Marble is a popular material for many home furnishings and decorative accents. You usually find marble included in kitchen and bathroom designs where it can add luxury and beauty to the space. If you’re thinking about using marble in your bathroom renovation, there are some important things to consider. Here’s everything you need to know about using marble in your bathroom and other high-moisture areas:
Marble may seem like a perfectly hard surface, but it is a very porous material. This means that it absorbs moisture of all kinds, whether it’s steam from your shower, splashes from the sink or even a spilled cup of tea. This makes timing crucial in cleaning up marble stains, as you want to remove the extra moisture before the marble has time to absorb it.
If you’re considering using marble in your bathroom or other high-moisture areas, your primary concern will be marble “rust” from regular water exposure. Rust stains are likely to appear around faucets or within sink basins. You might also find rust around fixtures in the shower that don’t dry out as quickly as the rest of the surface.
Luckily, you don’t always need a professional to help clean up marble rust. You can remove most water stains with a combination of household ingredients mixed into a DIY cleaning poultice. Depending on the severity of the stain, the ingredients may vary—however, the most common combination includes baking soda, water and sometimes small amounts of hydrogen peroxide. Avoid using harsh cleaning ingredients like bleach or lemon juice, as they will just cause more damage to the marble.
It’s easy to avoid marble rust in the first place with proper sealing and regular care. You have plenty of choices of marble sealer on the market. No matter which type you choose, it’s best to re-apply it every few months. To help protect the marble in your shower or sink, wipe away extra moisture after each use with a towel or squeegee.
Marble can make a beautiful addition to any room including bathrooms and kitchens. However, because it’s such a porous material, expect some marble rust from water exposure in high-moisture areas. Keep these factors in mind if you’re considering marble in your next renovation.
Eileen is a Licensed Real Estate Salesperson and has been in the industry since 2004. Her experience in home sales range from a $4,000,000 single family home to a $100,000 Co-op. She covers both Westchester and Putnam County and works with both buyers and sellers. "My love for Westchester and particularly the Hudson River Valley is one of the many reasons why I enjoy working in real estate". She is a lifelong resident of Westchester County. She grew up in Tarrytown and moved to Briarcliff Manor where she raised her family. She received her MPA from Pace University and worked many years in the Human Resources field. She held the title of Vice President of HR for the largest teaching hospital in Westchester and Director of Classification and Compensation for one of the largest employers in Westchester County. After a successful HR career, Eileen decided to retire to make a full time commitment to her real estate clients. Outside of work you can find Eileen on the Tennis, Platform, or Pickleball Court along with Hiking in Westchester or the surrounding counties.