This stone is very sensitive to acidic chemicals and exposure will leave dull spots. Some acidic chemicals are: lemon, tomato and tomato sauce, coffee, fruit juices, wine, tile cleaners like TileX, mildew removers, X-14, cleaners with lemon, muriatic acid (used to decrease pool pH), and vinegar.

Caring for your marble floor:
Proper care of your marble floor should begin with installation and continue daily.

Care during installation/construction:

• Remove any large chunks of concrete, caulking, etc with a razor blade-being careful to not to scratch the surface.
   

• Dust with a clean cloth to remove saw dust, grit and other debris, do several times to remove all loose particles.
   

• Rinse the surface with cold water mixed with a small amount of neutral cleaner; rinse several times making sure the surface is clean.
   

• Buff any minor streaks with a clean white terry-cloth towel.
   

• Once completely clean and dry, all surfaces should be covered. Use kraft paper or carpet padding,taping edges with low-contact masking tape.
   

• DO NOT use duct tape, as this will cause damage to the stone.
   

• DO NOT use plastic as moisture can build up.

If heavy objects or heavy construction is continuing after covering, place plywood or masonite boards on top of the kraft paper.

Care after construction:

• Remove the kraft paper.
   

• Remove the tape slowly; if the tape is stubborn, wet it with a little distilled water several minutes before removing.
   

• If residue still remains, remove it with a white cloth and a little acetone.
   

• Thoroughly wipe the surface to remove all debris and dust.
   

• Again clean the surface by rinsing with water and a neutral cleaner.
   

• If there are any scratches or damage, now is the time to repair by calling a qualified marble restoration contractor.
   

• Apply a penetrating sealer to all marble surfaces.

Daily Maintenance:
Depending on your preference, there are several tools and daily routines that you can choose from.

Dust Mop and Dust Mopping:

• This could be the single most important tool.
   

• Use a non-treated dust mop-the oil used in treating the mop may soak into the marble and discolor.
   

• Commercial dust mops can be found at most janitorial supply houses.
   

• Dust mopping could be considered the most important maintenance procedure for your floors.

Dust, dirt and grit cause scratches on the surfaces and by eliminating them you reduce the marks to your floor.

• DO dust mopping daily-several times a day if the traffic flow warrants.
   

• Run the dust mop in one direction only-don't move it back and forth.
   

• Remove the collected dust and debris with a dustpan and brush.
   

• Shake the mop outside to remove any remaining residue from the floor.
   

• Store the mop with the head off the ground.
   

• DO NOT wet the dust mop; if the floor is wet, dry it before using the dust mop.
   

• You can machine-wash a good quality mop head in cold water and laundry detergent,it can be machine dried.

Damp mop and Damp/Wet mopping:
The two recommended types of mops for marble floors are sponge and string.

• Sponge mops are available in a variety of sizes. They are good for small areas and spill pickups, but not for larger areas.
   

• The surface of the sponge is small and can become clogged and dirty fairly quick.
   

• As the sponge absorbs the dirt and becomes saturated, you actually put the dirt back on the floor.
   

• If you choose to use a sponge mop-rinse frequently.
   

• String mops also come in various sizes and materials (cotton, rayon, blends of fabrics) and either have sewn or un-sewn ends.
   

• For cleaning your marble floor, we recommend a sewn end. You will be able to machine wash a sewn end mop.
   

• String mops are better for larger floor surfaces.
   

• How often you wet or damp mop your marble floor depends on its finish, the type of marble and the traffic pattern.

In a residential setting, once a week will keep the floor healthy.

• Fill your bucket about half-full with clean COLD or WARM water. (Hot water will cause the floor to streak).
   

• Add the stone soap or neutral cleaner according to the manufacturer's directions.
   

• Using the mop, swish the solution in the bucket to mix.
   

• Wring the mop out thoroughly.
   

• Using a figure-eight pattern, mop the surface.
   

• Mop small sections, turning the mop over often.
   

• Re-dip the mop in the solution and wring again.
   

• It is important to rinse and re-wring the mop often to keep from pushing the dirt around the floor.

Certain marbles will streak regardless of cleaner and method. To avoid this, dry the floor with a soft terry cloth towel or machine buff with a white pad. If the floor is extremely dirty, machine scrubbing may be necessary (see MACHINE SCRUBBING)

Other tools:
Bucket and wringer-avoid poorly constructed models. If you have a large surface to clean, invest in a commercial model. Look for one made of plastic-metal types can rust and cause staining of your floor.

Cleaning rags:

• white terry cloths, old t-shirts, and cotton cleaning rags are good choices for taking care of spills as they happen and removing streaking.
   

• Avoid "shop rags"-cloth remnants that may have colors that could bleed onto your floor.

Sponges:

• Use a clean good-quality sponge for spot-cleaning and absorbing spills.
   

• Avoid the style that has a "scrubbie" side-this could scratch softer marbles.

Dust pan and brush:

• Stay away from metal dustpans as the lip can scratch soft marble surfaces.
   

• Never use a dustpan brush to pick up wet debris-the bristles will hold the materials and put the dirt back on the floor the next time you use it.

Vacuum cleaner:
This is an acceptable and easy way to keep your floors clean, but keep in mind

• A machine with metal wheels can scratch the surface and leave rust stains
   

• Always use the soft brush attachment if you have a canister type vacuum or the soft bristle beater brush for upright models
   

• Clean the wheels and remove any sand that may be stuck to them before bringing onto your marble floor.

Neutral cleaners:

• Use one that has a neutral pH-this means that it's neither alkaline nor acid. It is best to purchase one that is specifically designed for marble floors.
   

• Mats, rugs: A good quality mat will capture dirt before someone walks on the floor. A mat outside the door will take off the "first" layer of dirt and debris and a second mat inside the door will finish the job. This encourages people to wipe their feet before entering your home.
   

• When selecting rugs and mats, it is important to look at the backing. Rubber or jute backed mats or rugs on marble floors can cause bleeding resulting in stains.
   

• A mat should be at least as wide as the doorway it serves.
   

• Clean the mats and under them often-daily if possible.
   

• Make the sure the floor is dry before returning a mat after mopping.

Machine scrubbing and instructions:
Some marble surfaces are difficult to mop due to their absorbency-they soak up the water as fast as you mop, and some will shred your mop head. If this is the case with your floor-machine scrubbing is the best way to clean. The janitorial buffer is an ideal tool-however, it can be difficult to use for a novice. For most homeowners, a two- or three-headed machine is easier to use and are relatively inexpensive. You can also rent equipment.  After you select the machine that fits your purposes, prepare a solution of neutral cleaner (see WET/DAMP MOPPING INSTRUCTIONS).

• However instead of wringing the mop, WET mop a section of the floor, and return the mop to the bucket.
   

• Scrub this area with the machine working back and forth until the section is clean.
   

• The machine should have soft nylon brushes or white pads.
   

• Pick up any remaining solution from the floor with a wet vacuum or mop it with a string mop.
   

• DO NOT use the same clean water mop-have a second mop and bucket.

After the floor has been scrubbed, you may have to mop the surface again to remove any film or puddles.

REMOVING OLD WAX FROM YOUR MARBLE FLOOR:

• First determine what type of coating you have-natural or synthetic waxes, acrylic, thermoplastic,polyurethane-and then you can choose the appropriate chemical for removing it.
   

• If you know what's on the floor contact the product's manufacturer or installer for removal procedures.
   

• If you don't know what's on the floor perform this test: mix one cup of household ammonia in one gallon of warm water, pour a small amount on the floor and agitate with a soft scrub brush. Dry with a rag or wet vac the area. If this solution removed the coating, you will need to get a commercial wax stripper.
   

• Ask your local janitorial supply house for an alkaline acrylic finish stripper.

Procedure:

• You should have a janitorial floor-buffing machine and a wet vacuum.
   

• Remove all furniture and protect painted surfaces (baseboards) with plastic.
   

• Mix the stripper solution in a separate bucket, following the label instructions.
   

• Apply the mixed solution with a string mop to a small area.

 Do not apply more than you can scrub at one time.

• Let the stripper sit for several minutes.
   

• If the stripper begins to dry add more solution to keep it wet.
   

• Scrub the floor using a 175-rpm standard buffing machine equipped with a black stripping pad or stripping brush.
   

• Continue until the coating breaks up.

NOTE:
The stripping pads and brushes may scratch some soft marble, it is important to test a small area before taking on the whole floor. If the test area does scratch, ask for softer pad or brush. Pick up the solution with a wet vacuum and rinse immediately. Use a clean mop, water and wringer for rinse water.

Examine the area, re-stripping any coating that may be left. It is important to rinse the floor thoroughly as most alkaline strippers will leave a film. Adding neutral cleaner or stone soap to the rinse water will help neutralize the stripper. Follow the instructions for any new coating or sealer that's going to be re-applied. The floor must be thoroughly dry before a new sealer can be laid down.

If the solution did NOT remove the coating, you probably have a finish that is urethane-or epoxy-based. It will take a very strong solvent to remove the coating. Call a professional.

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