how to clean a marble fireplace

How To Clean a Marble Fireplace

Marble fireplaces are stunning focal points in a room, with hundreds of options to choose from. Marble is absorbent and requires more maintenance. Regular cleaning and occasional deep cleaning is crucial to avoid discoloration from dust and debris buildup.
If you would rather consult with a stone restoration professional, feel free to give us a call and we will be more than happy to assist you.

What is marble?

The term marble is often used to refer to any hard, calcite rock that can be cut or polished. Marble is a type of rock that can be carved or polished to make the interior design even more luxurious.

 Marble has been valued since antiquity for its sculptural qualities and usage in architectural structures like columns, flooring, ceilings, and furniture.

Marble is a type of rock that comes in many colors and patterns. Some marble stone rocks, such as Carrara marble, are prized for their beauty because they can be cut or polished into intricate designs to create beautiful structures like sculptures. 

Marble also has been used by builders since antiquity for buildings with great architectural detail and purposeful design features.

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Best Maintenance Products For Stone Surfaces

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    LITHOFIN STAIN STOP

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    FINE WIRE WOOL

    Fine Wire Wool. This product helps remove surface grime without damaging the stone.
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    This electric mop comes with 4 reusable microfiber pads. Perfect for stone floors.
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    Glean Quartz and Granite Cleaner

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Advice on how to clean a marble fireplace surround

Marble is an amazing material that’s strong and very heat resistant (perfect for marble fireplaces), but with this type of beauty comes some potential frustrations, like stains! Marble can be a very porous substance which is what makes it stain so easily.

If the stain has been left on the surface for a long time the stain will probably have penetrated deep into the marble, in this case, you will need a marble expert to come and have a look at the stains.
However, if the stain is recent, there are techniques for cleaning a marble fireplace, there is no need for a specialist cleaning product, our advice is to use a damp microfiber cloth to remove any excess residue on the surface, always making sure you dry the surface once it’s been wiped. 

You can also use very fine wire wool to buff away any water spots or light etching.
David Smith Segarra
"We are a London-based family business with over 35 years experience, and passionate about natural stone. We specialise in marble restoration, providing personalised attention to detail for every customer. Based in Canary Wharf, covering all of Greater London. You can trust us for all your marble needs!"

DAVID SMITH

Marble Restoration Specialist
London, Canary Wharf
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How to remove smoke burn marks from a marble fireplace?

If your marble fireplace has visible burn marks, it’s usually best for a marble specialist to come and have a look first.

There are some home remedies that you can do, like mixing ammonia and warm water and letting the solution lie on the burn marks for 5 minutes, then scrub the ammonia mix into the burn mark until the burn mark is removed.

You can also make a paste from baking soda and water and let it sit on the burn mark for a few hours (3 minimum) and then wipe it away with a clean damp cloth.
Our professional opinion
However, in our experience, if the marble fireplace surround has burn marks that have penetrated deep within the marble, then you won’t be able to remove these brown stains from your marble fireplace surround.

You can try and use different poultice and cleaning solutions, in addition to things like hydrogen peroxide, however, it is unlikely that these cleaning products will be able to remove a stain that has penetrated so deep. For more information and cleaning tips, feel free to give us a call or drop us an email.

Maintenance Tips For Natural Stone Surfaces

Marble Cleaning Tips
Reasons to Trust Marble Renovation
Marble Cleaning Tips
Reasons to trust marble renovation

How to remove red wine stains and magic markers from a fireplace?

You should try a poultice to remove the red wine stains and those fine rings they tend to leave behind. It will not work immediately, but it will eventually go away if you keep applying it.

The same applies to magic markers and their ink marks: make a paste of baking soda and water, apply the poultice on the stain (the poultice may need to stay there at least three hours), then wipe the poultice clean with a damp cloth or sponge.

This solution has been proven to be quite effective when removing these types of stains from marble surfaces – so give it a shot!
Additionally, don’t forget about proper maintenance. While this is an important step in prolonging your fireplace’s life span, some people are too busy and lack time due to their hectic schedule.

However, taking good care of your fireplace surround is important in safeguarding your investment. Keeping the hearth clean will help to prevent it from turning black and ugly, which is a sign of neglect!

Can heat crack a marble fireplace?

If your marble fireplace starts to crack, this will not be due to the heat of the fire, but more likely due to the installation of the marble fireplace or the surface around the fireplace is moving.

Marble can certainly be fragile under some circumstances but there is no way it should be cracking due to heat exposure. Marble is specifically used for fireplaces because it is heat resistant.
The best way to clean dirt from a marble fireplace is by gently brushing it with light strokes using an old toothbrush. If there are any hard-to reach areas, you can use the handle of your brush instead (this will get into more difficult places).

It also helps if avoid harsh chemicals and abrasive materials while cleaning the dirt because they could damage or scratch out those precious details in these marble fireplaces.

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  • "Builders trashed my marble hallway and David brought them back to their original glory. He truly cared about doing a great job; highly recommended."
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Marble Cleaning & Polishing Services in London

We are a family-run business based in Canary Wharf, London, offering professional marble restoration services in the greater London area. With years of experience, our skilled team is dedicated to restoring the beauty and elegance of your marble surfaces to their original glory. Whether your marble surfaces are dull, stained, scratched, or damaged, we can provide a tailored restoration solution to meet your specific needs. Our services include cleaning, polishing, honing, repairing cracks and chips, and sealing to protect against future damage. 
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If you would rather consult with a stone restoration professional, feel free to give us a call and we will be more than happy to assist you.

How to remove scratches from a marble fireplace?

If the scratches are deep, you will need to call a marble professional, as they will need to sand back the surface with diamond abrasives until the scratch has been fully removed. 

However, if it’s just a surface scratch you can usually remove them with some soap and warm water, and some polish.
-Take a microfiber towel and wipe the scratch out.
-Use a good quality stone polish or cream, you can find them at your local hardware store. Rub it into the scratch using circular motions until it is gone (or to prevent any further scratches).

And that’s how to clean and remove scratches from marble fireplaces!

How to remove etching marks and rust stains

Cleaning and maintaining your marble fireplace is a simple process that can help keep it looking its best. To start, you'll want to wet a rag with warm, soapy water and use it to clean the surface of your marble fireplace surround. Be sure to remove any dust or debris before you begin cleaning.

After cleaning, it's important to dry buff the area with a microfiber cloth to remove any excess water. This step is crucial, as leaving water on the surface of your marble fireplace can cause discoloration or water spots.

If you have some fine wire wool, you can also use it to buff the area gently. This can help to remove any light scratches or scuffs that may have appeared on the surface of your marble fireplace.
To finish, you can use some marble polish to buff the area and restore its natural shine. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions when using marble polish, and use it sparingly to avoid buildup.

If you notice any streaks or marks on the surface of your marble fireplace after polishing, don't worry. You can simply buff them away with some fine wire wool. With regular cleaning and maintenance, your marble fireplace will continue to be a stunning and elegant addition to your home for years to come.

How Does Smoke Impact Your Marble Surround?

When the fire dies down, particles of smoke that were not completely burned settle on surfaces and leave a film. These droplets include small pieces from wood tars in addition to remnants of fuel that didn’t burn during combustion.

It is these droplets as well as cool particles settling after rapid cooling when your fireplace goes out which create those unsightly soot marks you see around marble mantles or even other stone materials used for design elements such as granite countertops throughout homes across America-even if they are situated outside by an outdoor gas grill!
The smoke coming off fires can be classified into two categories: driven versus natural. Driven smoke originates from heat energy/pressure but it has lost its momentum and settled onto rather than rising.

 Natural smoke is created from the fire itself, and it has not yet risen above its source in a plume of heat.

The sooner you clean the fireplace, the less smoke that you will have to deal with. The natural residue from a gas fire would be much easier to clean than any other type of fireplace for many reasons. 

For one, it doesn’t exist as droplets on the surface like wood or coal do and can be wiped off without additional effort.
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Final Thoughts on How to Clean a Marble Fireplace

In conclusion, smoke, soot and ash are problems for marble. The key to cleaning a fireplace is prevention:
To prevent the accumulation of ashes or coals in your firebox while you enjoy fireside gatherings with family; as long as you look after your marble fireplace surround, and clean it regularly you shouldn’t have to worry too much about the marble staining too much.

To prevent the accumulation of soot, it is best to clean your fireplace and surrounds after every fire. If you don’t have time for a thorough cleaning at least give it a quick buff to remove the soot and dust.

To prevent the accumulation of ash, make sure to clean your fireplace after every fire. The best way is with a soft brush and plenty warm water and remove any surface dust – you can use mild soap if it’s particularly dirty or smoky; just don’t let any soapy residue remain on marble as this will damage its surface over time.
Use these products to keep your marble fireplace clean:

Lithofin Easy Clean – For easy maintenance and to clean away any grime.

Lithofin Easy Clean – This product will seal the pores in your natural stone and prevent water damage. You can use this once a month with a dry cloth.

Fine Steel Wool – This product is excellent for removing any residue that is on your surfaces, like limescale. Only use the “Fine” steel wool, any other grade will be too abrasive and could scratch your stone.
Whether you are looking to clean or restore your marble flooring, a good marble cleaner can help you get the job done quickly and effectively.

At Marble Renovation, our team of professional marble cleaners offers a wide range of services, including marble polishing, marble cleaning, and all type of marble restoration. 

We are committed to providing top-quality service at an affordable price, so contact us today to learn more about how we can help you keep your marble surfaces looking beautiful!

Further Reading: Marble Cleaning and Polishing Tips and Tricks

Discover the latest tips and tricks for marble cleaning and polishing, as well as other stone surfaces, by checking out the posts below. Our expert advice will help you maintain the beauty and durability of your stone surfaces for years to come. Whether you need to remove stains, prevent damage, or protect your surfaces from wear and tear, we have got you covered. Browse our posts now and discover practical solutions for all your marble cleaning and polishing needs, and more.

Marble Renovation

Marble Renovation is a family-owned business situated in Canary Wharf, London, with more than 35 years of expertise in stone restoration.
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