Since the era of classical antiquity, marble has been renowned for its stately beauty and spectacular resilience. In the modern day, whether you use marble for a countertop, floor or accent wall in your home, it’s important to keep it clean – and to use the proper materials and methods to do so. To sanitize marble in your cleaning routine, you might wonder: Can you use bleach on marble? Because bleach is a harsh, acidic cleaner, it can damage marble and other natural stones. Thus, it’s best to avoid using it. So, let’s talk about the right way to maintain the cleanliness of your marble surfaces on a day-to-day basis while preserving their beauty over time.
Can You Use Bleach on Marble?
Although natural stones like marble are known for being quite tough and durable, they don’t pair well with heavy-duty cleaning agents such as bleach, nor with environmentally friendly alternatives like vinegar. These acidic substances can damage natural stone by dulling its splendor or causing a chemical reaction known as etching, which results in difficult-to-reverse marks being left on the stone’s surface. Thus, we respond with a firm “no” to the question of “can you use bleach on marble?” – one of the most common mistakes made when cleaning natural stone.
To avoid undesired blemishes, it’s best to stick with cleaners specifically approved for natural stone for marble and its relatives. Here are a few additional tips on caring for various natural stone surfaces:
- Warm water and gentle dish detergent are typically fine as well, although it’s important to make sure you’re using a non-abrasive sponge. Our surface experts advise cleaning and wiping down marble counters, vanity tops or shower walls with a microfiber cloth for best results.
- If you go for a natural stone floor, keep in mind that it can be scratched by abrasive debris. To prevent cosmetic imperfections, get in the habit of sweeping, mopping or vacuuming on a regular basis so your floors remain free of dirt and grime. For added protection and control in high-traffic areas like your entryway, you might also put down washable rugs or runners.
Now that we’ve clarified why the answer to “can you use bleach on marble?” is that it’s not recommended, we’d like to share a few more pieces of wisdom on keeping your natural stone surfaces pristine. Specifically, let’s talk about more things that can be potentially harmful to natural stone and how to safeguard your surfaces against them.
What Else to Know About Maintaining Marble
Beyond incompatible cleaners, other acidic substances may also lead to physical damage of natural stones such as marble. Examples include:
- Fruit juice
- Wine
- Coffee
- Certain condiments/sauces
To protect natural stone surfaces against staining and etching as well as moisture and bacteria intrusion, it’s highly beneficial to have them sealed as recommended by the manufacturer. The necessary frequency of this maintenance step will vary based on the particular surface variety and application.
With high-quality sealers, the guideline for resealing is around once every 3-10 years, depending on the material, its porosity level and how much use it gets. Because marble tends to be one of the more porous natural stones, it may need to be resealed annually to maintain a germ and moistureproof surface. If you begin to notice darkened spots on your natural stone, this is your cue to reseal.
As an important note, even on sealed marble, any spills should be cleaned up promptly to prevent etching, staining or premature wearing down of the sealant.
Discover the Natural Stone of Your Dreams at Cosmos SurfacesTM
Eager to peruse a range of marble varieties and other excellent natural stone options for a renovation project you’re planning? Allow us to show you what’s in store at Cosmos SurfacesTM!
With showrooms across the U.S., our selection is unparalleled, as is our customer service. Our experts are here to point you in the right direction based on your aesthetic goals, maintenance preferences and project budget.
Available from Cosmos is everything from classic marbles like Carrara White to more unexpected choices like Caravaggio. Beyond marble, our array of surfaces includes everything from granite to engineered quartz to tile. To begin working with one of our surface specialists and learn more, reach out today on our website. We’ll be in touch promptly, but feel free to explore our online gallery in the meantime!
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