How and with what to wash cast marble?

To care for cast marble products at home, use industrial marble products. But housewives successfully cope with some types of pollution using “folk” methods.

Properties of cast marble

Artificial marble is made by mixing synthetic resins, mineral and artificial fillers. After hardening, the finished product is covered with a layer of gelcoat, and it acquires the properties of natural marble: hardness and beauty, with a characteristic shine.
The production technology allows us to obtain a material that is superior to natural marble in many respects and has special properties:

• high strength - in artificial marble there are no voids or internal cavities, which are filled with resin during the pouring process, and this allows the strength of acrylic products to be several times higher;
• long-term preservation of appearance - the coloring pigments used in production do not lose their properties under the influence of ultraviolet radiation;
• environmental safety - after hardening, marble surfaces become chemically neutral to the effects of aggressive substances (unlike natural marble, which is dissolved by acids);
• practicality - artificial marble is easy to clean from any contaminants, the products are pleasant to the touch, bathtubs made of cast marble retain heat for a long time.

Ensuring the preservation of the properties of products made from cast marble depends on strict adherence to the rules of care for the products.

Important!

Natural marble almost always has its own background radiation. A long stay in a room with “radiation” negatively affects health and causes diseases, and this is another argument in favor of an artificial analogue.

The following are made from cast marble:

• sinks;
• baths;
• window sills;
• countertops for tables and bar counters.

All these products become dirty during their intended use and require care in the form of cleaning and washing.

What can't you clean?

To fill the pores on the surface of marble and give a decorative appearance, the product is coated with a thin layer (from 1 to 5 mm) of epoxy resin - gelcoat. The material prevents mechanical and chemical damage to the finished product, does not allow odors and dirt particles that cause mold to be absorbed. At the same time, the thin coating is susceptible to damage from impacts from hard and sharp objects.

Important!

Damage to the gelcoat leads to loss of material properties - the defects must be repaired as soon as possible.

Gelcoat is a coating resistant to chemical and mechanical stress, but some cleaning methods are not applicable to it.

• Metal and hard plastic brushes scratch the surface - it loses its shine and gloss.
• Do not wash marble with cleaning products containing abrasive particles - this will make the surface matte. Restoring the appearance will require polishing using special compounds and tools.
• Cleaning the surface with aggressive detergents (acids or alkalis), which can dissolve the coating, is also contraindicated.

Advice

Do not mix different chemicals - this can lead to a chemical reaction, which results in the formation of a mixture with properties that are aggressive to cast marble.

Cleaning tool

To properly and effectively clean and add shine to cast marble products, you will need:

• rubber gloves to protect hands;
• sprayer with water;
• soft, clean rags or napkins;
• universal or, depending on the type of contamination, special cleaning agents without abrasive particles;
• technical (pure) gasoline or denatured alcohol, white spirit.
• car wax to add shine.

Cleaning products for various stains

Depending on the type of contamination, various means are used to clean marble.

Advice

If you have doubts about the solvent used, consult the manufacturer’s website about the admissibility of its use or refuse to use it.

The following companies produce special products for cast marble:

• Vega;
• Akemi;
• MELLERUD;

Grease stains

Common stains left by dirty dishes or food debris can be washed off with a soft rag or sponge moistened with dishwashing detergent or regular soap. Then the surface of the product is washed with running water. After removing dirt, it is recommended to wipe the marble with a soft, dry cloth to remove stains and give the product shine.

Limescale

Limescale appears as white and yellowish spots on the surface of marble; its appearance is associated with the chemical composition of the water. Easy to clean using special or “old-fashioned” methods:

• cleaning products that are sold in any store and do not contain abrasives;
• food grade 9% vinegar applied to the surface for 2-3 minutes;
• lemon juice, which is applied with a soft cloth and washed after 1-2 minutes (this method, in addition to lime deposits, will eliminate unpleasant odors);
• mustard powder dissolved in water to form a paste (the composition will clean and disinfect the surface);
• ammonia diluted with water;
• the popular drink Coca-Cola, containing phosphoric acid.

Important!

Apply the compositions for no more than 2-3 minutes. After cleaning, the products are washed with plenty of clean water.

Rust stains

Brown-red deposits occur due to water leaking from taps containing an increased amount of iron.

You can clean rust:

• special chemicals;
• self-prepared solution.

The first option is the simplest, but the second won’t cause much trouble. 100 g of ammonia is poured into a glass jar, and 50 g of hydrogen peroxide is gradually and carefully added to it. Composition heated to 35-40 ^OC, apply to the rust with a soft cloth and after 10-15 minutes wash off with clean water.

Dye

Oil, latex or acrylic paint that accidentally gets onto the surface of the product (for example, during repairs) can be removed using sunflower oil. There is no need to use solvents. After removing the contamination, the product is washed with soapy water.

Cleaning instructions

Work on cleaning cast marble from any contaminants is carried out according to the following algorithm.

1. Moisten the surface of the product by wetting it with a sponge or spraying water from a spray bottle.It is important that the surface remains damp throughout cleaning - this will protect the marble from scratches.
2. Apply liquid marble cleaner or foam to the surface. To do this, use a soft rag or sponge.
3. After 1-2 minutes, wash off the dirt with clean water and wipe the surface with a dry cloth.
4. Remove complex stains using the special methods described above, or by using household chemicals from the store.
5. Use wax once a week to add shine to the surface. Wax compositions are used following the instructions for use.

Special products for cast marble

Conventional kitchen cleaning products may contain acids or chlorine. The use of such drugs can seriously harm cast marble products. Therefore, special liquids are produced for cleaning and treating marble surfaces.

• MELLERUD, Germany.

Bottle volume – 1000 ml. To prepare the solution, 5-8 caps of the product (50-60 ml) are dissolved in 8-10 liters of warm water. The composition includes polishing additives.

To restore the shine lost after long use, the company produces a polish.

• VEGA, Italy.

The composition includes components for disinfection, elimination of fungus and mold.

• Akemi, Germany.

The company's product line contains products for all types of products - hard, soft stone, granite, natural and cast stone. The products are packaged in containers from 50 ml to 5 l.

• HG, Germany.

The company produces surface care products made from any materials. Package capacity – from 300 ml to 5 l.

So, following simple rules for cleaning cast marble products will preserve their attractive appearance and consumer properties for a long time.It is worth remembering that such materials require regular maintenance.