After one of our friends bought a house with a marble shower, she sent us an email declaring her undying hatred of it. Why? Because cleaning it sucks. Considering all the mystery products in regular bath soaps and shampoos, we can just imagine what a nightmare it is to maintain a marble shower. So how DO you keep it clean?
[ The Marble shower at L'Auberge du Lac. Photo by Charlyn Keating Chisholm ]
We found this handy-dandy tutorial over at the DIY Network where the Queen of Clean, Linda Cobb, demonstrates how to clean a marble shower using her homemade solution. Mixing together fabric softener and water, Cobb rubs the solution with a soft cloth and buffs the surface. Another of Cobb's tricks? Turn your shower into Teflon with Clean Shield. It'll help prevent dirt from building up.
Tile experts advise not to use any other cleaners except ones that are specifically for marble, as it's highly likely to ruin the surface. Marble does scratch easily (for a stone), so don't use the scrubby side of a sponge or a brush to get stains out.
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I think the key to living happily with marble is to keep it well sealed once it's all nice and clean but it's the kind of thing you need to make it a point to do on a regular basis which means yes, marble is going to be higher maintenence than most other finishes. All the big box stores sell dedicated stone cleaners and sealers in the section by the tiling products, not the cleaning products.
A great place to look for more specific advice and products that will really work is here:
http://www.johnbridge.com/vbulletin/index.php?
Be careful. Marble is porous and relatively soft. Home remedies like that suggested above could stain or discolor the stone permanently. You absolutely need a product specifically for marble.
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I, on the other hand, have a marble floor that I hate and have used abrasive cleansers on it...it's no longer shiny and I don't care. It looks more rustic and I don't mind...
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Do NOT try that recipe with "organic" fabric softener, which often contains vinegar or other acids. Vinegar, lemon juice, or any acid will ruin your marble.
view wende in the twin cities's profile
The easiest way to care for marble is to never buy it! I have carrera in my bathroom and spend two hours cleaning on the weekends and cursing at myself. Every little drop of "x" leaves a mark. Never again.
I use Aqua Mix antibacterial cleaner. They have excellent products.
www.aquamix.com
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