A Guide to Maintaining Your Bathroom Marble

There’s a reason why marble is such a popular surface in both kitchens and bathrooms. You can find marble on countertops, as shower tile, as flooring, and it never gets old. The stark white combined with characteristically unique lines makes it both timelessly classic and sleek and new. But marble surfaces are an investment that requires ongoing maintenance in order to keep them as beautiful as they are when first installed. Do you know how to care for your marble surfaces? Let today’s blog serve as your guide to maintaining your bathroom marble:

Seal All Marble Surfaces

Marble is beautiful, but it is porous and will absorb moisture. Since your bathroom is likely the most moist room in the home, that makes marble sealer a necessity. Marble can be darkened or worn down by taking in too much water. It might even cause separation cracks. Marble sealer helps to slow the porous nature of the marble, so you can wipe up the moisture before it has a chance to seep into the marble. You’ll still want to make sure to wipe up spills onto marble surfaces immediately or run a fan to dry the bathroom after a shower, to prevent further water permeation.

Can Marble Really Crack?

Marble is a solid, durable surface, but yes, it can crack, whether from the pressure of weight applied to it or internal stress causing a separation crack. When marble cracks happen, it’s best to have them repaired as soon as possible. A few different types of marble cracks include:

• Hairline. A surface crack that goes no deeper and may only be the result of a scuff.
• Fissures. Fissures naturally occur under the surface and often lead to the natural character of the stone that homeowners love. It will feel smooth to the touch. However, fissures can lead to cracks eventually, so keep an eye out for any fissures you see.
• Full-thickness cracks. A full-thickness crack expands to the full thickness of the marble, whether from pressure or internal stress. This kind of crack is urgent and should be fixed immediately.
• Separation cracks. Separation cracks involve not only a deep crack but a crack in which the marble is pulling away from itself, often caused by internal stress. This is also an urgent fix.

Marble cracks can occur in the corners of the marble or in the center. Make sure to call in a professional to have marble cracks repaired as soon as possible. From there, make sure to seal your marble to prevent cracks in the future.

How to Clean Bathroom Marble

You might have your favorite bottle of household chemical cleaners, but it’s not a good idea to use that on your marble surfaces. The use of chemicals can stain the stone, and even using too much water could potentially dim the quality of it. You may be able to find stone soap that can be used on your marble surfaces, or gentle cleaners that include conditioning agents. Wipe your marble surfaces down with stone soap and a gentle microfiber cloth or a sponge. 

Try to avoid cleaners used to combat mildew, as these can also stain the marble. Instead, just stay on top of your marble seal to ensure that mildew stays out. You can polish and protect marble surfaces with stone paste. If you have marble tile flooring, make sure to mop it regularly.

Don’t Sit on Marble Surfaces

Ultimately, marble is a stone surface. If weight is applied to it, it won’t flex or bend with it; it will simply crack under the pressure. Even if you’re fairly light for a fully grown person, you’ll still be heavy enough to do potential damage to marble countertops. So while it might be tempting to slide up and sit down on the marble surfaces, try to refrain. This will be better for your comfort and will help your marble surfaces to last longer.

Place Bathroom Products In a Tray

Your bathroom is full of bottles: soap bottles, shampoo and conditioner bottles, lotions, perfume, the list goes on. Some of the contents of those bottles can sometimes eke out and make their way onto the marble, staining it. Toothpaste could also leak from the tube and leave residue on your countertops. To avoid this, try not to place any of your bathroom bottles or tubes bare on the counter. Instead, buy a bathroom tray and place all of your items on that tray to protect your countertop.

Soap Scum is Inevitable, So Don’t Sweat It

If your shower has marble tile, you’re going to run into soap scum at some point. It’s inevitable. Soap scum refers to the white streaks of dried soap often left over after a shower. Don’t sweat it too much. It’s unsightly, but it’s not difficult to clean with soap scum remover or hard water. Just wipe your shower down regularly to keep your marble tile in its usual lovely, shiny shape.

Use an Area Rug For Marble Floors

If you have marble floors and your bathroom is heavily trafficked, you may consider adding an area rug. Because of the moisture that builds in bathrooms, it may be best to use an outdoor rug that is hardier. This will keep the marble from taking too much damage from stains or scuffs while also keeping your bathroom comfortable for months and years to come.

Marble can be a beautiful and lasting element to any bathroom design. Need help finding the perfect marble vanity, floor, or shower tile? Contact Jericho Home Improvements today to learn more about our bathroom remodeling or to get started with a free estimate.