Cleaning Marble Hearth

For your regular cleaning you might try using just water and a rag to clean it.

Cleaning marble hearth.

This will prevent the particles from scratching the marble during wet cleaning. For this reason it s best to use a specialist marble cleaning product one that is specifically designed to clean marble. Use another spray bottle with plain water to rinse the area and wipe dry with a clean cloth. General grime nicotine build up and fingerprints can usually be cleaned from unpainted marble using white spirit or a mixture of deionised purified water with up to 2 non ionic detergent added.

Marble is a very porous substance and you will want to avoid using certain cleaners on it. Vacuum any dust or soot from the marble hearth using a hose or soft brush attachment. After cleaning make sure you thoroughly wipe down the surface to dry it and avoid streaks. Use warm not hot water.

It s always a good idea to clean your hearth in preparation for cosy evenings around the fireplace before the winter months roll in. Fill a bucket with 1 gallon of warm water and 1 to 2 tbsp of stone cleaner or mild dish soap. Scrub the surface of the marble with a plastic or natural bristle type brush using a homemade solution of 4 parts water and 1 part hydrogen peroxide. Use mildly soapy water to clean a slate or granite hearth then rinse.

Traditional cleaning products and harsh chemicals when absorbed into the core of the marble can damage the integrity of the stone and could damage or crack the surface. Try not to let the marble air dry as this can cause water spots especially on flat surfaces such as the mantel and hearth. Let the mild bleach solution sit on the surface for 15 20 minutes. For stubborn areas an equal mixture of water and white spirit with up to 2 non ionic detergent added may be useful.

Use only ph balanced and nonabrasive cleaners to avoid damaging your marble hearth. Spray the test area and scrub the solution into the marble with the brushes. Hydrogen peroxide is a very weak acid type solution with very mild bleaching properties it is as close to neutral on a ph scale as a ph balanced dishwashing liquid. Clean marble hearths with warm distilled water and a microfibre cloth.

Make sure to wipe down the marble when you are done to help avoid any streaks.