted in the product description.

In case you don't know.... Most common household cleaners including brand-name cleaners will damage natural stone particularly marble, travertine, and limestone.

To properly clean, maintain and protect granite and marble you should use only products made specifically for safe use on natural stone.

We recommend (and use) only the top-performing, best value granite & marble cleaners on our website and store.

The MB product line is excellent and highly-respected in the stone industry. Also, very popular with homeowners. You'll love 'em!

At the Stone Care Center, you'll find MB stone care products and other top products for:

• Restoring Marble Etching, Water spots, and Glass Rings


• Sealing Granite Countertops, Marble, and Travertine Tile


• Enhancing Color of Honed Surfaces


• Cleaning Soap Scum & Hard Water Stains


• Cleaning Mildew & Mold Removal


• Repairing Chips & Pits


• General Granite & Marble Cleaning


• Tile Floor Cleaner


• Polishing Marble, Travertine tile and Limestone

And we'll happily answer any and all questions regarding product selection, use and stone care at any time.