Waht causes white haze on marble floors and how to stop it?« Back to Previous Page

That white haze is efflorescence, a crystallized salt deposit being pushed to the surface from the marble's pores. It's a common issue here, driven by two main factors: the high humidity in our air and the water used for mopping. The moisture dissolves salts present in the marble or the subfloor screed, and as it evaporates in our AC-cooled homes, it leaves the salts behind as that white, powdery film.

To stop it, you must address the moisture source. Use a damp mop with distilled or de-mineralized water instead of tap water, which contains its own dissolved minerals. Immediately dry the floor thoroughly with a clean, dry microfiber cloth after mopping to prevent any standing water from being absorbed. Ensure your home's humidity levels are controlled with properly functioning AC, as high indoor humidity will exacerbate the problem. For severe, recurring cases, the issue may be moisture wicking from the subfloor; this requires a professional inspection to identify the source and may involve sealing the marble from below, a more intensive corrective procedure.