What is Tumbled Marble?
Tumbled marble is made by tumbling raw stones into a vat filled with abrasive material. The resulting stones have an uneven appearance that brings a rustic aesthetic to any home. Unpolished and completely void of chemical treatments, tumbled marble is a popular choice for homeowners who like to have a natural feel in their houses.
Keeping the rustic look of tumbled marble flooring without the grime is easier said than done. Tumbled marble has ridges that give the natural stone an unpolished look with more muted coloration than honed marble or polished marble. Dirt, dust, and grime can easily get trapped in the uneven surface, and the porous material retains oils and moisture.
Cleaning tumbled marble tile flooring and natural-cut tumbled marble takes more time and effort, but to completely keep your floors clean, you'll need to do some marble cleaning every now and then. Whether your flooring is made from marble shower tiles, or you have a marble shower floor, knowing how to keep these areas clean is essential to keeping your home pristine.
How to Clean Tumbled Marble Floors
Marble is known to last for generations, as seen in renaissance artworks and ancient marble structures, as long as the stone is well-cared for. Many generational homes still uses the same marble surfaces from when the homes were built decades ago, and taking steps to care for your marble floors can make them last for years as well!
Like any natural stone, tumbled marble is susceptible to etching when in contact with corrosive and acidic substances. However, since tumbled marble is unpolished, etching is less visible. An acidic cleaning solution can still degrade your marble, so best to stick to stone-safe formulas instead.
1. How to Clean Tumbled Marble Natural Stone
For sawn-cut and natural-cut tumbled marble, occasionally apply a penetrating sealer made of wax or stone-safe oils to seal stone and keep moisture away from the porous surface. First clean the entire surface with a neutral pH cleaner, a soft sponge, and scrub brush if needed.
Clean the whole surface with a neutral cleaner, focusing on heavily stained or grimey areas. For tumbled marble floors used outdoors, like swimming pool stone and verandas, you may need to use a power washer to get rid of the scum. Allow the marble to dry completely before applying a good, penetrating sealer.
2. How to Clean Tumbled Marble Tile
Tumbled marble tile floors have grout in between them that seals the cracks, placed to prevent moisture, dirt, and dust from getting into the foundation of your tiles. Both the tumbled marble tiles and the grout need to be cleaned regularly to prevent the formation of mold, especially if your tiles line your marble shower floor.
Clean your tumbled marble tiles with a marble safe cleaner, using a soft brush to get in between each tile. Clean stains out with a stone-safe stain remover such as StoneCare or Granite Gold, and use a damp cloth to wipe away the stain.
For heavily-stained grout, use a baking soda paste mixed with hydrogen peroxide to clear away the mold and mildew. Soap scum and hard water stains can be removed with some castile soap, which does not leave soap scum behind, and some warm water.
Dos and Don’ts When Cleaning Tumbled Marble Flooring
While doing any sort of upkeep on natural stones such as marble, there are a couple of general dos and don'ts to consider. Following these rules will prevent damage on your marble, and keep your natural stones in great condition for years to come.
DOs
- Re-apply a polish into your clean marble to prevent water damage, mold, and mildew stains.
- Use baking soda to scrub out any tough grime, as baking soda is an effective cleaner that provides a gentle abrasion power.
- Set a regular cleaning schedule for your marble surfaces, particularly in your marble shower area.
- Use a dust mop to sweep away any loose debris before washing your marble floors.
- Tumbled tiles will need to be cleaned periodically to clean any stained area, and maintain the cleanliness of the grout.
- Any type of marble, whether gone through a polishing or tumbling process, should be sealed periodically to keep away excess water from your tile.
DON'Ts
- Don't use bleach, alcohol, or other harsh chemicals on your marble as these may cause damage.
- Don't leave stains to set, as these will require more intensive cleaning in the future.
- Sharp edges from furniture and fixtures should be kept away from the marble to prevent scratches.
- Don't use abrasive cleaning tools on the tumbled surface when cleaning marble.
- Any solution with acidic qualities should be kept away from natural stone surfaces, as acid can cause the stone to dissolve, corrode, or etch over time.
Professional Marble Cleaning
When in doubt, go for professional marble cleaning services to clean your marble tile floors, and tumbled flooring. Professional cleaning services should be your go-to cleaning regimen for tumbled stone surfaces, as they know how to properly clean and care for sensitive surfaces such as marble, granite, limestone, and more.
You can rest assured that the tools and cleaning implements used by professional cleaners are effective at clearing away dirt and oils, without leaving a stain or scratch on your marble flooring. The end result gives you a clean floor with a matte finish and a sophisticated feel.
Luce SG offers professional cleaning services all over Singapore! Our trained professional cleaners can effectively remove stains, mildew, and other contaminants easily from your flooring - no matter what material.
