Whether your Krishna Idol is well decorated or your Ganesh Laxmi Idol is correctly placed, nothing is going to stop your idols from getting a little bit of dirt and dust on them. This is why it is essential to clean them from time to time.
While cleaning idols should not be an issue, cleaning idols of marble can be a little tricky. Marble has been utilised for ornamental reasons since antiquity.
Heat and pressure turn limestone of calcium carbonate (a crystal form of calcium carbonate) into marble after being layered with other materials.
Despite being transparent, marble enables light to pass through and emits a pleasant glow. It can be quite nicely polished. Because of its characteristics, this stone may be used to create sculptures.
When fine-grained, the material is soft and simple to shape, and it has the same qualities in all directions.
Marble sculptures come in a variety of forms, sizes, and hues. Many like to use Lord Ganesh Murti, Radha Krishna Murti, or Shiv linga in white stone. Also, it is said that Ganesh murti should be white to bring prosperity; hence people prefer marble stone-made Ganesh idols at home.
Apart from that, other idols such as the cow, calf, elephant etc., can also be kept in the house for decorative purposes can also be made with marble stone.
Hence, you should know how to keep them clean. You will get all the cleaning tips here.
How to Clean Marble God Statue
Whether you keep your marble murti in your house or on your car dashboard, it needs routine care and maintenance to retain its flawless, delicate appearance.
To safely remove dirt and debris, clean your marble idol regularly with a moderate, pH-balanced substance. A poultice can eliminate deep spots that a standard cleaning solution cannot.
General Cleaning Of Marble Idols
Materials Required
You will require these materials to clean the dirt from marble stone -
- - Mild dish detergent or stone soap
- - Bucket
- - Cloth or sponge
- - Towel
- - Baking soda or clay powder
- - Hydrogen peroxide (12% strength)
- - Plastic knife or spatula
- - Plastic wrap
- - Tape
Procedure
You should follow the below procedure after arranging the cleaning materials for the marble idol -
- - Put 1-gallon warm water and 1 to 2 tablespoons of mild dish detergent or stone cleaner in a bucket
- - After soaking the marble idol in soap and warm water, wipe it down with a sponge or towel.
- - Rinse the sponge or towel often in the bucket.
- - Rinse the marble idol well and wipe it with a towel to remove debris.
Precautions to take
Some precautions to take while cleaning the marble idol -
- - Touching marble generates yellow-brown stains since it retains skin oils
- - Avoid using vinegar, bleach, ammonia, other all-purpose cleaners, tub and tile cleaners, and other home cleaners.
- - Harsh dry or soft cleaners should be avoided.
- - Use alkaline cleansers that are designed for stone.
How to Remove Stains from Marble Idol Surfaces?
To remove stains from marble idols' surfaces, follow this procedure -
- Make a paste using hydrogen peroxide and baking soda or clay powder.
- If there are any discolored spots, apply a thick layer of poultice to them with a plastic knife or spatula.
- Wrap the area with plastic wrap and secure it with tape. Remove and discard the poultice once it has dried for 24 hours.
- To check if the poultice is dry, remove the plastic wrap. Cover the plastic wrap and keep it like that for another 24 hours.
- Peel the poultice off the stone statue with a plastic knife or spatula once it has dried fully.
- The marble idol should be cleaned off with a cloth to remove any poultice residue.
Tips for Maintaining Marble Idols
1. Use Mild Soap or Detergent
When washing your murti, always use a pH-neutral detergent. These products are mild on the surface and may be used on marble due to their pH neutrality.
However, they are less successful at removing stubborn stains than acidic and alkaline treatments.
2. Clean Spills Immediately
The porous matrix of marble will absorb residual water, spills, and stains. Whenever this happens, marble gets damaged or discolored. Using a moist cloth (preferably microfiber), dab up the spill.
3. Use Of Marble Sealer
Your marble idols will last longer if they are sealed. This is something that almost anyone with a little imagination can do. Marble sealers can be purchased from home supply stores.
Black Diamond spray is a fantastic alternative. This solution is simple to safeguard your marble against spills and grease.
4. Do Not Allow Marble Idols To Air Dry
The drying of marble statues in the air is hazardous. During the air drying process of the statue, water and chemicals are absorbed by the marble. The effect will be discoloration or stains.
Conclusion
Solubility issues with marble surfaces are common among conservators.
Surfaces typically acquire coating materials, waxes, polishes, and residues from previous treatments (detergents, soaps, cleaning salts of acid and bases, and so on), causing them to become opaque and potentially hard to remove.
You can preserve the beauty of marble idols by taking adequate care and expertise.
