Composite marble or artificial marble offers the feel and look of real marble surfaces without any hassle or extra cost. Composite or cultured marble is made out of crushed marble, particles, pigments, and resin. It is designed to stand up to the wear & tear of daily use. If you wish your composite marble countertops to appear brand-new and durable throughout, you can make use of important cleaning & maintenance tips. Let us help you with the same!

With proper care and maintenance, engineered marble can last for up to 20 years. However, the overall lifespan of these surfaces will depend on your level of care and upkeep. The marble shower linings or countertops need periodic care -just like other elements in your house. However, using incorrect cleaning methods or products can ultimately harm the artificial material.

Taking Care of Composite Marble Surfaces in Your Home

Caring for composite marble surfaces will involve much more than mere cleaning. What if the finish gets scratched? What about marks that are left behind due to evaporating water? As you learn how to respond to any potential issue efficiently, it will serve as an important step in extending the lifespan of the fixtures.

General Cleaning

Bathroom marble countertops will not require regular cleaning in most cases. Still, you can think of wiping them down at least once a week. You can make use of a soft, damp sponge or rag for wiping the counters with the help of a mild soap. In this case, dish soap is an excellent choice.

While it is highly tempting to put into dedicated efforts to get your bathroom cleaned professionally, most of the supplies in the cleaning kit might be too harsh for composite marble. Abrasive cleaners like soft scrub, acidic chemicals like white vinegar, or any item featuring bleach, can end up damaging the finish. When you repeatedly make use of chemicals, it will make the shine of countertops fade or even develop pits as the finish will get dissolved. You should aim at keeping harsh cleaners away from composite marble.

Handling Scratches

Careful homeowners are not expected to store anything on composite marble online countertops that could eventually end up scratching the surface. However, scratches are bound to occur inevitably from time to time. Minor scratches tend to be an easy fix. You can think of buying a glossy material or using a soft brush to get rid of the scratches until it becomes smooth again.

Ensure that the entire surface is spread with gel gloss annually to fill out all the scratches that you might have missed out.

Removing Stains

If a spill takes place with some potentially staining element on composite marble, you should get the same cleaned properly from allowing the element to seep in. However, there are some colors that might be still left behind. Based on your preferences and what you have in possession, you might be capable of removing the stain. You can make use of anything from paint thinner to hydrogen peroxide.

However, you should know that the stronger cleaning substances might damage the countertop as they attack the stain. You can also go ahead with testing a small amount on some discreet part of the marble countertop firstly to ensure that it is safe to use.

Keeping the Bathroom Sparkling Clean

A bathroom that is decorated with vibrant composite or quartz marble feels bright and complete. Now, you can imagine the same with buffed and freshly cleaned composite marble. You will be presenting yourself a relaxed bathroom to last for several years to come.

Do’s and Don’ts for Cleaning Composite Marble

To ensure that your composite marble is in its best condition, you should use the right cleaners. Moreover, you should also avoid using damaging products. Make it a point to develop good cleaning habits.

Composite or artificial marble is durable. However, quality might vary. In most cases, it can be damaged by several brand-name and common household cleaners.

For home-based cleaning, some important points to keep in mind are:

• Make use of a pH-neutral hard or harsh surface cleaner for day-to-day cleaning. A top-quality marble surface cleaner made for original marble is also a safer and excellent cleaning agent for cultured marble. 

• Do not use soap as the general cleaner. When you use the same regularly, even detergent or mild soap can end up creating a film of soap scum on the surface. The film appears dingy and dull while making the surface even harder to clean with time. Moreover, it also becomes harder to remove without potentially damaging the overall finish. It can be the same issue as observed in showers. 

• Apply a gel-based glossy polish for composite marble on a regular basis for maintaining the all-new shine, conditioning the coating, buffing out surface scratches, and making the surface easie to clean. 

• Do not make use of abrasive cleaners, steel wool, abrasive pads, sandpaper, or scrapers for cleaning artificial marble. 

• Avoid contact of marble surfaces with elements like citrus cleaners, acidic cleaners, strong caustic cleaners, paint removers, harsh chemicals, acetone, bleach, vinegar, ammonia, and drain cleaners. 

• Avoid using hair dyes or any other dye around the surface of artificial marble. Dyes will eventually lead to staining in the long run. 

• Avoid higher temperatures for water -around 140 degrees F or more. When repeated exposure to hot water takes place, it could eventually lead to cracks. It will commonly take place around sink drains. The normal temperature range for water heater should be around 125-145 Degree F. 

• Hot objects will lead to burning, scorching, or even melting the surface. You should not think of placing hot pans, hair-styling tools, cooking appliances, or other heated items on the marble surface. Or, you will have to consider refinishing the surface. 

Conclusion

Composite or cultured marble is a human-made material that is commonly used for kitchen countertops, bathtubs, bathroom vanity tops, and shower areas. It should not be regarded same as marble countertops. Take good care of the material to ensure its long life.