How to clean marble?

[Rafael]

As recomended by my contractor, I rinse my marble floor weekly with warm water and dry mop it almost every day.
But after 3 day or so of washing it with warm water, I can notice a film on the floor, and if I want to get rid of it I would have to rinse it again with water.
Is there a way to keep marble film free longer without having to wet mop?

Regards

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[Steven Hauser]

Rafael,

Tell us what type of material you have and where you think the film is coming from.

Could your mop head have a residue of cleaner on it?

If so we need to get the residue off the marble. We'll need to know what type of cleaner and how long you have been doing it.

[Rafael]

I was told the marble is a sandy beige (16 x 16 floor tiles). Porosity seems very low, and it seems like a pretty hard material. The material has no sealer/impregnator as i was told that the porosity was very low.

I am using no product at all, just warm water with a cotton mop I expresively bought and use for my floor.

I thought it could be residues of the grouting process, but when I wet mop it it vanishes, the film goes away, but it magically appers after 3 days or so, even though I dry mop it almost every day.

This film is complete mistery to me, and I would really appreciate any idea you may have.

Regards

[Steven Hauser]

Hi Rafael,

Though the material did not require any sealer, there appears to be something on the material, just like your counter.

Try getting a straight razor blade, hold it at a 22.5 degree angle (almost flat against the floor. Scrape very carefully but quickly. Be careful because you can scratch the material if you are not careful. Is there anything removed by this process?


Is the film around the grout joints?

Thanks

[mhegge1954]

Another possibility is that the cotton mop, when used with warm water, is leaching cotton oil onto the surface. The process of dry mopping is attaching small particles of soil to this oil and eventually it starts to show. Without the use of a cleaner, the soil and cotton oil is not being emulsified and suspended in the water when the mopping is done.

[Steven Hauser]

Nicely said Michael.
:)

[doitright]

Hi Rafael :)

Start by picking up some stone specific neutral pH cleaner, and start washing your floor with that.

Are the grout joints soiled? :shades:

[Rafael]

Thank you all for your help, I really appreciate it. :)

The film tends to be more visible on the grout joints

I will try to replace the cotton mop, any sugestion regarding the mop material?

I will also get a PH balanced cleaner, any suggestions?

Regards

[doitright]

Hi Rafael :)

A cotton blend mop head is good. There is even a green antimicrobial treated mop head at the Depot in the janitorial section.

As far as the cleaner. Click the Stone Tech link in my signature. There you'll find this product: http://www.tileyourworld.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=22&products_id=54

[claycarson]

Rafael -

One simple idea that may be wrong. Are these polished, shiny marble floors? If so, try this: Buff them after water has dried.

Take a cloth towel and buff a small section. If that improves it, try the whole floor. You can use a machine if it turns out to be be an improvement and you wanna do the whole floor.

[krysti0423]

Thank you all for your help, I really appreciate it. :)

The film tends to be more visible on the grout joints

I will try to replace the cotton mop, any sugestion regarding the mop material?

I will also get a PH balanced cleaner, any suggestions?

Regards


Hi Rafael,

Go to www.stonecare.com The website is very informative and all of their cleaners and sealers are ph neutral. Even though your stone may not be very porous, I would still suggest you Seal it as you will be upset with yourself if you don't and you end up having a staining issue.

[Rafael]

I am going to try with a PH balanced cleaner, and see what happens after few days.

But I also tried with the razor blade holdining almost flat against the floor and scraped very carefully, just as Steve recomended.

What I got was a very fine white powder.

Any idea?

Kind regards

[doitright]

Hi Rafael,

Taken from your earlier post, it sounds like grout residue indeed. :nod:


I thought it could be residues of the grouting process, but when I wet mop it it vanishes, the film goes away, but it magically appers after 3 days or so, even though I dry mop it almost every day.

[Michael of Stonehenge]

Hi Rafael, This might sound a little out there but, Have you had any painting or drywall work recently in your home. Dust from a tradesman may still be prevalent within your area. Check the tops of your cabinetry and the inside of your ductwork to see if this is true. Just a quick thought. Michael of Stonehenge

[doitright]

Hi Michael :)

Great point! :nod: (Razor blade not needed for this, test with a finger swipe - similiar to white glove test :D )

Check and change air filter is always a good idea. Might be necessary to have ducts cleaned.

[Rafael]

Thank you guys! I will try the ducts, because I actually had some dry wall and painting job recently.

I actually never thought this could be the source of my problems because as long as the contractors were working, the floor was fully covered and as soon as they finished, I cleaned everything carefully.

Do you have any suggestion on the procedure and product to safely get rid of this film? Maybe a ph balanced cleaner and cotton mop? Any specific cleaner?

Thank you very much! :)

[doitright]

Hi Rafael :)

As I said in post #9 - http://www.tileyourworld.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=22&products_id=54

Most guys that do drywall don't cover the vents, or turn the system off, let alone use a vac while sanding. There isn't anywhere drywall dust won't travel. Have you checked your air filter yet?

[Tom McNall]

Has anyone considered efflorescence from the grout? After all it is a new install.

[tileguytodd]

efflorescence spreading an even film over the marble Tom???This would be a first for me.I find that highly unlikely and with a 3 day period before showing up i would suspect the hvac system or another source of fine dust.
Of course I am not a restoration specialist.
I can make dust with the best of them though ;)