How to prevent hazy streaks on polished marble floors?« Back to Previous Page

The cloudy white streaks are likely a residue called "hazing," caused by mineral deposits from hard water and soap scum from the cleaner. Dubai's water is very hard, and when it evaporates on the marble's surface, it leaves behind calcium and magnesium that create this film. Using any soap-based or acidic cleaner will accelerate this problem, as it etches the polished surface and traps more residue.

For daily maintenance, use a clean, microfiber flat mop instead of a string mop, which just pushes dirty water around. The only product you should use on polished marble is pure, neutral-pH water. If you must use a cleaner, it must be a stone-specific, pH-neutral product designed for polished marble—never a generic floor cleaner. Look for cleaners certified by stone institutes to ensure they won't damage the surface.

In the UAE climate, with constant AC use creating condensation and high dust levels, mopping should be done with water that is damp, not wet, and the floor should be immediately dried with a separate, clean, dry microfiber cloth to prevent any standing water from evaporating and leaving deposits. This is the most critical step to prevent hazing.

If the hazing has already built up, it may require a professional stone restorer to re-polish the surface and apply a proper sealant. The initial polish from a few months ago may not have included a high-quality impregnating sealer, which is essential in our humid environment to protect the stone from within. A reputable professional can assess if the haze is on the surface or if the polish itself has been compromised.