Don’t Let Mold Take Hold — Call MARBLELIFE

Spring is finally here. Winter’s chill has yielded to warmer days, gentle rains, blooming flowers and unfortunately … mold. While you may enjoy singing in the rain, you won’t be singing any love songs to unsightly mold and mildew on your tile and grout — or on your driveway, patio or walkway. Not only is mold disgusting to look at,…

Size Matters When It Comes to Your Commercial Property

If you’re responsible for managing a large commercial property, like a multistory office building, hotel or sports complex, then you know just how much size matters. Sometimes, it seems like there’s no such thing as a small problem with a large property. You want to partner with someone who understands that fact — and has experience taking care of supersized…

The Modern Mudroom

The spring rains are here, and that means there’s a lot more opportunity for muddy feet to make their way into your home. Why not turn a boring entryway into a stylish and modern mudroom that will help you stay organized and help keep the rest of your home clean? Here are a few design tips to help you get…

Polished to Perfection With MARBLELIFE

The weather is getting warmer, the days are longer and the sun is shining, yet your marble floors aren’t gleaming the way you’d like? You figure all they need is a good scrub, so you grab your bucket and mop — and get to work. But after toiling for hours, your floors still look dull and lifeless. What’s going on?…

Protect Your Surfaces — and Your Bottom Line — With MARBLELIFE

After nearly two years, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to upend nearly every industry in the world with new variants and economic uncertainties popping up with frustrating regularity. Employers across the globe ponder whether to maintain remote work, develop a hybrid workspace model, or bring employees back to the office completely. And there’s continual pressure on property managers to provide safe…

Why You Should Care About Your Concrete

Many homeowners set the bar too low when it comes to their concrete surfaces. It’s easy to do. After all, this durable and strong material used to be considered to be purely utilitarian — and not nearly as sexy as Italian marble, bookmarked granite or retro-cool travertine. But if you think this way, you’re selling concrete short, because it…

Spring Into Cleaning With MARBLELIFE

For ages, humans have felt the urge to put winter behind them with a thorough repudiation of the dirt and grime that accumulates during dark months. As the polar axis tilts back toward the sun, bringing longer hours of sunlight and warmer temperatures to the Northern Hemisphere, the impulse inevitably arises. People across the world break out brooms and fill…

Keep Your Stone Surfaces Looking New With MARBLELIFE Sealers

Stone surfaces add elegance, beauty — and value — to your home. Marble, granite and natural stone floors, walls and countertops create instant appeal to virtually any living space and compliment many styles of interior décor. But once you’ve invested in natural stone, you also need to invest in protecting it. Sealers play a significant role both upfront after installation…

Tips for Property Managers Working With Service Providers

As a commercial property manager, you’ve got a lot of responsibilities. Ensuring office safety, complying with local codes and tending to maintenance and repairs are just some of the many tasks in your charge. To keep all those plates spinning, you must be able to rely on your service providers and avoid wasting time micromanaging or tracking people down. Keep…

Create a Lasting Impression with MARBLELIFE

Have you ever “cleaned” a surface just to find it dirty again only a few days later? This issue is more common than you may think. The problem is that many surface-cleaning products and services don’t provide lasting results. In fact, they can even make the situation worse when they use oils that attract even more dirt, acids that damage…

If You Like New, You’ll Love “Better Than New” With MARBLELIFE

Keeping home surfaces looking their best can be a daunting task. Dust, pets, food items and foot traffic are constantly working against you — not to mention the spills and stains that require deeper, more rigorous cleaning. But what if you could wipe away your worries about long-term damage without sacrificing endless hours to surface maintenance? MARBLELIFE® can ease your…

MARBLELIFE, Can You Mend My Stone-cold Heart?

Dear MARBLELIFE, Things just aren’t the same anymore — my relationship with my marble countertop is on the rocks. The love I once felt has lost its luster. I thought we’d be together forever, but the cracks are showing and there’s a stain on our relationship that I don’t think can ever be removed. Will our lifetime commitment end…

Best-in-Class Care for Your Commercial Property

Top commercial property owners go the extra mile to maintain their facilities and keep tenants happy. And they set the same high standards for their service providers as they manage large buildings, multiple properties, everyday maintenance orders and occasional repairs. MARBLELIFE® has a tradition of exceeding customers’ expectations, and you can be certain that we’ll provide the best-in-class surface care…

Read All About It: What Customers are Saying About MARBLELIFE

When something is that good, it gets people talking. Here are just three of many, many glowing Google reviews of our services. Exceeded Expectations: “Marblelife was a referral from my sister-in-law, and they did not disappoint! From booking the preliminary appointment (wonderful support staff) to meeting with our expert (thank you, Mike), the process was seamless and easy. Regarding…

Save Time and Energy by Establishing a Home Cleaning Routine

Whether you whistle while you work or prefer to clean in silence, housework can be a chore that quickly piles up if you fall behind — and appears to be time-consuming for just about everyone. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, women spend an average of two hours and 15 minutes per day on household activities — more…

Granite May Be Hard as a Rock, But It Still Can Stain —MARBLELIFE Can Help

Natural stone, like granite, is an elegant addition to a home, providing durable beauty and functionality. And you’d think its rock-solid strength would stand up to all kinds of mishaps, like spilled wine or your kid’s science project. But as hard and resilient as natural stone is, it’s not impervious to stains or build-up. In fact, all natural stone is…

The MARBLELIFE Guarantee

Maintaining a safe, healthy working environment remains a top priority for commercial property owners and managers. After all, not only are you having to adjust your maintenance practices according to shifting pandemic protocols, but you also need to convince tenants to not Zoom out of their lease when it’s up for renewal. Despite COVID-related sanitation concerns, the top sticking point…

Happy Holidays from MARBLELIFE

The holiday season inspires us to reflect on the past year. We at MARBLELIFE® want to take time to thank our customers — the homeowners and business maintenance professionals who continue to invite us to take care of their stone and tile surfaces. You trust us to help make your living and workspaces more beautiful and welcoming. On behalf of…

Loft Style Living

Industrial, but rustic. Modern, but vintage. Loft style truly offers something for everyone. It’s an adaptable and appealing aesthetic that’s equally at home in the city and the burbs. And you don’t need an abandoned warehouse space to enjoy its charm if you build on these design foundations. Open-concept spaces. If you have a large, multifunction room in your home,…

Ye Olde Holiday Celebration

Sometimes, a trip down memory lane is just what’s called for, especially during uncertain times. And a Victorian holiday conjures up warm feelings of nostalgia on chilly winter nights. Here are some design tips for ye olde-fashioned celebration. Silver and gold alongside ruby and emerald green make for a bejeweled and beautiful color scheme. And if you don’t have a…

De-Stress Holiday Prep With MARBLELIFE

Are you hosting a holiday feast this season and feeling a little daunted by your to-do list? Event planners understand that starting event prep early helps reduce stress. Doing things bit by bit ahead of the big day will help take the pressure off and leave you more time to kick back with friends and family. Clear the Decks for…

MARBLELIFE: Thankful Today and Every Day

The spirit of Thanksgiving brings together family and friends to remind us of all we’re grateful for — including the comfort of our homes as a gathering place for cherished celebrations. At MARBLELIFE®, we’re proud and thankful for the trust all of you continue to place in us to take care of your homes each and every day. Four Reasons…

MARBLELIFE Offers Help in the Kitchen This Thanksgiving

For many Americans, Thanksgiving kicks off the holiday season when family and friends gather together to celebrate the good things in life. Whatever your traditions are, your guests will no doubt spend time in your kitchen assisting with meal prep, eating or cleaning up. And MARBLELIFE® can help make that experience even better. Impress Your Family and Friends Has a…

Corian Care and Repair

Color, versatility, functionality and cost are just some of the reasons homeowners and businesses alike make Corian their countertop of choice. Corian is a hard surface composite that can be fabricated to fit any space or décor. It’s widely used in new and restored homes for kitchen and bar countertops, vanity tops and shower walls. Contractors and retail buyers opt…

MARBLELIFE Ultimate Marble

Your home is not only an investment, but also an expression of your personal style. Marble imparts a sense of elegance unlike any other surface. We expect to see it in the finest hotels and the lobbies of banks and financial advisors. Yet, even with marble, there are variations of appearance and refinement. With the appearance of Covid, Marblelife’s Ultimate…

It’s No Trick — MARBLELIFE Makeovers Are a Real Treat

You want to offer a little frightful fun to trick or treaters — but not because of the condition of your walkway, driveway or porch. Before you set out your first jack-o’ lantern of the season, give MARBLELIFE® a call. Driveways and walkways. We can freshen up your concrete or stone hardscapes and improve your curb appeal. If you’ve got…

Is Your House Haunted … by Dirt Demons on Tile and Stone Surfaces?

You turn the corner into your bathroom, and a chill runs up your spine. You creep into the kitchen for a midnight snack, but you feel an overwhelming sense of dread. You’re in the shower with the water on hot, yet your blood runs cold when you see it. Your house is possessed. But it’s not visions in the dark,…

Consider a Career in Surface Care with MARBLELIFE

Lately, it seems like everyone is rethinking their work-life balance. And finding a rewarding career, consistent with personal values and lifestyle, has become an even more important consideration. Whether you’re seeking a pathway to a management position or a job that’s people-oriented — and gets you out from behind a desk — MARBLELIFE® might be exactly what you’ve been looking…

Maximize Your Home’s Resale Value With MARBLELIFE

A new generation of homebuyers. A lag in housing construction. A shift to remote work that has many creating their own at-home C-suite. These forces are powering a skyrocketing housing market. According to CoreLogic, U.S. home prices saw a 13% annual gain in April 2021, the highest since February 2006. When you read stories about bidding wars and lotteries for…

Fall Spruce Up

There’s no getting around it. The days are getting shorter, the nights a little chillier and that sweater in the back of your closet is calling to you. Autumn is just around the corner, and it’s time to get your home ready for cooler temps and cozy living once again. Luckily, there are a number of ways MARBLELIFE® can help…

Surface Maintenance Tips for Commercial Property Managers

If you own or manage a commercial property, you face a lot of challenges on a daily basis. MARBLELIFE® can be a vital member of your maintenance team and help you achieve cost-effective, superior results. Here are a few tips to keep your property in tip-top shape by cleaning smarter — not harder. Prevent vinyl problems before they happen. MARBLELIFE®…

Post-Pandemic Reality: The Profitability of Cleanliness

As consumers return to stores and restaurants after more than a year of online deliveries, one thing is certain: cleanliness remains king. While sanitizing became a top priority during the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s strong evidence that clean shopping environments and dining spaces continue to have a significant impact on customer behavior and satisfaction. “Today, with so many other shopping options,…

MARBLELIFE – Your Multi-surface Care Expert

MARBLELIFE® expertly restores and maintains marble, granite, concrete, vinyl, slate, travertine and tile. We care for more marble than any other company in the world, employing specially formulated cleaners, polishers and sealers to preserve and protect fine surfaces. MARBLELIFE® can enhance the beauty of natural stone and tile, fill chips, repair cracks and remove stains to restore the beauty of…

MARBLELIFE Concrete Restoration Solutions

Concrete is one of the fastest growing floor surfaces in America. It’s stylish and complements many design styles — from industrial to contemporary to urban loft. And since it sidesteps the chemicals, odors and allergens that can hide in carpet and underlayment, concrete surfaces can benefit your indoor environment. But concrete is not maintenance free. Being naturally porous, it’s highly…

Preserving the Value of Vinyl

Wear and tear on any flooring is inevitable — dirt, grime and scuff marks will take their toll. And while vinyl remains a reliable, durable and cost-effective choice for many commercial properties, it still requires maintenance if you don’t want your customers to see a steady stream of scuff marks and dull floors. If you are still waxing, this means…

MARBLELIFE — Your Surface Renovation Specialist

You already trust MARBLELIFE® for expert tile and stone maintenance. But did you know we’re also a go-to home renovation resource for reimagining the surfaces in your home or commercial property? We offer a number of proprietary services that deliver big on style and won’t break the bank. Concrete Staining and Polishing. Color is one of the most powerful design…

What You Thought You Knew About Cleaning Tile and Stone Is Probably All Wrong

If you’re like many people, then you might believe some of these common misconceptions about how to keep your tile and stone clean: All-natural cleaners are gentle and won’t harm my surfaces. This assumption can really get you into trouble. Cleaners touting all-natural ingredients like lemon and vinegar can be highly acidic, which can be particularly damaging to surfaces such…

MARBLELIFE: Better Than Clean

Many inferior products and surface care services can make your floors and counters look clean. And some can do a decent job cleaning them. But MARBLELIFE® can make tile and stone better than clean. Here are a few reasons why. Clean without damage. Some products can make your surface look clean … temporarily, but it comes at a cost. Harsh…

MARBLELIFE Can Repair and Restore Your Granite

Are you a discriminating homeowner who wants all your home repairs done the right way? Does your once-pristine granite have chips, breaks, cracks or an uneven seam? MARBLELIFE® stone care professionals can properly assess, repair and restore the damage to your surface whether it’s your countertop, floor, backsplash or hearth. My Granite Used to Look Great — What Happened? Granite…

Pool Party Prep

Everyone loves a pool party! And now that summer is in high gear, we thought this would be the perfect time to give you a few tips to make your next one the best yet. Set the scene. Make sure you have enough places for friends and family to hang out. Create small seating clusters around your pool where people…

MARBLELIFE: A Storied History of Stone Care

MARBLELIFE® owes its current success thanks to more than 30 years of expansion and innovation. Motivated top to bottom, we restore and maintain the largest projects and the broadest building portfolios. Covering 85% of the North American population, our trained specialists would love to show you what the latest in technology can do for you. Here’s our story. The Early…

Makeover Your Home with an EnduraCrete Overlay

Attention homeowners and renovators who want a fast, easy and affordable upgrade for your home or investment! Our concrete overlays cover up unsightly imperfections and are an affordable, attractive alternative to replacing old, stained and cracked concrete. A fixed crack still looks like a crack until you give it the cosmetic repair it really needs, and overlays will make you…

“Wax Off” Forever with MARBLELIFE TileLok

Does your lobby floor look drab and yellow? Waxing has traditionally been used to boost shine or hide the wear on a floor with the illusion that it is protecting the floor from scratches and scuffs. In reality, it can’t hold up to scratches or wear or help with disinfection routines. Because wax requires regular maintenance for its often-subpar performance,…

Get Your Outdoor Patio in Shape for Father’s Day

It’s that time of year again: Time to give a special shoutout to all the Dads out there. While we think every day should be Father’s Day, we’d like to take a minute to celebrate all Dads, whether this year, they’ve been a stay-at-home Dad, a work-from-home Dad, or a work-at-work Dad. This is been an unusual time for everyone…

Using Stone to Create a Warm, Contemporary Living Space

Stone is the perfect organic element to work into the warm, contemporary design styles that are so popular right now. And the most impactful way to use stone is to go big with it. In this gorgeous great room, a handsome stone feature wall with a modern fireplace creates a stunning focal point to anchor the entire living space. The…

Classic, Timeless Terrazzo

There’s a reason a classic stays a classic. Homeowners and renovators who appreciate history already know the artistry of terrazzo. This timeless flooring is a composite material with chips of marble, quartz, granite, and glass floating together in a concrete or epoxy-resin binder. Although terrazzo can be traced back to ancient Egypt, this graceful yet resilient flooring had a renaissance…

MARBLELIFE Stone and Tile Care Products: Safe, Science-backed, Superior Cleaning

There’s no shortage of stone and tile care products in the cleaning aisle of your local supermarket. But, unfortunately, some of them may be ineffective or even damaging to surfaces. Even “all-natural” cleaners can contain corrosive acids that have the ability to etch delicate marble and eat away at the seal on your grout. To offer our clients a better…

MARBLELIFE Thanks Front-line Building Maintenance Workers

Custodians, janitors and other building maintenance personnel always play an important role in providing clean and safe environments for everyone. But now more than ever before in our lifetime, these essential, front-line workers have stepped up to help protect all of us from COVID-19 and allow schools, offices, hospitals, factories, airports, supermarkets and government buildings to remain open to the…

MARBLELIFE — A Building Manager’s Best Friend

If you’re a building owner or manager, we invite you to learn about the many advantages of partnering with MARBLELIFE® for your commercial building hard surface maintenance and restoration needs. Here are just a few. 1. Earn Customer Trust. Many customers will avoid a retail or restaurant location based on bathroom hygiene alone. And this attitude has only been heightened…

Another MARBLELIFE Success Story: Haeley’s Stone Floors in San Antonio

One of the best parts of our job is seeing the look on our customers’ faces when we complete a service. Time and time again, we hear the words, “Wow, we never knew our floors could look this great again!” Sometimes, there’s an “incident” that leads to a call — a major stain, crack or chip due to an accident.…

The Garage — Reimagined by MARBLELIFE

Did you know that some people actually have an extra, usable room in their house that they’ve completely forgotten about? It’s usually dirty, cluttered and utterly uninviting. If your garage is a mere afterthought — reduced to a neglected pass-through space between your car and the mudroom — that person might be you! Many garages have evolved — or should…

Indoor-Outdoor Spaces

The return of spring beckons us outside once again, but the weather can still be hit or miss in many parts of the country. That makes indoor-outdoor spaces, like the enclosed porch above, perfect for this time of year. A breath of fresh air through the windows in a natural setting can bring us back to life as winter releases…

Healthcare Facility Maintenance During COVID-19

Infections are a risk to anyone who receives treatment in, works in or visits healthcare settings. Medical offices, clinics and hospitals are exposed to germs, bacteria and viruses daily. Due to their natural porosity, stone and particularly grout can trap harmful microorganisms. Improper cleansing can drive contaminants further into the surface without neutralizing these little pests. Proper cleaning is the…

Out With the Mold, In With Marblelife

Mold isn’t a plant or an animal; it’s a microscopic organism that lives in colonies. Since it doesn’t create food through photosynthesis like a plant, it doesn’t need light to survive. What it does like is moisture. That’s why you may find it in places that are consistently damp and dark like a poorly patched roof leak in the attic,…

A Modern Marble Bath

This gorgeous bath showcases a pleasing mix of modern and traditional elements. We love how classic marble envelops the entire space from floor to ceiling, creating a strong design foundation for everything to follow. The color story is restrained, comprised only of black, white, gray and gold. The black and gray herringbone tile accent wall provides a dramatic backdrop for…

Trust MARBLELIFE to Protect Your Travertine Investment

Travertine is a naturally porous form of limestone. And while it possesses a timeless beauty, travertine can also crack and open new voids with normal wear and tear. Unfortunately, each new crevice is another place dirt can hide. MARBLELIFE® stone care professionals can take care of routine cleaning, fill chips or cracks, polish scratches or convert your open floor to…

Commercial Building Maintenance During COVID

With the unfortunate resurgence of COVID cases, disinfection and maintenance of public spaces is more important than ever. If you’re a business owner or cleaning crew operator, you need to ensure that your cleaning and disinfecting protocols are in top shape. MARBLELIFE® will provide a complimentary, on-site consultation not only on the condition of your marble, granite, concrete and terrazzo…

Special Considerations for Disinfecting White Floors

What you need to clean, and how you need to clean to reduce your risk for transmitting COVID-19, can all be a little confusing, but we’re going to try to clarify an issue for anyone with a white-colored floor that can lead to major headaches — and also help you disinfect more thoroughly in the process. The general requirement for…

Fall in Love With Your Tile Again

You once loved your tile. Your heart used to flutter when you saw it and you reveled in its sparkling clean glory. But over time, your feelings faded. Little by little, your once-gleaming tile lost its luster. Tiny specks of mold and mildew started appearing in your once-pristine grout. There was even a period of time when, if you gave…

Shelter to Sanctuary: Pretty in Pink

Pink is all grown up in this modern and spacious master bath featuring a sculptural, freestanding tub. And there’s nothing prim and prissy about it at all. A statement wall of sophisticated pink tile creates a comfortable ambiance — and a very flattering, warm glow that’s a nice touch in any room with mirrors. This Valentine’s Day, we invite you…

Stone and Tile Care Resolutions

It’s a new year — time to turn over a new leaf when it comes to caring for your tile and stone surfaces. Here are 10 resolutions you should make to help keep your floors and counters looking their very best in 2021. 1. Avoid harmful cleaners. Even many “all-natural” products contain harmful acidic ingredients like citrus or vinegar. These…

Are Your Floors MARBLELIFE Clean?

Not every “clean” is created equal. Going through the motions of cleaning does not always result in a “clean” appearance and may even make it worse if using an inappropriate cleaner. Ever clean a surface that looks “dirty” without getting a positive change in appearance? Odds are you have the cleanest damaged surface in town, but since damage can appear…

Attention Realtors and Renovators: MARBLELIFE Can Help Turn Your Property from Sad to SOLD

Due to a perfect combination of low mortgage rates, an increase of remote workers and the flight of many city dwellers searching for more open spaces —home sales surged by a record-setting 24.7% in July according to the National Association of Realtors. MARBLELIFE® can rejuvenate and restore your listing’s tile, stone and concrete floors and surfaces — and give it…

Shelter to Sanctuary: Clean and Organize From the Ground Up

Happy New Year! A new year brings a fresh start. And we thought this would be a great time to offer a few tips to get your home organized from the ground up in 2021. Maximize your floor space by thinking vertically. Whenever you can, utilize vertical storage solutions like the cube display pictured above. You can mount simple shelves…

Is It a Miracle … or MARBLELIFE?

Do you look at your dull or damaged marble floor or stained grout and think “It would take a miracle to fix this mess?” With MARBLELIFE®, no divine intervention is necessary to make your floors sparkle this upcoming year. MARBLELIFE® can restore dull and damaged surfaces, remove waxy buildup, fix cracks and other damage, eliminate stained grout (forever), re-polish surfaces…

Last Minute Gift They Will Love: ColorSEAL

Running out of time to get a gift by Christmas? Schedule a MARBLELIFE ColorSEAL service and give your loved one the gift of time. We even have a PRINTABLE CERTIFICATE you can wrap and put under the tree! Stained grout can take hours to scrub, and often with little results. We can restore your grout to its original appearance or…

Happy Holidays from MARBLELIFE

Many things have changed since we wished you a happy holiday a year ago. Our thoughts are with all families who are suffering through the pandemic, especially those who’ve lost loved ones. We remain ever grateful for all Americans on the front lines of this crisis — healthcare workers, police, firefighters and EMTs, as well as the teachers, sales clerks,…

If Tile Could Talk

Hey! Hey you up there! Look down here. It’s me — your tile. I know you think you can walk all over me, and you usually do, but a little consideration once in a while would be nice. If you drop stuff, bend over and pick it up, don't just kick it under the cabinet. And if you must trim…

Schedule Your MARBLELIFE Holiday Spruce-Up

The holidays are closing in fast. You’ve got so much to do with all the gift shopping, wrapping, cooking, baking, decorating, and card writing. Not to mention activities with the kids. With all that going on, how are you ever going to get your house “guest ready” before company arrives? Don’t worry — MARBLELIFE® to the rescue! Let us do…

Shelter to Sanctuary: Merry and Bright

MARBLELIFE® has tips to help you deck your halls in style — and without breaking the bank! Remember that this time of year, it’s really all about the light. And adding shimmer and sparkle is the easiest way to give your home a fun and festive atmosphere. Amp Up the Candlepower Even if your home is blessed with abundant natural…

Happy Thanksgiving From MARBLELIFE

For as tumultuous as 2020 has been, we have a lot to be thankful for this year — and our thoughts are with every family that has been adversely impacted by the pandemic, especially those who’ve lost loved ones. We feel so fortunate that you’ve stood by us during difficult times, allowing us into your homes and businesses to continue…

Free Building Health Assessment

As a business or commercial property owner, we know that you want to do all you can to promote a safe and healthy environment for those who frequent your establishment. You probably contract professional janitorial services for your routine maintenance and deep-cleaning needs. That said, there is a difference between going through the motions of “cleaning” and achieving “clean.” Cleaning…

Get Your Home Guest Ready with MARBLELIFE!

The holidays are almost here! And that means your guests aren’t far behind. Welcome them with spotless, sparkling tile and stone. Despite your diligent cleaning efforts, you may find parts of your home looking a little lackluster and in need of a refresh. Even though you’ve been going through the motions of cleaning, you may still have stained grout, dull…

Caring for “Wood” Surfaces

These days, “wood” floors often refer to a variety of flooring materials, including solid wood, engineered wood and laminates. There are even “wood look” porcelain planks that can fool a trained eye. Wood floors can be any number of species, whether oak, pine, cherry or more exotic varieties, such as merbau and tigerwood. Planks can be long or short, and…

Banish the Ghosts of Tile and Stone Repairs

Halloween can be a terrifying time, but don’t let your stone and tile surfaces scare you. MARBLELIFE® to the rescue! Monstrous Mold Creepy, disgusting mold can be a harbinger of hygiene and health issues that frustrate even the most diligent cleaning efforts. Crafty mold spores are constantly invading your home via ducts and foot traffic. Once established, they can release…

Can You Pass This Tile and Stone Care Quiz?

If your tile or stone looks dull and dingy, cleaning isn’t always as straightforward as you might hope. In fact, you may be hurting your surfaces instead of helping them. Take this quick MARBLELIFE® fact-or-fiction quiz to test your stone care knowledge. 1. True or False? If you really want to clean your tile or stone floor, use a wire…

Is Your Favorite Restaurant Really Clean?

Cleanliness is top of mind for many of us these days, and that’s especially true when visiting a restaurant. Feeling safe enough to enjoy your meal without worry is a critical part of the dining experience. But how do you know if your favorite restaurant is really clean? There are some clues, and both customers and restaurant owners should know…

A Fabulous First Impression for Fall

Your front entrance, walkway and patio are your guests’ first impression of your home. Now that the holidays are approaching, you’re probably planning out your seasonal decorations. Here’s some advice to make your fall and Halloween curb appeal spooktacular! Start your makeover at the curb. Make sure the path leading up to your house is neat and tidy. If your…

Shelter to Sanctuary: Schooling from Home

Many students across the country are doing some form of remote learning. It’s important to create a home environment that’s conducive to both concentration and creativity. Here are five easy tips for designing a functional and productive kid’s space that looks great without breaking the bank. 1. Have a desk serve double duty as a nightstand. If you’re tight on…

Grungy to Great Garage

Did you know that you might already have an extra room in your house that you could repurpose into a music room, hangout or creative project space? What if we told you that room was your garage? “But wait,” you object. “My old concrete garage floor is dull and dirty. I’d never want to spend time in there.” MARBLELIFE has…

Is It Dirty — or Damaged?

At some point, we all walk into a store or hotel, take one look at discolored grout and immediately write it off as “dirty.” Because this is the most common observation we use to assess proper hygiene, the opinion of the establishment falls. Sure, any floor with lots of foot traffic eventually becomes dirty. But if your cleaner isn’t doing…

Why Properly Sealed Surfaces Are Safer

There are plenty of reasons to properly seal grout, concrete and stone surfaces, especially if you want to avoid stains and long-term damage. But did you know that sealing your grout also has important health and safety benefits. You wash and sanitize your hands and wear a mask to prevent spreading illness. This same sort of attention is necessary for…

Maintaining Multiuse Spaces

Right now, there’s a whole lot of sharing going on at home for many American families. With remote work and learning a regular occurrence, many rooms are serving more than one purpose as bedrooms become offices and kitchen tables become classroom desks — and everyone has to share the great room to stream their favorite show. Ironically, it can be…

Supercharge Your Commercial Cleaning Services with MARBLELIFE

Now more than ever, consumers make decisions about which businesses to patronize based on sanitation practices. Cleanliness means safety in the eyes of the public during the pandemic, so dull and dingy floors can cost you customers and hurt your bottom line and alter the perception of you and your business within the community. If you’re not happy with the…

Easy-Breezy Outdoor Cleanup

It's summertime, and while the living may be easy, cleaning and maintaining your outdoor spaces is not. Extra foot traffic, food spills, grilling, rain and heat can make keeping up your patio and walkways an unwelcome challenge when you’d rather be lounging by the pool. Clean Sweep Leaves drift in from the trees, grass clippings, berries and acorns blow in…

Search and Destroy: How to Hunt Down Coronavirus at Home

They may call it “sheltering” in place, but your home may actually be harboring dangerous pathogens that could lead to an infection. As local economies reopen, and we all start going out into the community more, we must remain vigilant about cleaning and disinfecting surfaces when we return to our homes and those we love. The following areas can be…

How Long Does It Take to Kill a Virus?

In our go-go-go society, we often don’t take the time to clean and disinfect properly. To kill a virus, however, disinfectants need sufficient TIME to work. You can usually touch a hot plate with a moist finger without burning it if you’re quick (although we advise against trying to test this yourself), but if you maintain contact for much longer,…

COVID-19 Danger Zones Are All Around You — Protect Yourself

You’re being really careful, staying away from person-to-person contact and crowded spaces to avoid COVID-19. But you’re probably coming into contact with other people’s germs in ways you haven’t even considered. Sources of secondary contact are everywhere — and you need to stay vigilant, especially as many areas of the country open their economies. Here are some areas where you…

Shelter to Sanctuary: The Great Outdoors

We’re all spending more time at home these days, and summer travel plans are now shaky at best. It’s likely that many families will be honing their staycation skills over the next couple of months, which means turning their homes and outdoor spaces into their own private getaways. In our third “Shelter to Sanctuary” post, we’re offering up some inexpensive…

The MARBLELIFE Difference

MARBLELIFE® offers science-based hygienic services that use research-proven anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal technologies to improve the health of your home and business. We go beyond surface cleaning to seek out pathogens where they hide and use chemical, mechanical and ultraviolet light technologies to destroy them. We don’t just clean; we provide defensive protections and services designed to make cleaning easier…

Cleaning vs. Disinfecting: What You Need to Know

Cleaning and disinfecting are both necessary, but fundamentally different, processes to promote a healthy environment. They are complimentary — but not interchangeable. The goal of cleaning is the removal of germs, dirt, and other impurities from surfaces. Cleaning does not kill germs as such. However, what it can do is lower their numbers on surfaces. And by doing so, you…

Shelter to Sanctuary: The Heart of the Home

In the second installment of our Shelter to Sanctuary series, we’re providing ideas to spiff up your kitchen now that it’s getting more use than ever before. This week, we’re offering easy, low-cost ideas to give the heart of your home a quick facelift and make it a place where everyone will want to congregate. 1. Clear Counters. Your kitchen…

Family Friendly Floors During COVID-19 (No More 5-Second Rule)

We now know that the novel coronavirus can live for many days on non-porous surfaces. Based on what we know about viruses, the pores of your unsealed floor grout, cement driveways and sidewalks are prime territory for viruses and molds to hide and evade your best cleaning and disinfecting efforts. Architects will tell you that newly installed grout can appear…

Think Your Cracked Stone Countertop or Floor Is Ruined? Think Again!

Do you look around your kitchen and wonder: When did that crack appear in my countertop? Building movement, fallen objects, standing or sitting on the edge, and even everyday wear and tear can cause cracks in floors, counters and other stone surfaces. Homeowners should address damage as quickly as possible, for even a hairline split can expand into a larger…

Beauty and the Bath: Restore Your Floor

Are your houseguests noticing your less-than-lovely bathroom floor? Even the most polite of company is put off by dirty grout — even if they never say a word about it. Like it or not, we make inferences based on floor health. We decide whether to return to a business or restaurant based on the floor’s appearance in the bathroom. Floor…

Clean Before You Disinfect for a Healthier Home

While we’re sheltering in place, there’s more time at home to do a thorough spring cleaning … except, now we want to disinfect for a safer and healthier home too. As hard as it may seem, stone is a porous material that, if not sealed, can harbor germs and bacteria beneath the surface. And substances that spill, such as cooking…

We All Need a Sanctuary Right Now

Those of us who’ve always said, “I’d love to have more time to tackle decorating and home-improvement projects” are starting to think we should be careful what we wish for. But with so many of us sheltering in place, one thing is certain — our home environments are exerting a greater emotional and psychological impact on all of us. We…

The Temptation of Travertine

Travertine has a classic style that can work in coastal, traditional and contemporary homes alike. But you should do your homework when considering an investment in travertine. Some, but not all, installations will require a more labor-intensive mud set, which can drive up costs considerably. Then there’s the choice of a filled or unfilled (also called open) product. Travertine is…

COVID-19 – UNDERSTANDING WHY WHAT WORKS WORKS

COVID-19 – UNDERSTANDING WHY WHAT WORKS WORKS – Will influence your cleaning strategy When it comes to understanding how to combating COVID-19, it helps to first understand that the virus is not a living organism, but a protein molecule (DNA) covered by a protective layer of lipid (fat), which, when absorbed by the cells of the ocular, nasal or buccal…

Stone and Tile Tools of the Trade

“The right tool for the right job.” There’s a reason that saying withstands the test of time. When it comes to stone and tile surface care, using the proper tool is important for two purposes: maintenance and protection without creating damage. And protecting your floors generally means 1) minimizing the introduction of abrasive materials, and 2) preventing contact with acids,…

Greetings from MARBLELIFE

Greetings from MARBLELIFE For all of us, the primary concern is weathering COVID-19. Clearly, the first goal is to ensure the health and safety of one’s family , team members, neighbors & clients. You are one of those to us. We hope you and yours all remain healthy.With that said, there IS a silver lining… The knowledge and technology exist…

Vacation Home Stone and Tile Care

If you’re lucky enough to have a vacation home that you use for your own enjoyment or a second home that you rent out to make some extra cash, you know that with that privilege comes a lot of extra maintenance and the potential for damage from guests or renters. But there are a number of things you can do…

Big Style for Smaller Spaces

Here’s a simple, yet elegant, backsplash idea that would be just perfect for any kitchen with a smaller footprint. A basic white subway tile, laid straight, feels modern and classic at the same time. It shows that you don’t need to blow your design budget on super-pricey mosaic, glass, metal, or fancy imported tile to create a stunning look. Contrasting…

Color Your World With MARBLELIFE

When it comes to design, color can make all the difference. Color allows you to set a mood, show off your unique personality, and create a dramatic focal point in any room. Color can reinforce your design theme, whether it’s contemporary, industrial or coastal. And simply by changing the colors in your space, you can give it an entirely new…

Seal of Approval

When you apply sealer to stone, tile, or grout, its surface is sealed with a product specifically designed to help protect it against staining and degradation. On kitchen counters and backsplashes, you want to prevent damage from things like red wine, cooking oils or acidic ingredients (lemon, vinegar, etc.). In bathrooms and common areas, the proper application of a good…

Seeing Red

Seeing red isn’t always a bad thing, especially when it comes to interior design. The ultimate color power play, red has the capacity to transform any space because it draws instant attention to wherever it’s used, creating drama and a big visual impact. We thought it would be appropriate for the holiday that celebrates passion and love to give a…

Have You Fallen Out of Love With Your Tile?

Dear MARBLELIFE, I’m desperate for your help. I once loved my tile floor with all my heart but lately have been secretly admiring other tile from afar — newer floors that are gleaming and bright with sparkling grout instead of the dull, stained, dingy tile I’m forced to live with. My tile has been with me for years, so I…

Tile and Grout Care 101

Some tile may be relatively impervious in terms of water absorption, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be damaged, broken or sullied with unsightly mold or soap scum — remember that your grout is still highly vulnerable to dirt and staining. When it comes to taking care of your tile surfaces, it’s really all about getting back to basics. If…

5 Steps to a Great Garage

The new year brings with it a fresh start and the desire to get all the spaces in your home organized and looking great once and for all. If your garage is looking more grungy than great, however, then read on. The garage is more than just a functional space for your vehicle or power tools. For many people, it’s…

Blue Note: Meet Pantone’s 2020 Color of the Year

Leatrice Eiseman, the Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute and world- renowned color forecaster, recently announced the Pantone 2020 color of the year. Every year, Pantone’s color experts seek out influences in the world of color, from many industries including art, fashion, entertainment, lifestyle trends and technology sectors. Even social media influencers and major cultural and sporting events can…

Stone Care Resolutions You Need to Make and Keep in 2020

It’s that time of year when we all try to improve ourselves by making New Year’s resolutions. While we can’t help you lose weight or start a meditation practice, we do have some suggestions for keeping your tile and stone surfaces looking terrific in the year ahead: 1. Never use acid-based products, glass cleaner, bleach, or all-purpose household cleansers on…

Happy Holidays from MARBLELIFE®

It’s hard to believe that 2019 is already winding down and the holidays are once again upon us. It’s time to celebrate and reflect on all that we have to be thankful for. At MARBLELIFE®, we’re most thankful for having had the privilege of serving so many families and companies across the United States. We appreciate the trust you place…

The 12 Floors of Christmas (And MARBLELIFE® Can Restore Them All)

The holidays are a time of restoration and reconnection with family and friends; remembering and celebrating what’s truly important. Here at MARBLELIFE®, we believe in restoration too. We don’t just clean and restore your floors – we enhance them! In many cases, the floors will be in better-than-new condition because they’ll have greater protection to withstand all that the holidays…

Get Holiday-Ready with MARBLELIFE®

It happens all the time. You go out to dinner at a nice restaurant that you’ve been looking forward to trying. The meal is great; the customer service is fantastic. Before you grab your boxed-up leftovers and head home, you hit the restroom and … yuck! You can’t help but notice how dingy and run-down it looks. That’s it! Cross…

Hearth, Home and the Holidays

Your floors and fireplace won’t get more use and attention any other time of year than during the holidays. You and your kids will lie on the floor watching old Christmas classics on TV, and you’ll sit on the floor, gathered around the tree, while opening presents. You’ll hang stockings by the fire, place a wreath over the mantle, and…

Your Top 5 Mold Questions Answered

Whether it’s in the bathroom, kitchen, basement or walls, mold is an unwelcome visitor and potential harbinger of hygiene and health issues; it’s a persistent problem that can frustrate even the most diligent cleaning efforts. Any wet areas are particularly susceptible, but ignoring this freeloading fungus too long can turn it from an eyesore to a health hazard that can…

Give Your Bath Lasting Sparkle and Shine

Week after week, you use cleaners to beat back bathroom grime. But it seems that nothing can fully stop the dirt, mold, and soap scum from returning — and eventually your area for personal hygiene can feel like the filthiest part of your home. Before pulling out your credit cards for a total and costly replacement project, consider how MARBLELIFE®…

Warm Contemporary Kitchen with Granite and Quartz

Three different surfaces — granite, quartz and tile — blend seamlessly in the warm monochrome of this contemporary kitchen. A rich, neutral color scheme of soft gray, cream and brushed, stainless finishes creates an inviting feeling in a room that’s comprised largely of hard surfaces. A glossy gray linear tile backsplash builds visual interest without overwhelming the eye. Flat-panel slab-style…

Re-Accent your Grout for a Whole New Look

The color of your grout can have a tremendous impact on the appearance of your tile surfaces — and not just in terms of whether it looks clean or dirty. It can actually dramatically affect its design style too. A grout color that blends in with your stone or porcelain tile creates a clean, seamless appearance that keeps the focus…

Better-than-Marble MARBLELIFE® Marblized™ Finishes

Since the ancient Greeks crowned the Acropolis with the Parthenon and carved the Venus de Milo, marble has reigned as the most coveted of building materials. It comes in shades from pure white to nearly pitch black, often with fascinating clouds of color swimming over a variegated background. However, marble is heavy, expensive, notoriously hard to install and — unless…

What Is White Dirt and How Do I Get Rid of It?

What’s with that white dirt you keep seeing on your marble countertop? No matter how many times you wipe it away, it shows up again and again! Well, wonder no more. What you’re seeing isn’t actually dirt, but rather damage to your marble due to etching. No worries! MARBLELIFE® can easily help you get back to a flawless, white-dirt-free surface.…

Introducing MARBLELIFE Imagination

We’re excited to introduce MARBLELIFE IMAGINATION — our new concrete design and renovation service. Now, we can take your old, tired concrete floors and transform them with custom colors available in a variety of finishes to suit any taste and interior style. Whether you have a basement, garage, rec room, office, retail space or restaurant with a concrete floor —…

Keep Your Backsplash Beautiful

Acid and oil are a 1-2 punch to your backsplash. Oil is like glue that adheres dirt and grime to your surface. This is why proper cleaning and sealing is so important. If oil comes in contact with your backsplash after acids break down your seal, it can soak deep into your tile and create a stain — which is…

Stone & Tile Style Spotlight: Hip & Groovy Marble

This isn’t your grandmother’s marble — not by a long shot. And if you thought marble floors were just reserved for traditional and formal spaces, think again. Check out this marble masterpiece complete with a slew of fun, throwback retro touches. We love how the shaggy gray, deep-pile area rug sets off the larger-format polished marble tile floors in this…

Is Acid Damage Killing Your Floor?

Acid can be highly destructive to many types of natural stone. But if you learn how to maintain and protect these surfaces from acid damage and avoid certain cleaners, you can prevent the problem before it ever occurs. First, it’s important to understand that many types of surfaces are vulnerable to acid damage, including marble, travertine, terrazzo and concrete. Granite,…

Granite Counters a Top Pick According to Builders: How to Care for Yours

According to the National Association of Home Builders, granite and natural stone are the top picks among 57% of respondents to their 2019 What Buyers Really Want survey. HGTV.com says, “Go for granite.” No matter the price range of your home, buyers want to see granite countertops.” This luxury finish is desirable to house hunters and can add resale value,…

Maintaining Semiprecious and Exotic Stone Surfaces

Exotic and semiprecious stones are crown jewels in the world of home surfaces. Onyx, jasper, labradorite, agate, amethyst, lapis, carnelian and tiger eye are among the choices for these unique and highly prized materials used to beautify homes. The Glam Factor Semiprecious stones offer sparkle and radiance, and some materials are even purported to have mystical and healing properties. (We…

Caring for Your Modern Marble Masterpiece

Larger-format marble tile with a waterfall countertop deliver just the kind of bold, clean lines that takes a classic material in a contemporary direction. This handsome installation showcases the more masculine side of marble. We love how it pairs with the vintage black-and-white photography, tailored leather seating with saddle-stitched details, sleek bar pulls and contemporary tube pendant lighting. White marble…

Caring for Your Natural Stone Mosaic Floor

Mosaics have truly withstood the test of time. They’re a decorative art form originating in ancient Mesopotamia that dates back to the 3rd millennium B.C. At that time it was primarily palaces and temples that featured these intricate stone-based patterns, but today any homeowner can use mosaics to add charm and style to their abode. Magnificent Mosaics Mosaics are inlaid…

Marble: A Timeless Choice That’s Perfectly on Trend

With its indoor-outdoor breezy charm, this stunning master bath is a timeless coastal classic. Luxuriously spacious and flooded with natural light, the wall-to-wall white marble with subtle gray veining provides a look that’s clean and bright without feeling sterile. Walls painted in a light heathery hue add softness without darkening the mood one bit. The elegant marble flooring and tub…

Proper Maintenance of Your Porcelain Plank Floor

Porcelain plank floors offer the beauty and character of hardwood with greater durability and ease of care. Today, you can have the look of natural wood in rooms where maintaining wood has traditionally been difficult such as a kitchen, bath or mudroom. The look and style of porcelain planks can range from rustic to refined. And with advancements in digital…

Saltillo Tile Offers Rustic Elegance …and a Grout Maintenance Challenge

Saltillo tile is a perennial favorite in Mediterranean homes. This warm, terra-cotta tile derives its name from the Mexican town where it was first produced. The tiles range in color from a soft reddish orange to amber yellow hues. They are traditionally cured in open fields, where the footprints of curious roaming dogs often end up embedded in the clay…

The Luxury Garage Trend: Let Your Floor Set the Stage

According to the Washington Post, luxury garages are “zooming onto the domestic landscape” as a “new status symbol” in today’s homes. TVs, bars, mood lighting and even car elevators — it seems that virtually nothing is off the table with this fun and exciting trend. MARBLELIFE’s® Enduracretetm concrete floor coatings, stains and polishing services provide you the options you need…

Summer Stone Dreams

Do you need professional service from one of our hard surface professionals? Call (888) 524-3372 for a Free Estimate After a long and grueling winter, summer is nearly here again! Which means it’s time to prep those patios and outdoor areas to get ready for sun, social gatherings, and (most likely) food and drinks. As the temperatures rise and spring…

Reduce Maintenance Costs with TileLok

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, 20% of MARBLELIFE’s restoration business comes from inappropriate cleaner use. That means it is avoidable. The tile-and-carpet cleaning business wants repeat business over a one-time solution as they make more money. Interior surface services such as powerwashing, stripping, buffing, and waxing are all repeat businesses that can be avoided with use…

Stone surface finishes: satin, honed, and textured

Did you know there are several categories of surface finishes in the stone care world: honed, satin, gloss, leathered, flamed, cleft and textured. Some people may think stone finish simply refers to being polished or unpolished, but there’s a lot more nuance to surface finishing than you may realize. Let’s dig into these lesser known surface finishes. Textured stone finish…

Eliminating Stained Grout – Stain means damage not dirty!

The biggest obstacle to eliminating stained grout is the misconception that a stain is dirt, versus linking a stain to damage. Sure it is dirt that is sitting in the open grout pore that created this stained appearance, but it is the fact that the pore was open in the first place that allowed this travesty to occur. This surface…

Coating or Impregnator: what’s the difference?

Hello again, newsletter readers. This week we’re discussing a topic that – unless you are a stone enthusiast (like we are!) – you probably haven’t spent much time thinking about in your day-to-day experiences. But that’s why we’re here, to give you the information you didn’t even know you needed. Today, we’re talking about coatings versus impregnators for stone flooring.…

What You Don’t Know About Granite

Granite is one of the world’s most recognizable and widely used stones, desirable as a home improvement material for several reasons. Often synonymous with countertops, it can be used in your bathroom, kitchen, lobby, or bar as walls, flooring, countertops, and backsplashes. Granite is a versatile material that can transform a space to fit a wide range of décor while…

Keeping your travertine clean

Travertine, a variety of limestone known for distinctive swirls and textures, is a popular choice for kitchens and bathrooms. All stone, whether you know it or not, is riddled with small, naturally-formed pores that are prone to collecting soap scum. But with routine cleaning and maintenance (and definitely some regular sealing), keeping your travertine surfaces looking great is no trouble…

A dramatic germ of events

You probably agree that natural stone such as granite, limestone, or travertine can really enhance the aesthetic of both interior and exterior spaces, otherwise you wouldn’t have bothered to install it in the first place, right? We agree. There’s just something about being surrounded by natural materials, whether that’s green space in your neighborhood or natural stone in your kitchen…

Tile Death Do Us Part

Ceramic tile is extremely versatile, and easily incorporated in a variety of environments across all sorts of decor. It works in bathrooms and on kitchen floors, backsplash walls and island countertops. So many possibilities with this material, but have you ever stopped to think about what goes into creating ceramic tile and why it works in so many different roles?…

As Above, So Patio

As warmer seasons return and it’s only natural to want to spend some time outside enjoying the gorgeous weather. Have you cleaned up that stone, slate or brick paver patio in your own backyard? Are you guest ready? Here are some quick-and-easy patio maintenance tips from the Stone Care Experts on how to get your patio back to party-ready in…

Your stone is cracked? What now?

Chances are – if you’re anything like us – finding a crack in your floor, table, counter, or slab is the last thing you want to see or begin to deal with. If you’ve done the mental math and understand how much it cost you to have the natural stone installed in the first place, then seeing it damaged can…

Better Slate than Never

If you can remember back to your middle school science class, you may recall a bit about the material known as slate. Particularly, that it’s the result of a transformative chemical process of pre-existing rock. Interior design trends tend to tip towards stones like quartz and granite these days, however, if you’re looking for something eye-catching—something that stands out—you should…

Close to the Etch

You may not think it intuitively when looking at it, but marble and granite can be more delicate than you might think. In fact, in many ways, it’s more delicate than synthetic countertops and every now and again will require some attention in the form of a repair, seal or missing that a stain removal. If you’ve ever been interested…

Cleaning Limestone Surfaces

Limestone surfaces are a popular choice for renovations and improvements providing the luxurious expensive look of marble but an a more affordable old-world price. Most limestone is usually white or off-white in color with unique and naturally occurring patterns throughout the stone. Beautiful as they are, they come with a downside that they require more care than other stone types,…

Truth Will Grout: Common Tile and Grout Myths

When it comes to keeping tile floors looking great, the secret is in the grout. Yes, dirt can sit on the surface but generally cleaning amounts to just that…cleaning. Grout is a more involved story. When grout is kept clean, tile floors look beautiful and can last for years. However, cleaning tile and grout isn’t always as simple as you…

Texture Late Than Never

Welcome back to your favorite stone care newsletter! This week we’re going to be talking about natural stone surface finishes. Particularly, honed and textured finishes. Throughout the sphere of stone care, there are essentially three categories of surface finishes: polished, which is recognized by a highly reflective glossy appearance. The remaining finish groups are honed, satin and textured. Let’s learn…

Trick-or-Treating Candy Stains

Halloween is here and you know what that means. Monsters, ghouls, and ghosts…and candy. Candy everywhere. Perhaps you’ve perfected your candy-eating process, but chances are the young ones in your life have not, which means your home is likely to adopt some stains. Whether those stains are on natural stone, wood, fibers, or leather, the professionals at MARBLELIFE have you…

5 Natural Stone Shower Cleaning Tips – Do this and staying clean is EASY

When it comes to renovating your shower, few options are more popular than natural stone. For one, it can last a lifetime and for two, it instantly transforms any bathroom into an elegant yet completely unique space (not to mention it’s incredibly easy to clean!), and of course it immediately adds value to your home. Caring for natural stone in…

Tending to Tile

Tile and grout floors and surfaces are chosen for a multitude of reasons. But usually at the top of the list are their durability and ease of maintenance. However, when the mop and broom aren’t quite enough, (or are used inappropriately) people can resort to other cleaning methods that may cause unsightly or even permanent damage to the tile and…

Natural Stone 101: The truth about your marble, granite, and travertine

Natural stone is a dynamic material exhibiting tremendous variation. From the palette of colors to the diversity of textures. We’ve talked a lot in these newsletters about how to care for and protect these elegant surfaces. However, we haven’t discussed what these surfaces actually are. As with anything a little understanding can provide insight into best care practices, for a…

In The Nick of Travertine

This is a before and after of a travertine kitchen floor. The before had been ACID CLEANED overtime burning the surface If you follow our newsletter closely, you should know by now that travertine, marble, and limestone are all very similar in physical and chemical composition. That means cleaning and care procedures are essentially the same for all three stones.…

Leave No Stone Unturned

As a home or business-owner interested in upgrading your floors, you essentially have two options: natural and engineered. Natural flooring materials include hardwood, bamboo, and stone like travertine, granite, and marble. On the engineered end of the spectrum, you find laminate materials, ceramic tiles, porcelain, vinyl, carpet, quartz, and engineered hardwood. Flooring is one of those surfaces which tends to…

The DO’s and DON’T’s of Travertine

Travertine is a type of limestone the Romans heavily extracted from quarries located in the Tivoli district of Rome. This stone is very porous and requires care and maintenance similar to that of marble. Travertine is considered an elegant material. Many interior designers say it is more attractive than fine marble (which is funny cause travertine is a type of…

Kiss and makeup

Marble is an attractive surface for many reasons. It’s durable, natural, and elegant in a number of business and household settings. From iconic colonnades to floor tiles, showers and vanities, marble is a stone that has been a building favorite for thousands of years. However, thousands of years ago, marble didn’t have to deal with a number of the chemicals…

Double, Double, Oil and Trouble

Natural stone. It’s both ancient and durable… but not impervious. Especially to substances like oil, grease, and wax, which can seep through protective seals on stone or tiles and cause those dark and sticky stains. Granite, marble, and other types of natural-stone tiles are vulnerable to oil and wax because of their porosity. Yes, stone is porous. You can see…

I Dream of Travertine

Travertine is one of those stones that is a great building materials with functionality and character. Nature knew what she was doing with this beautiful material. In fact, many contractors and home renovators turn to travertine to modernize outdoor spaces like patios, swimming pools and walkways as well as indoor spaces like kitchens and bathrooms. Travertine is desirable for use…

Why Quartz? Why not!

Engineered stone has only been around since the late 1960s, however, its popularity as a countertops material has skyrocketed in recent years, as its value and ease of maintenance benefits are more widely recognized amongst leading builders, interior decorators and successful home owners. There are pages and pages of discussion threads on some of the most popular home improvement online…

Below the Shine: A Guide to Proper Granite Polishing

Any professional granite installer will advise you your granite needs to be sealed to avoid staining. Unless you know your granite has been resonated (a process by which a polyester resin is vacuumed sucked through the granite at the quarry prior to shipping to enhance transportability without breakage but also serves to seal the stone) you need to seal to…

Crack to Square One: How to Deal with Damaged Stone

If you’re like us, then seeing a crack in your table, counter or slab is the last thing you want to deal with. Right up their with visiting the dentist. After all the time and money you spent selecting your surface and getting it installed, seeing it damaged is often a big shock (and pain too!). Once the surface is…

The Rule of Scum

Travertine is an attractive variety of limestone known for its distinctive swirling and texture and it’s a popular choice for kitchens and bathrooms. If you have a travertine shower then you know the surface can be riddled with small, naturally-formed pores, which are prone to collecting soap scum. However, by keeping up with routine cleaning and maintenance, you should have…

Don’t Mold it Against Me

If you struggle with basement mold, you are not alone. It’s a common problem in many homes, particularly those with damp, dark basements—conditions which turn your basement into the promised land for mold and mildew. And once it starts to grow, it can be difficult to get rid of. As always a its easier with the right information… Mold is…

The Soapstone Layer

If you’re drawn to the dark beauty of granite and the soft veining of marble, then you’ll love soapstone. This metamorphic rock is formed mainly from talc, a mineral rich in magnesium. Its chemical composition makes it durable and decently low on the maintenance scale all while exuding an elegant old-world aesthetic. Its variation tends to softer than marble’s distinct…

Slate Minds Think Alike

Slate is a metamorphic stone. If you can remember back to your middle school science class, that means it’s the result of a transformation of pre-existing rock under great pressure and temperature. It’s no secret that interior design trends tip towards stones like quartz and granite these days. However, if you’re looking for something a bit more unconventional—something that stands…

The Stain Event

One of the most desirable qualities about natural stone is its versatility. Used in sculptures, monuments, buildings, and yes, floors and kitchen countertops. Hard, colorful and beautiful, yet susceptible to staining. As stone care professionals, we can tell you that when it comes to stone care the most overlooked point is the need to seal against staining. Like insurance, it…

You Had Me at Patio

Now that summer is in full swing, chances are you’ll want to spend some time outside. And what better way to do that than on the beautiful stone, slate or brick paver patio in your own backyard. Barbeques with friends and family sounds like summer to us but how’s that patio doing? Have you kept up with maintenance while the…

May the Quartz Be with You

Quartz countertops are a man-made alternative to natural stone countertops..When talking quartz counters names like “Zodiaq” and “Stilestone” come to mind. These very hard granite-like surfaces are formed from 80-90% quartz pieces fused together with a polyester resin in a large extruded bun from which counter-top think slabs are cut and then shaped into the counter tops we are all…

The Day After Terrazzo

Back during the time of the Venetians and Romans, marble was already a popular material used for architecture, flooring, and sculpture. As a result, there was a surplus of marble chips and pieces available after the completion of a project or commission. Rather than toss the pieces, stone masons at the time would mix the marble fragments with concrete, creating…

Dust in Time for Summer

There are plenty of things to look forward to as summer approaches. The Fourth of July, longer days, warm nights, and going to the beach. However, summer sun and wind may also bring with it dust, dirt, sand and pollen that can be tracked in and coat your stone surfaces. Small dust particles can be inhaled causing eye irritations, coughing,…

I Should Have Stone Better

If you’ve ever had your teeth cleaned at the dentist’s office then you know the difference professional care makes. Not just because of the equipment and tools used but also because of the order of care. The dentist knows which steps to take first, second, and last and when you walk out with sparkling teeth, you can’t help but trust…

It’s Sedimentary, my dear Watson

What do marble, limestone, and travertine have in common? For one, they’re all sedimentary stones—although something tells me you knew that already. They actually have more in common than you might think. In fact, these three stone types are so similar that cleaning and maintenance requirements are almost identical due to their similar physical and chemical composition….almost. Here are some…

COLORSeal Your World

Grout can be a pain. A real frustration. No matter how hard you try it just won’t stay clean, come clean, or return to that original appearance. Dirty grout can really affect the aesthetic of a room or space. You could have the most immaculate kitchen on this side of the Mississippi but if grout lines are stained it can…

TileLok’ed and Loaded

You’ve just paid a pretty penny to get your tile floors professionally cleaned and they look great. We generally hear two different stories: 1. Steam cleaned – they look …”hmmm better,” but not brand new. OR2. Stripped, buffed, and waxed, you went the whole nine yards. But as soon as you open up the area to foot traffic, what happens?…

Don’t Count(ertop) Me Out

When you think of granite what are some words that come to mind? Stone? Makes sense. Durable? Still reasonable. Countertops? On a roll here. What about hygienic? Have you ever wondered why granite is the preferred stone for countertops? It seems like every kitchen renovation incorporates this resilient material in some way. It used to be synonymous with status and…

Don’t Mold It Against Me

Nobody likes mold. From finding it on the last slice of bread or in the corners of your stone tile shower. Its appearance is rarely met with anything other than disgust, but have you ever taken the time to learn about it? Most haven’t. Yet a little understanding can often make managing it much easier. Today is your lucky day.…

Good Things Scum To Those Who Wait

Soap scum. Sometimes it seems like you’re in a never-ending battle with the stuff. Because no matter how often you clean your tile shower soap scum will build up from time to time. And it’s not always from lack of effort on your part. Soap scum forms when fatty acids present in soap react with hard water ions—calcium and magnesium.…

Tile We Meet Again

Ceramic tile is a versatile material that can easily be incorporated in a variety of environments. From bathrooms and kitchen floors to walls and countertops, even backsplashes can benefit. But what exactly is ceramic tile? Ceramic tiles are tiles made from clay that have been permanently hardened due to oven-firing and often coated with a glaze. This durable substance can…

The Early Bird Gets The Germ

Natural stone like granite, marble, and travertine can really enhance the aesthetic of a space. There’s just something about having natural materials around that feels right. And the maintenance required for keeping those materials looking their best is the trade-off we make. Stone has an innate appearance of impermeability. It seems so strong and mighty and impervious to damage. But…

Marble Madness

It seems like every building you walk into nowadays has some sort of marble surface. Businesses may have marble floors, walls, or architectural elements. Homes may have marble décor and kitchen countertops. The appeal of marble is historic, justified and backed by a two-millenniums long love affair with this beautiful material. From the historic Parthenon in Athens, Greece completed in…

Smells Like Travertine Spirit

If your home or business contains travertine surfaces then you share something in common with many ancient Romans, who extensively used travertine throughout the iconic Colosseum along with many other structures. Travertine is a type of limestone found near hot springs or limestone caves. It’s similar to marble but has a few main differences. Porosity Travertine is much more porous…

Lifestyles of the Rich and Stainless

While MARBLELIFE is known for its outstanding stone care services and products, we also know a few things about non-stone surfaces. Stainless steel is a popular material choice for kitchens and bathrooms due to its resistance to corrosion and rust. However, just like natural stone, stainless steel has its own vulnerabilities. If dirt, debris, or grime are allowed to settle…

Our Commercial Customers Are Marbleous!

Whether you manage a large business, a small company, an organizations, or a beautiful home, we recognize that you have placed your trust in MARBLELIFE to assist in maintaining the first impression and quality image a well maintained building and floor provide. MARBLELIFE does not take the responsibility lightly. We are honored to be a trusted part of your enterprise…

Our Appreciation Is Carved In Stone

At MARBLELIFE, we take great pride in our products and services, but we would be nothing without our amazing customers. So we’d like to take the time to give a heartfelt thanks to all our residential customers, old and new, for welcoming us into your homes. Whether you called us for a professional cleaning or for a restoration and repair…

Weapons Of Acid Destruction

Despite what you may think, all floors are susceptible to damage. This damage can come from chips or cracks, grime and debris, and, yes, even from the products you use to care for it. In fact, the biggest culprit of stone-and-tile floor wear and damage is the use of improper cleaners and maintenance products. Specifically, those care products that contain…

Proper Countertop Care? Your Wish Is Granite

Did you know granite makes up approximately 70-80% of the Earth’s crust?Like you, the ancient Egyptians transported it hundreds of miles for use as the original coverings for the Great Pyramids. Well, it’s true! The ancient Egyptians recognized that granite could be beautifully polished, and could resist acid attack (yes even then acidic rain existed). Today, we no longer sheath…

The Great Groutsby

If you have tile floors or tile countertops, then you know grout appearance can either enhance the look of a room or do the exact opposite. It’s the difference between “beautiful” and “disgustingly embarrassing.” A source of pride or frustrating depending on one’s success (and understanding) regarding how to maintain these surfaces. The grout between your tiles is the hallmark…

Little Mop of Horrors

It may be time to ditch the mop. You’ve had your good times, but sometimes you just grow apart. When that happens it’s time to move on to bigger and better things. And as time has progressed, we’ve learned that mopping isn’t the best way to clean your floors anyway. Although often used interchangeably, dirty floors and stained grout are…

Don’t Take It For Granite

Granite is one of the world’s hardest and most beautiful countertop materials… when maintained and cared for properly. Acid resistant, it is an ideal kitchen counter top material, able to resist interactions with acidic foods and spills far better than its more sensitive cousin, marble, which is easily etched. Despite its rugged good looks and strong exterior, it is not…

But I sealed my grout?

You did everything right. You picked a beautiful grout color that accents your finishes and looked clean. You clean it regularly and it just gets worse. You have had it professionally cleaned… but the dirty grout comes back. You will be surprised how many new homeowners are surprised to learn they do not have gray grout but…

YES, YOU CAN HAVE A SAFE, CLEAN, GLOSSY MARBLE FLOOR.

Check out the reflectivity and clarity on this floor. One may be hard pressed to believe that less than 8 hours ago, it was a traffic worn, etch covered cause of tears for a well-intended home owner. The simple and unavoidable grinding of dust, dirt and hair underfoot, or the spills of such common household items as soda, coffee, tea,…

Proper Care Of Your Marble, Travertine & Terrazzo Surfaces

Caring For Marble – TravertineMarble is a beautiful natural surface with lots of character. This natural stone comes in many different colors. It is best identified by its veins that can be seen throughout the stone. It typically has a more flowing look to it, almost as though you can see the layers of sediment building up over the years.Travertine…

The Most Often Overlooked Aspect of Bathroom Remodeling – YOUR FLOOR

One of the most often overlooked aspect of bathroom remodeling is the floor- other than matching wall and tile colors. What most people often do not realize is that they can change the color of their grout without the mess, dust and delay of cutting it out or replacing the floor. COLORSEAL applies a durable colored seal to sanded grout…

The Most Often Overlooked Aspect of Bathroom Remodeling – YOUR FLOOR

One of the most often overlooked aspect of bathroom remodeling is the floor- other than matching wall and tile colors. What most people often do not realize is that they can change the color of their grout without the mess, dust and delay of cutting it out or replacing the floor. COLORSEAL applies a durable colored seal to sanded grout…

To Seal My Stone Or Not To Seal, That Is The Question

When in doubt seal – it is less expensive than the cost of removing a stain (which is never guaranteed).There are however instances when you do not need to seal, when NOT in doubt. If your stone has been resonated you will not have to seal it. Resonation is a process the granite slab manufacturers developed to enhance the strength…

Heres A “How To” Guide To Keeping Your Tile & Grout Beautiful

Don’t just seal your grout – Colorseal your grout. Architects will tell you that 95% of their new building complaints about the floors center around “why is my grout staining, if the spec calls for you to seal the grout.” We know the answer. Colorseal was developed to address the root cause once and for all. This technology enables the…

When To Use A Stone Care Professional

If you your surface feels rough, appears dull, stained, chipped or damaged it is unlikely that cleaning will make it any better. In fact, if you are at the point where you are searching for a cleaner that will work because nothing is working – meaning nothing is bringing back your shine, stop and call a professional craftsman. 9 times…

Avoid These Mistakes When Cleaning Your Granite Counter-top

Congratulations! You made an excellent choice in countertop materials. If cleaned and treated properly your granite counter will maintain a like-new appearance for not just years but decades. However, the most important word in that sentence remains the word “IF,” as it is just as easy to create an expensive problem by either failing to care for your investment, or…

Granite Is Indestructible – WRONG!

Cracks, pits, scratches, and dullness do happen to granite and it’s not as hard to do as one might think. A slight scraping of a chair across a floor or an appliance on a countertop can cause damage. Cleaning granite with acidic products causes dullness and eventual unevenness. Learn the secrets to keeping granite looking brand new for years and…

What Kind of Surprise is Your Floor Offering Up this Easter?

Easter eggs and chocolates, or the next cold or flu?Those little ones love the Easter Egg hunt about as much as they like putting those little hands in their mouths. What many may not consider, is that the Easter Egg Hunt holiday season sees us encouraging more contact with the floors. This is a two way street, as little hands…

Grout Gets No Respect!

When we look at our floor it is generally the Tile that we focus on, yet when we are looking at a dirty floor, it’s the grout that is generally the culprit. That said, dirt isn’t the only time our grout can be a problem. What looked so nice in the tile store any those florescent lights, or during the…

Caring For Marble Floors Can Be Easy If You Do It Right!

When You Choose Marble FlooringIt is often thought that marble flooring is pretty much maintenance free since it is all natural stone that has been quarried from mountain ranges. This is not entirely true. While marble is a strong surface and is very wear resistant, it needs special care on a regular basis including cleaning, polishing, and sealing. Protecting marble…

Keeping Your Showers and Tub Surrounds Sparkling!

If you’re sick and tired of your dirty shower area, Marblelife can help! You don’t have to re-tile or replace a thing. It’s all in the products you choose. Whether you do it yourself or let one of our trained Marblelife Service Professionals do the job for you, you’ll have stunning results.The first thing to understand is avoid using any…

Identifying Granite and Quartz

Granite is in high demand these days and for good reason. It’s beautiful, durable, and adds value to your home. But, do you know what granite is and where it came from? Would you know the real deal if you saw it? Here’s what to look for:To begin, granite is a strong natural stone surface derived from mountain rock which…

Tile & Grout – Basic Care

UGLY GROUT? MARBLELIFE® HAS THE SOLUTIONClean, untarnished grout is key to keeping your man-made floors and counter tops looking new. The same cleaning products are used for all manmade tile grout. This includes porcelain, ceramic, Mexican tile, and concrete grout as well as sanded and non-sanded grout. Always contact a MARBLELIFE® professional to help with your purchase. MARBLELIFE® carries products…

Coatings or Impregnators

How do you determine if you should use a coating or an impregnator for your floor? Both have advantages and disadvantages, so how do you know which one to use? Well, let’s identify the terms first. Coatings are a sealer that applies a protective coating or layer on top of a limestone surface. Impregnators are designed to penetrate below the…

Sealing Your New Ceramic Tile

To determine if your ceramic tile needs to be sealed, you will need to determine how absorbent the tile is. Most ceramic tile is nonabsorbent and will not need to be sealed. As with any rule there are however a few exceptions, that do need to be sealed. As technology improves more examples of ceramic and porcelain designed to look…

Should My Granite Countertop Be Sealed

Many argue that granite and other stones do not need to be sealed. This, however, really is not the case. All granite should be sealed. In saying this, remember though, that all granite is not created equal and there are many factors that need to be considered when preparing to chose a sealer for your granite countertop. The purpose of…

Solving A Problem With Your Granite Countertop

Granite is a natural stone which comes in many colors. Granite is mainly made of 30% quartz and 60% feldspar. Granite is resistant to most acids and rarely leaves stains or dull spots. It rarely scratches which makes it a popular choice for many kitchen countertops. Once in a while you will encounter a problem with your granite countertop and…

A Guide to Cleaning Your Old Tile Grout

If you have tile in your home, whether it is a floor, shower wall or in the kitchen; chances are the grout will eventually look dirty or stained. The dirty grout can take away from the beauty of your tile. That dirty grout can be frustrating and hard to clean if you do not know the secret. Have no fear,…

Changing The Color Of Your Existing Grout

Grout is an important part of your tiled area whether it is a floor or wall. Sometimes you just get tired of the color of your grout and want to change it. Other times your grout looks dirty and you just want it to look fresh. Do not worry, this is a fairly easy process that when done properly can…

Repairing a Scratched Granite Countertop

Granite is one of the hardest stones, second only to diamond, a factor that contributes to it being the superior choice for kitchen countertops and floors. As hard as it is, it will still scratch. Drag a pallet with a nail sticking out, and you are going to leave a mark. Removing a granite scratch is not for the faint…

The Importance of Cleaning New Grout

Cleaning your new grout on a tile project is a critical part of keeping your tile looking good. Cleaning it in a timely manner is of most importance. The amount of time you have to do this depends on the type of tile job you have had performed. We will discuss the different styles and times in the following paragraphs.…

Understanding Granite Tile

Homeowners all over have made the choice to use a beautiful but practical natural stone for their interior and exterior projects. Granite is a prime choice because of its versatile look and durability.This natural stone is formed over thousands of years deep inside the earth. It is created by the extreme heat and pressure that is placed on it over…

A Guide For Cleaning Your Marble

Due to its elegance, durability and ageless beauty, stone is being specified and installed in increasing quantities these days. Building activity may be off its high, but stone continues to represent an ever increasing portion of the floors being installed. Architects are specifying granite for floors and walls and using stone in common areas of new office buildings. Designers are…

CHIPS & CRACK REPAIRS SAVE MONEY AND APPEARANCE

Your first thought is “OH NO I AM GOING TO HAVE TO REPLACE IT?” Its chipped or cracked and looks terrible. The good news is we can repair this insitu for substantially less than replacement, and maintain your consistent appearance. What many do not realize is that when working with natural stone such as marble, granite, travertine or limestone even…

Get To Know Your Granite Surfaces

Granite is a beautiful stone as well as being one of the hardest of the natural stone surfaces. Unlike its plastic counterparts, or the composite counters granite offers superior heat resistance. This makes it great for countertop surfaces. Naturally resistant to acid, granite surfaces rarely etch (there are a few calcite containing granites that will etch in the presence of…

Health Benefits Of Removing Shower Mold And Mildew

Just like every other house in America, there is most likely mildew and mold in the showers. This is something that happens to a lot of people but it seems like very few people actually know what the health risks are of having mold and mildew in the showers. The majority of homeowners will admit that they have no idea…

How to care for your marble floors

Marble floors are breathtaking, and can add a lot of value to a person’s home. However, marble floors can be difficult to maintain if one doesn’t fully understand the complexities of the stone. Marble floors are extremely durable and can be placed all throughout the house, yet most often they are found in kitchens and bathrooms. They are comprised of…

Kitchen Renovations – Marble and Granite Countertops

In today’s world, everyone wants their house to look as beautiful as what royals had in yester years. Many places in the house which had, till now, been ignored are getting the much needed attention they required. The Kitchen has received a major part of this attention, a number of natural stones and synthetic materials are being used for making…

The Key To A Good-Looking Stone

Stone surfaces can appear dull and dirty with time, despite your best cleaning efforts, and sometimes perhaps because of them. Stone floors lose their high polish over time. Traffic areas develop at entrances and turn areas, where we see the highest concentration of feet, and the most pivoting. Table and counter tops show light scratches and dull areas across the…

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