Marble fireplaces

[adam3132]

Ideas for cleaning them please??

[RATTER15]

I'm an ex marble mason and restoring marble fireplaces was my speciality!!

The trouble with doing this yourself is anything you use to clean it effectively will ruin the finish, I would suggest you try a plastic scourer with some detergent and then when dry give it a good buff up with beeswax, do not use any oil based products as it will stain it irreversably!!

[KARL]

I am no expert, but the Italians (who know the stuff very well) avoid using any soap or detergent and instead use only water but frequently. Our bathroom floor has marble which I laid ten years ago and we have only used plain water on it - although we had the benefit of starting with some very curious wax (not beeswax) given me by a stone specialist (I used tiny quantities of it and it did not colour at all but remains there - some sort of sealing action I believe). A tiny amount of detergent being used on the wall tiles trailed down a bottle standing on the floor and left a mark but re-application of the wax there sorted it and the floor looks as good as when it was laid. If the fireplace marble is at all stained it is very unlikely you will remedy that, unfortunately - but try the soft plastic scourer (I suggest) with only water. If a stubborn stain persists, soap/detergent will not make it any worse but the surface finish may disappear - the Italians reckon soap/detergent permanently marks marble and gradually causes it to crumble superficially..

[RATTER15]

Sorry Karl, but I do know what I am talking about, I was trained by an Italian Master Mason and I used to restore marble furniture for the Italians!!! We are not talking about maintaining a new floor here, we are talking about trying to bring back an old fireplace from many years of use!!
and yes there is special wax polish for keeping a good shine on new marble, this is not new marble and this person probably wont be able to get hold of it!!!

Like you say, you are no expert, I am!!!

[adam3132]

Thank you Karl and Ratters for your responses. In particular Karl I am taking about Georgian Fireplaces @1830 so I will indeed heed your advise, thank you both again though.

[adam3132]

Thank you Ratters and Karl for your responses. In particular Ratters I am taking about Georgian Fireplaces @1830 so I will indeed heed your advise, thank you both again though. If you can think of anything else I would welcome your input.

[RATTER15]

The only thing I can add is, use real beeswax not a beeswax additive, a tooth brush for getting into mouldings etc is useful. This really is a job for a professional as he would take the whole fireplace away and bring it back looking like new.

See how it goes, good luck

[leahdunrossil]

Marble fireplaces should be cleaned with a wet sponge dipped in warm water and should be wiped dry with a cloth.