how to care for marble tile, from sealing to stains

marble is one of our mainstay materials — witnessed in our growing collection of marble tile, which includes carrara, thassos, dolomite, calacatta gold, and calacatta viola.

there’s nothing that’s quite as statement-making as marble tile. whether for a countertop, fireplace surround, or even the most luxurious of floors, marble brings grandeur and elegance in ways few materials can replicate.

caring for & cleaning marble tile

even the most elevated marble tile needs a little tlc to continue looking its very best over time. and that brings us to the question of whether or not to seal your marble tile. we fully embrace the natural patina and soft character marble acquires with time, which means we don’t believe sealing is absolutely necessary. look at the centuries-old stone found through europe, the middle east, and the americas, and you’ll see we’re in good company.

that said, we understand some may wish to preserve their tile’s appearance for as long as possible — and to streamline everyday maintenance. in addition to the below guidelines, we always recommend consulting your contractor, your tile’s material guidelines, and your cleaner’s instructions for more detailed steps.

sealing your marble tile

before you start thinking about cleaning marble tile, it’s important to think about what comes before it: sealing. sealing is a key step during the installation process, carried out by the contractor who installs your tile.

proper sealing helps keep staining and abrasive substances from seeping through the porous surface of your tile. it also helps repel water, which can cause discoloration or darken the appearance of marble over time.

after the initial sealing, marble tile should be resealed regularly by a professional to maintain its stain resistant and water repelling finish. how often you reseal depends on where your tile is installed, how much traffic it sees, and how much moisture it’s exposed to. it could be as often as every six months or as infrequent as every five years.

as always, it’s best to refer to your contractor and your tile’s material guidelines here. the sealer your contractor uses should also have its own maintenance and care guidelines.

dry sweeping & vacuuming

when it comes to everyday cleaning and maintenance, sweeping and vacuuming are both effective ways to keep dust, dirt, and debris at bay. always opt for a soft-bristled broom or dry mop, and be sure your broom or mop has not captured any sharp debris that could cause scratching.

the same goes for vacuuming — always use a soft brush attachment to avoid scratching the marble surface. many people find this, a soft cloth, or a dry mop to be the easiest option when touching up marble tiles installed on walls.

mopping marble tile

when you feel your marble tile floors can benefit from mopping, avoid using harsh cleaners that can damage the surface of the tile. instead, opt for warm water and a gentle, ph neutral cleaner formulated specifically for natural stone and grout. marble is sensitive to excess moisture, so be sure your mop is damp and not soaking wet.

treating stains on marble tile

marble tiles installed in high-traffic areas such as the kitchen floor and bathroom are especially likely to encounter stains every now and then. when spills do happen, treat them promptly with a gentle, ph neutral cleaner, soft bristle brush, and clean cloth for drying. When in doubt (and even if not) hire a professional.

drying marble tile

while sealing your marble tile regularly will offer water resistance, it’s important to keep in mind that certain types of marble, such as carrara marble, contain naturally occurring iron deposits. these can cause rust spots if exposed to excessive moisture.

while we welcome the occasional rust spot as part of the charm of marble tile, it’s generally best to dry off your marble tile surface after every use. a squeegee or soft cloth can come in handy here. 

dos and don’ts of marble tile care

we love marble for its lasting durability and endless versatility. (just consider all the rich and decadent options it comes in.) in addition to the above general care guidelines, here are a few more dos and don’ts to keep in mind as you protect your tile’s innate beauty.

best cleaners for marble tile

when cleaning and caring for marble tile, it’s best to use gentle, ph neutral cleaners and products that are formulated specifically for stone. these are mild enough to be used as often as needed without undermining the penetrating sealer that has been applied to your tile. your tile’s material guidelines can offer helpful guidance here.

what not to use on marble tile

when mopping and spot cleaning marble tile, avoid using any highly alkaline, acidic, ammonia based, or abrasive cleaners such as bleach. these can damage the tile or grout and degrade any applied sealer.

daily maintenance of marble tile

as mentioned above, a gentle approach is generally best for marble tile. always opt for a soft-bristled broom, soft mop, or soft vacuum attachment when removing dust, dirt, and debris from your tile. when cleaner is involved, stick with a gentle and ph neutral one.

spill and stain maintenance

first, be aware of the substances that can seep into, stain, and even etch away at your marble tile. wine, coffee, lemon juice, tomato sauce, soap scum, and oil-based substances are all common culprits. always treat these and any spills promptly with a recommended cleaner to prevent stains from setting in.

again, this is why regular sealing is important. it protects your marble’s porous surface and gives you more time to remove substances that might otherwise seep in and stain your marble tile.

how to clean marble tile grout

one thing worth noting is that the grouting between your marble tiles also needs regular cleaning and care. your contractor can offer guidance here, as they should have recommended the type of grout and sealer used for your project. generally speaking, a cleaning solution formulated specifically for stone tile is also safe for use on grout.

care tips for a marble shower

as we mentioned above, marble is sensitive to excess water due to the naturally occurring iron deposits it often contains. these can cause rust spots over time without proper care, especially in a wet area such as the shower.

make sure you’ve partnered with a contractor who understands how to install marble in the shower correctly. this includes creating the proper drain slope, as improper drain slope is the number-one cause of tile failures in showers. starting with the right installer will avoid problems with water soaking the marble and causing discolorations or damage.

also be sure your contractor uses a waterproofing, penetrating sealant when installing your marble tile, and have your tile resealed regularly to continue protecting it from water. showers typically need to be resealed more often than dry and lower traffic areas.

for even greater protection against rust spots, dry your tile after every use, and avoid, say, leaving wet towels on a marble floor.

when to hire a pro to clean marble tile

while much of marble tile maintenance can be done yourself, there are times when consulting a professional is best.

if your marble tile exhibits efflorescence, mineral deposits, or calcium based staining, for example, your tile may need restorative surface cleaning with an acidic cleaning compound, which is best handled by an experienced professional. any deep cleaning and preparation prior to resealing marble tile is also best done by a professional.

the same goes for having your marble tile refinished. marble tile can be refinished like hardwood floors for generations of beauty. (this is not an option with glazed types of tile.) while refinishing is an incredible advantage, it, too, should be handled by a professional.