Marble is one of the most popular choices for kitchen countertops and bathroom vanities, but it can also be used in other areas like fireplaces. Because marble is a very porous material, it needs to be cleaned and maintained. But can you use lemon on marble?
Lemon juice or lemon oil doesn’t work well on marble because it is acidic and will leave an etched film on the surface of the marble. The good news is lemon does not contain any coloring that could stain the marble or natural stone surface so it is easy to remove the etch mark with an etch stain remover and the marble should be as good as new.
For more details, keep reading this article.
Marble is a metamorphic rock composed of recrystallized carbonate deposits. Marble is a porous material, meaning it is not the best surface to use with lemon juice or oil.
Marble is porous, meaning it will absorb any liquids that are spilled on its surface and should be cleaned up immediately before they have a chance to soak in deep. The surface of the marble is usually treated with sealant to protect it from acids and other substances that can damage the stone.
1. Lemon Juice Or Lemon Oils Will Etch The Marble Surface
One of the first reasons why using lemon juice or lemon oils on the surface of marble or most other natural stone surfaces is because lemon contains high amounts of acids.
When those acids come into contact with marble or any other natural stone surface, they could cause the marble surface to etch taking away the marble’s new look.
You might be asking what is an etch mark? Well, an etch mark is from contact with acidic foods and drinks like lemon juice. This causes the surface of marble and other natural stone surfaces to corrode.
The acid damages the marble by eating away or roughening it quite a bit. Etch marks usually looks just like a chemical burn.
Etches can also be caused by harsh cleaners, which are in most common household brands too. Etched spots will always have this lighter hue than regular marble and be less shiny-looking.
You do not want to use lemon juice not for anything as far as marble and other natural surfaces are concerned. So as soon as you spill lemon juice or oil on your marble or granite surface, it’s best to grab some newspaper or paper towels and wipe the spill as soon as you can.
Without waiting, use soap and warm water (or mild detergent) to clean off any remaining residue that is left behind.
You’ll want to make sure your hands are clean and dry so you don’t transfer the lemon oil or juice back to the marble surface or other parts without the “stain”.
2. Lemon Can Damage The Sealant On The Marble Surface
Most marble and natural stone surfaces are finished with sealants to protect them from staining and damage. The sealant is a thin layer of material that will help the surface from getting stained or scratched easily.
Though lemon oil can sometimes be used to remove certain stains on marble surfaces, it also has an ability to eat away at the sealants – making them wear down over time. So they’re less effective in protecting your marble’s surface!
The small number of natural oils and acids found in lemons are enough to strip away some of these important layers which could cause permanent scratching on the finish over time- ultimately leading you into costly refinishing projects for restoring lost luster.
This not only ruins the original look but also lowers its resale value too since people won’t be as interested in purchasing something with scratches all around it.
More on this later! While this may not be an issue for other materials, this is what will happen if you use lemon on marble surfaces.
3. Lemon Can Erode The Porosity Of The Marble Surface
Natural stones are porous for certain peculiar reasons such as their crystallization process. That’s why you will see some pores on the surface, which is part of what leads to its natural beauty and charm.
But this beauty and charm are not just pure aesthetics. It very functions as the pores on natural stones like marble allows the marble to breathe. This allows the marble to dry properly when it needs to and helps to maintain its durability over the years.
Lemon oil has a tendency to dissolve substances with high porosity- which is exactly how it interacts with marble surfaces too! Lemon oil is not just any other substance out there.
It has a corrosive property that can erode the porosity of the marble surface, which will lead to scratches and stains on the surface over time.
This makes them lose their luster over time as they are more prone to etching or scratching from things like hard water spots that can’t be scraped off easily.
As such, it’s best to avoid using lemon oil if your marble surfaces are porous or sensitive as this might compromise its integrity over time.
4. Lemon Can Make Marble Surfaces Very Sticky
Not only does lemon affects the look of the marble or natural stone surface but it also affects how the marble surface feels.
Lemon can make marble and natural stone surfaces very sticky which can lead to dirt and grime piling up on the surface over time.
This can be such a buzz kill as the sticky feel will cause a lot of dirt and grime to accumulate on the surface.
The good news is that it’s an easy fix, you just need some mild dish soap and warm water which should dissolve any stickiness left behind on your marble surfaces.
You can also try using rubbing alcohol as this too will help to remove the sticky feel from citrus oil over time.
One more thing; never use bleach around natural stone surfaces because there is a risk for damaging the material if you do so! And don’t forget about these tips when you’re dealing with other types of flooring such as porcelain tile either!
It doesn`t matter what type of room or area in your home has marble floors, it needs special care to maintain, and using lemon is simply not the best way to go about it.
5. Lemon Juice Can Leave Behind An Unpleasant Odor
Lemon juice or lemon oil also leaves behind an odor that may be unpleasant for some people who might have allergies to lemon or citrus scents in general.
Lemon is not recommended for use with marble as it has a tendency to create an etch stain on the surface of your marble but also some people’s problem will be the smell it also leaves behind. The odor usually seems like an after odor and can be quite unpleasant.
The best way to take care of your marble would be by using a neutral cleaner that will not leave behind any kind of smell or stain on the surface and then use an oil-free polish which is made specifically for marble floors in order to keep them looking their absolute best.
6. Decrease The Resale Value Of Your Marble
When all is said and done nobody would appreciate marble surfaces that is etched all over. It’s a hassle and will substantially decrease the resale value of your home because some people may be turned off by this.
Your best bet is to take care of your marble and other natural stone surfaces by using the right products for each area.
For example, in order to care for marble floors, you would want to use a neutral cleaner that will not leave behind any kind of etch, smell, or stain on the surface. Also, use an oil-free polish that is made specifically for marble flooring in order to keep them looking their absolute best.
You should also have protective mats at all entrances so dirt and debris do not get tracked into your home – this will help with your marble surface which is more susceptible to damage from these things.
Tips On How To Maintain Your Marble Surfaces Without Using Lemon
Below are some of the best ways to maintain your marble floors and other surfaces without using lemon:
- Vacuum regularly with a vacuum cleaner that has an upholstery attachment. This will remove any spills or debris on the surface and it also helps to keep dirt from being ground in by creating static electricity which can attract dust, dander, etc.
- Clean high-traffic areas more often than others as these spots tend to accumulate soil faster than other places in your home – this includes entryways, hallways, and especially stairs! Use cleaners specifically for hard surfaces instead of all-purpose ones that contain ammonia or bleach because they can damage the finish on your flooring over time.
- For oil stains use a soft cloth or paper towel and blot until the stain is gone. If you have a stubborn spot, apply mineral spirits with a cotton or microfiber cloth and blot until the stain disappears.
- For watermarks use wax polishes for marble materials which can be found at Amazon to help prevent these from happening in the first place! Marble Polishes can be used on all flooring types including natural stone, granite, concrete, terrazzo and more .
- To maintain cleanliness: sweep up dirt particles when they are dry (don’t try this after it rains!) for outdoor marble surfaces. This is so that your mop doesn’t push them down into the surfaces; vacuum often as well. You should also periodically deep clean your floors using products specifically designed for hardwood.
– Clean up all spills promptly so they don’t have time to set into the stone and do damage.
- If possible, try not to walk or allow your pets to walk through wet areas like puddles or water left dripping from faucets, etc., this could lead to stains that are difficult to remove.
- For pets, use a designated water bowl and clean the area it is usually placed regularly to avoid any build up of dirt or bacteria around the bowls.
- Wear slippers inside your home instead of your regular shoes so you don’t track outdoors mud into your marble floors. This will also protect them from scratches.
