What is the best way to clean and maintain marble floors in an Abu Dhabi villa?

Marble requires specific care to stay looking its best in the UAE climate. Get this right and it lasts beautifully for decades. Get it wrong and the damage is often permanent.

Daily care: sweep or vacuum with a soft brush attachment regularly. Sand and grit in the UAE act like sandpaper on marble and cause micro-scratches that dull the surface over time. Mop with a damp cloth and a pH-neutral stone cleaner only. Never use vinegar, lemon-based products, bleach, or any acidic cleaner. These etch the surface chemically and the damage cannot be polished out easily.

Spills: blot immediately, do not wipe. In Abu Dhabi the water is relatively hard (high mineral content) so even water left sitting can leave deposits on marble over time.

Professional polishing: even with perfect daily care, marble dulls over time from micro-scratches. Professional diamond polishing restores the surface and re-seals it. In Abu Dhabi expect to pay AED 3-8 per square foot depending on marble condition. For most villas, annual or biannual polishing is appropriate.

Sealing: a quality penetrating sealer applied every 12-18 months significantly reduces porosity and makes the surface much more resistant to staining. Ask your polishing specialist to apply sealer after every polish.

For chips, deep scratches, or chemical etching, restoration is a different and more intensive process than polishing. Do not confuse the two when getting quotes.

BidMyJob.ae connects you with vetted marble polishing specialists across Abu Dhabi.