Luxury home cleaning with a personal touch

Clean marble with warm water and a pH-neutral cleaner made for stone, using a soft microfiber cloth, then dry it. Marble is sensitive to acids, so the gentlest method is also the safest.

• Wipe spills right away, especially wine, citrus, coffee, and tomato.
• Use coasters and trivets to prevent etching and heat marks.
• Dry the surface after cleaning to avoid water spots.
• Avoid scrub pads and powders, which can scratch the polish.

Dull spots called etching are a change in the stone surface itself, so a stone restoration professional is the right person to polish them out. The Natural Stone Institute publishes care guides for marble and other natural stone.

Avoid anything acidic or abrasive on marble, travertine, limestone, and onyx. Those stones contain calcium, and acids react with it, leaving dull etch marks.

• Vinegar, lemon, and other citrus-based cleaners
• Bathroom and tile cleaners made for soap scum or lime
• Bleach and ammonia used straight or often
• Scouring powders, scrub pads, and abrasive creams
• General-purpose cleaners without a stone-safe label

Granite and quartzite are tougher, but a pH-neutral stone cleaner is still the safest daily choice, and it protects the sealer. For product guidance by stone type, see the stone care guides. All Shiny's teams use stone-safe products on every visit to homes with natural stone.

Between visits, focus on quick protection rather than deep cleaning: wipe spills right away, keep surfaces dry, and reduce the grit and moisture that cause wear.

• Blot spills on stone and fine wood immediately with a soft cloth.
• Use felt pads under decor and furniture that moves.
• Keep entry mats in place to catch sand before it reaches stone floors.
• Dust with microfiber, which lifts dust without scratching.
• Keep humidity steady with air conditioning, especially in closed homes.

Leave detailed work to your regular team, and share notes about anything that needs attention so it is handled on the next visit.

Look for a company that treats your home with its own plan: a walkthrough, a written scope, the right products for your materials, and a consistent team.

• Insurance, with a certificate available on request
• Experience with marble, natural stone, fine wood, and designer fixtures
• A personal checklist that records your preferences and priority rooms
• Clear rules for privacy, keys, codes, and staff conduct
• The ability to coordinate with your house manager or rental manager
• A clear contact for questions and changes

All Shiny's luxury home care starts with a walkthrough and a personal plan for each home.

Because the wrong product can cause lasting damage to a surface. Acids etch marble, abrasives scratch polished finishes, and harsh chemicals can strip sealers or discolor metal.

Each material has its own needs. Natural stone needs pH-neutral cleaners. Stainless steel needs non-abrasive products wiped with the grain. Hardwood needs very little water. Glass needs a streak-free method, and brass or other living finishes may need only a dry cloth. Using the right product also makes cleaning faster, because the surface comes clean without extra scrubbing.

All Shiny trains its team to identify surfaces and match products to each one.

Start with a room-by-room list, then add the details that make large homes different: high surfaces, special materials, and how each space is used.

• Every room by name, including guest suites, pool baths, and wine rooms
• High work: fans, chandeliers, crown molding, and tall windows
• Material notes: which surfaces are marble, stone, fine wood, or lacquer
• Glass: sliders, railings, shower enclosures, and mirrors
• Linens: when to change, and where fresh sets are stored
• Presentation: pillows, throws, and how each room should be staged
• Rooms to skip or handle only on request, such as an office

Share photos of how you like each room to look, and keep the checklist with the company so every visit matches it.