How to Clean Marble, Quarry tile, & Non-Wax Vinyl Tile Floors
October 26th, 2006 (Cleaning)
Cleaning Marble Floor
A coating of hard wax helps protect marble from absorption of dirt, makes cleanup easier. Wash by mopping with hot water and a detergent with ammonia. Heel scuffs usually respond to rubbing with a felt pad and powder cleanser; try a nonabrasive type first, resort to a stronger cleanser with scouring pad if necessary. Rub in a straight line only, with the grain of the marble if that is visible, but in any event, avoid circular motion that will leave marks.
Chewing gum can be removed with very fine steel wool after scraping with a broad knife. Don’t use a sharp pen or paring knife that can leave scratches. Floors showing discoloration or varied spots that do not wash off can be restored to bright freshness with an electric floor scrubber used with fiber or felt pads and special detergent. These machines can be rented by the day at local hardware stores.
Cleaning Quarry Tile
Occasional mopping with a diluted solution of soapless detergent will keep the unglazed ceramic tiles in like-new condition. For heavy cleaning, scrub thoroughly with an all-purpose cleaner or powder such as Mr. Clean, covering stubborn soil spots with a paste of moistened scouring powder; allow to stand for 5 minutes or so, then scrub with brush or scouring pad.
Cleaning Non-Wax Vinyl Tile
Perfect cleanliness is the secret for keeping the lovely gloss of vinyl for years without waxing or buffing. Dirt, food spills, heel marks can be wiped easily off the slick surface; routine washing will keep the surface immaculate. Use a general-purpose detergent with a cellulose sponge to loosen and flush off dirt. Rinse thoroughly with fresh warm water - rinsing is an important step to avoid leaving a film that will hold tracked-in dirt. Do not use any abrasive cleaners.
Between moppings, sweep or vacuum the floor regularly to prevent dirt buildup. Take whatever steps are necessary to prevent abrasion, place a doormat at each entryway, use glides or plastic cups under furniture legs, install casters. The tile may gradually lose some of its gloss over a period of time, depending on the extent of the traffic in your home, or the amount of abrasion from sand or other means. The glow can be restored by applying a special coating. The floor must be absolutely clean so that dirt cannot be trapped under the new coating.