What Product Should Be Used to Clean Cultured Marble?
Cultured marble is generally durable, but improper cleaning products may damage its surface. Abrasives and strong acids may damage its protective gel coat and scratch its surface.
Use of non-abrasive pH neutral cleaners should help to keep showers and tubs free from soap scum accumulation, mold spores and stains. Regular applications of car wax or countertop polish like Gel-Gloss should help to preserve shine while conditioning resin coating.
Soap & Water
Utilizing the appropriate products when cleaning cultured marble is key to maintaining its beauty and prolonging its lifespan. Common bathroom fixtures made of this material, including shower bases, sinks, and tubs must be kept looking their best and will stand up longer with proper maintenance products to protect from build up and staining caused by hard water, soap scum build-up, mineral deposits from shampoo/conditioner/other beauty products etc. Having these items looking their best and lasting longer is the result.
Cultured marble surfaces should be regularly washed with mild soaps or all-purpose cleaners that do not contain harsh chemicals and abrasives to avoid build up of residue and chemical scuffing. Abrasives in such cleaners will wear down its resin coating, leading to dulling or chemical scuffs which need removing with soft cloth and white vinegar solution without harming the surface.
Hydrogen peroxide offers another solution to stubborn stains on marble surfaces: this safe and effective cleaner can be applied using a damp cloth, then left for about half an hour to soak into its pores before being rinsed away and the area dried with another clean towel.
Wax polish can also help revive the luster of cultured marble surfaces, not only making them appear better but also decreasing future scratches and scuff marks. Be sure to test any cleaners on an inconspicuous part of the marble to ensure they won’t damage or scratch its surface.
Vinegar
Although many websites suggest using vinegar as a solution to hard water buildup and other deposits from cultured marble surfaces, this is not recommended as it may damage its resin coating and cause lasting damage. Because vinegar is acidic, it may etch or discolor marble surfaces over time and leave a soap scum film that makes cleaning difficult and makes cultured marble appear dull and difficult to keep clean. Instead, Puracy or another pH neutral hard surface cleaner (made specifically for real marble surfaces) would make more effective daily cleaners of cultured marble surfaces than vinegar would.
Cultured marble surfaces often suffer from soap scum accumulation on shower walls and tubs. A squeegee should be used after each shower to clear away this buildup of soap scum before it accumulates again, or you could try using non-abrasive bathroom cleaners without chlorine or phosphates (such as spray bottles). For stubborn stains use non-abrasive sponges or brushes instead.
If your scum and stains are the result of mineral deposits, try applying a solution of one part white vinegar and two parts water with a soft cloth to apply to the spots where mineral buildup has caused the issues. Let this solution sit for approximately 30 minutes before wiping off with clean water afterward and wiping dry – repeat as necessary until any stubborn buildup or stains have been cleared away completely.
Cultured marble may not be as heat-resistant as solid marble, but it remains an attractive and durable product with proper care that will outlive solid marble by years. Routine cleanings will prevent soap scum, stains and deposits from building up on its surfaces in your vanity, sink, shower or tub; special stain removal products can remove ink stains as well as hair dye, shoe polish iodine rust bleach and drain cleaner stains such as ink. Also waxing regularly will help prevent scratches in its resin coating as well.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Cultured marble requires only basic cleaning with a soft sponge or cloth and non-abrasive cleaner to give years of trouble free service. Most cultured marble products can handle mild acidic or alkaline cleaners like soap and water or commercial bathroom cleaning products such as Fantastic, Formula 409, or Tilex found in most stores’ household cleaning sections; in addition, some manufacturers recommend the addition of paste wax as another protective measure to preserve and add luster to countertop surfaces.
Some cultured marble stains may require stronger cleaners to effectively address, with the primary concern being not harming the resin coating used to produce countertops or shower bases. Harsh cleaners can damage this seal and cause the cultured marble to look dull or have chemical scuff marks; scratched or etched stone makes dirt easier to accumulate, and harder for it to look clean again.
If the cultured marble requires cleaning with more powerful cleaners such as acetone or turpentine, conduct a test in an inconspicuous area first to make sure that they won’t damage its resin coating. Once any stains have been eliminated from its surface, rinse well and mop dry using a clean cloth before mopping dry with another clean cloth.
Stains on cultured marble can be caused by hair dyes, ink, nail polish, shoe polish, some foods and beverages, colored waxes, oils and other sources. If left to sit too long, they can permanently discolor the stone; regular and proper cleaning will help avoid hard water stains, soap scum build-up and other contaminants from building up on its surface.
Paint Thinner
Cultured marble often comes coated with a gel layer for extra protection, making it less delicate than its uncoated counterpart. Mild cleaners and water, or non-abrasive rags can be used for cleaning cultured marble; bleach-based cleaners should be avoided since these may cause scratches to the resin coating and leave dull spots and hazy finishes behind. As a general guideline, soft sponge or rag with soap solution should be used, then rinsed off in clean water afterwards.
If there is grease or oil buildup on the surface of your cultured marble, paint thinner may be needed to treat it. Before proceeding with larger tests using harsh solvents such as paint thinner, it’s essential that any inconspicuous areas be examined as part of any experiment before undertaking larger trials. Paint thinner is effective at making repairs and removing stains but could damage resin layers leaving dull spots; in any event it should always be tested first on an inconspicuous area to test before undertaking large scale trials.
Cultured marble surfaces may become stained from minerals in the water that deposit on its surface, creating water stains on cultured marble showers and bathtubs that can be difficult to eliminate. White vinegar may help break down these stains but should always be followed up by a rinse of fresh water afterward; other stain removers, including nail polish remover (which contains acetone), or other stain removal methods such as fingernail polish remover (which contains acetone), or steel wool pads can scratch up its surface; therefore only white vinegar should be used.
GelGloss can help keep cultured marble looking its best by regularly applying gloss-enhancing products like it. This product can be found at most home improvement centers and works similarly to car wax in terms of maintaining shine.
Denatured Alcohol
Cultured marble requires only regular maintenance with soft rag or sponge and mild soap to look its best. Aim to avoid using any cleaners with harsh abrasiveness on marble countertops as this will wear away at its resin coating over time, leaving it discolored or “fuzzy.” Also be wary when choosing cleaners with strong acids as these may leave unwanted scratches on its surface.
Hard stains like hair color or paint thinner can require using stronger cleaning solutions on cultured marble surfaces. To minimize staining, it is best to clean up spills of these chemicals as soon as they occur and try not to let them sit there too long before cleaning with either turpentine or denatured alcohol. Please always test small patches of surface with these solutions first to ensure that they will not harm it!
Before using strong cleaners like rubbing alcohol or bleach, it’s a good idea to ensure the room where you are working is adequately ventilated. Rubbing alcohol evaporates rapidly and may emit potentially hazardous fumes that should not be inhaled in either your home or workplace.
Regular cleaning will help to alleviate issues like hard water deposits, soap film buildup, mold and mildew growth, water spots and mold accumulation. Be sure to dry off your cultured marble sink, tub or shower after each use to reduce how much water remains behind. Apply a polish or wax to marble surfaces once every few months in order to preserve their luster while guarding against scratches or etchings.
