Cleaning marble tile

14 years ago

This might belong in Baths, but this is a much more active forum and Kitchens and Appliances are my GW "homes." So here goes:

We have an almost-all marble master bath: large subway tiles in herringbone pattern for floor, large slabs for tub surround and vanity tops, and a shower with small tiles on the floor and large tiles for the wall. The issue is what to use to clean the shower. We have heard all kinds of advice. On the kitchen counters and the bathroom sinks I try to use a dilute marble cleaner. However I am being told that I need to use something more "aggressive" in the shower or the grout will begin to mildew and discolor. Still, the idea of using something like Clorox Cleanup with Bleach seems wrong. What do folks think about cleaning marble tiles which are frequently exposed to moisture?

Featured Answer

clinresga
Original Author

14 years ago

Hey guys, knew I would get great advice.

Stu, the bathroom is predominantly Carrera, polished. Our kitchen counters are honed Calcatta. The bath counters have held up well given the benign neglect they are subject to. The kitchen counters are still one of my favorite features from our reno--etched like crazy, but I've come to really like that--becomes personalized in a way that inert surfaces like granite or manmade solid surface never do. And no staining, despite being way overdue for resealing.

cat_mom: I'm impressed! The notion of spraying the tiles after every shower impresses me to no end. If we didn't have a housekeeper every couple weeks, ours would never get scrubbed!

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Comments (6)

PRO
Stoneshine
14 years ago
Sounds Nice-For the kitchen counters and bathroom vanities use a neutral ph daily cleaner for countertops.
If you need to disinfect use a dilution of 1.5 or 2.0 ounces of chlorox in a quart spray bottle of water marked as such. Spray on your countertops ocassionally let dwell for seven minutes or so and rinse away.
More agressive for your shower stall-I would use the same
dilution of bleach and water for the shower stall as well.
You can also use 3% volume hydrogen peroxide straight.(not together with the chlorox)
Is your marble honed or polished? What type marble is it.?
Stu Rosen
www.mbstonecare.com
www.stoneshine.com
cat_mom
14 years ago
We've been using 7th Generation Disinfecting Bathroom Cleaner (w/ Lemongrass and Thyme?) on our White Thassos tile in addition to the porcelain tile, grout, etc. in our bathrooms. I had called the company to find out if it was safe for the marble, travertine, and other natural stones, and was told it is--on sealed stone, which ours is. I spray it on the tub surround/tile/grout, let sit a bit, and then wipe/buff with a microfiber cloth (I spray some on the cloth as well before and while wiping the walls). No need to rinse.

The master bathroom is a year and a half old and it still looks like new.

FYI; after showering, I spray the tiles and the tub with Mrs Meyer's Daily Shower Cleaner (according to them it's stone-safe, some or maybe all of their other cleaners are not). I wipe the walls and tub down with a piece of paper towel a short while later (haven't found a new squeegee I like), which also helps to keep the tile and grout looking great.
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cat_mom
14 years ago
I've always used a daily shower "cleaner" spray (even in the cruddy bathrooms!). They help prevent, or cut down on soap-scum build-up between cleanings. IMO, they don't really take the place of weekly (or bi-weekly sometimes!) scrubbing because the hard water film here is still a PITA. I think wiping with a paper towel afterwards goes a long way, too (hence the ability to skip the weekly scrub every now and again!).

Got rid of our cleaning lady a year and a half or so ago for various reasons, so I clean the bathrooms (and the rest of the house) myself. Anything that makes my life easier is a good thing!
PRO
Stoneshine
14 years ago
If your bathroom surfaces are in good shape-keep doing what your doing.Maybe benign neglect is good for the marble!
Keeping surfaces clean is probably the best way to keep any germs at bay for sure. Overdisinfecting or improperly disinfecting with chemicals has its Consequences. I like the idea of botanical natural disinfectants but the plant oils can stain if not sealed.
Check out hydrogen peroxide 3% volume-cheap-green and clean.
Stu Rosen
www.mbstonecare.com
2LittleFishies
14 years ago
Stu-
For marble kitchen counters...
So the clorox/water spray is for disinfecting- used occasionally. What is best for daily cleaning after meals etc -- 3% hydrogen peroxide? Does it come in spray?
What's an example of a neutral ph cleaner?
I often wipe my present counters (formica) with a soapy dish rag. Is that okay w/ marble as well? Do I need to be care of lemon types of soap- or is that usually just a scent?