Specialised cleaning · updated August 2026
Marble Lobby Care: What Your Nightly Cleaner Must Never Do
Marble is calcium carbonate, which means it is acid-sensitive — and the damage is almost never done by the restoration contractor. It is done nightly, by well-meaning cleaning with the wrong product. Neutral pH 7–9 only. No vinegar, no citrus, no bleach, no ammonia, and never an acidic restroom cleaner carried into the lobby on the same mop.
The Red List
- Anything acidic — vinegar, citrus, descaler, acidic restroom cleaner. Etches the surface permanently.
- Bleach and ammonia — dulls polish and damages the finish over time.
- Melamine pads — abrasive; they remove polish.
- Auto-scrubber with aggressive pads — the fastest way to destroy a polished finish.
- Cross-contamination from restroom cleaning — the most common cause of lobby etching in real buildings. Separate the equipment and the chemistry.
- Ice-melt salt tracked in — in New York, the single most damaging thing that will happen to a marble lobby all year.
The Two-Tier Care Model
| Tier 1 — daily janitorial | Tier 2 — periodic restoration | |
|---|---|---|
| Who | Your nightly cleaning crew | Accredited stone specialist |
| What | Dust mop, neutral-pH damp clean, matting maintenance, immediate spill response | Diamond honing, powder polishing, sealing, chip and crack repair |
| Frequency | Daily, intensified November–March | Annually to every few years by traffic |
| Cost | Inside your janitorial contract | $5–$18 / sq ft depending on condition |
Restoration typically costs 70–90% less than replacement, which runs $50–$125+ per square foot. Which is the argument for getting tier one right.
The Crystallisation Question
Crystallisation uses an acid and steel wool to produce an immediate high shine. Many stone professionals regard it as damaging to marble over the long term because of what the acid does to the calcite structure. It is fast, it looks good, and it is a decision with a multi-year consequence. Ask any prospective contractor directly whether they crystallise, and why.
Matting Is the Whole Prevention Programme
Green Seal's GS-42 standard specifies entryway matting dimensions for a reason. A proper matting run — long enough for several footfalls, not a token mat inside the door — captures grit and salt before it reaches the stone. It is cheap, it is unglamorous, and it saves lobby restoration bills every spring.
Credentials to Ask For
- Natural Stone Institute (formerly MIA) accreditation
- A written stone care plan specific to your material
- A mandatory test patch before any restorative process
- A statement of whether they crystallise
- Insurance limits meeting your building's schedule
Last reviewed August 2026. Figures for prevailing wage and regulatory schedules change on 1 January and 1 July — we re-verify this page each cycle.
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