The Right Way to Clean Marble, Tiles, Granite and Kota Stone Floors

Most Indian homes aren't one single floor type end to end — marble in the living room, tiles in the kitchen, granite on the balcony, maybe Kota stone in an older section of the house. Cleaning all of it the same way isn't wrong exactly, but understanding what each surface actually needs helps it stay looking newer for longer.

Marble

Marble is porous and reacts to acidic substances — lemon juice, vinegar, and some harsher acidic cleaners can etch its surface over time, leaving dull spots that don't polish out easily. For marble, a pH-balanced, non-acidic cleaner diluted properly is the safer long-term choice. Wipe up spills quickly, especially anything acidic like citrus or tomato-based food, and avoid letting water pool on marble for extended periods.

Tiles and ceramic

Tiles are generally the most forgiving surface in the house — dense, non-porous, and resistant to most everyday cleaners. The real challenge with tiles is usually the grout between them, which is more porous and prone to trapping dirt. A slightly more thorough pass with a bit more cleaning solution along grout lines, done occasionally rather than every day, keeps them from darkening over time.

Granite

Granite is tough and heat-resistant, but like marble it can be sensitive to certain harsh chemicals over years of exposure, which may gradually affect its sealant and shine. A gentle, consistent cleaning routine — rather than occasional aggressive scrubbing — tends to preserve granite's natural polish better.

Kota stone

Kota stone is common in older and budget-friendly Indian homes, valued for being naturally cool underfoot and reasonably durable. It's porous, though, and can absorb stains if spills sit too long. Regular mopping with a proper dilution, plus the occasional damp-mop-only pass to avoid oversaturating the stone, keeps it looking consistent.

Different floors, same basic principle: the right dilution, applied consistently, beats an aggressive clean applied occasionally.

A dilution rule that works across all of them

Rather than switching products for every surface, using one well-formulated cleaner at the correct concentration — 2 capfuls (about 40ml) in 5 litres of water, for example — tends to be gentle enough for marble and granite while still being effective enough for tiles and Kota stone. Save the slightly stronger concentration only for tough, localised stains rather than the whole floor.

The floors that hold up best over the years usually aren't the ones treated most cautiously or most aggressively — they're the ones cleaned the same sensible way, consistently, week after week.