Marble is a popular material because it is both elegant and practical. This stylish material is durable; making it an ideal option if you want flooring that can withstand a lot of traffic. It is sturdy but it also tends to be porous and can stain easily. This makes it necessary to polish it to keep it looking good for longer periods.
Type of Marble
It is important to identify the type of marble on your floor to determine the most appropriate polishing technique to use. Marble flooring can either be natural or cultured. If you are not sure about the kind of marble, place your hand on the flooring to find out if it is cool or warm.
Natural marble tends to be cooler than the surroundings. Cultured marble will probably be the same temperature as your surroundings. Pour a couple of drops of vinegar on your flooring to determine if it is cultured or natural. If the flooring is natural, you will notice some bubbles when your pour the vinegar. Vinegar is a form of acid and for this reason; you should wipe it off as soon as possible to prevent damaging your floor.
Clean and Dry
Marble is soft in spite of being strong and this makes it prone to scratches. This material should be cleaned thoroughly before it is polished. Use a dry dust mop or cloth to remove grit, dust, and dirt from the flooring. If there is any grime, use a soft cloth and some warm water to clean it. You can use a mild soap if necessary. Use a damp cloth to rinse it well and then dry it with a clean cloth.
Polishing Natural Marble
To polish your natural marble flooring, mix some water and baking soda. Add about 3 tablespoons of baking soda to about one litre of water. Use a cloth to apply this mixture to the surface. Make sure there is a thin layer of the mixture. Once this is done, allow the mixture to dry on the floor for almost 5 hours. Use some warm water and a clean cloth to rinse the surface. When the surface is well rinsed, use a chamois or micro fiber cloth to buff the marble. Use circular motions when buffing.
Adding Sealant
You can choose to add some sealant to the marble flooring after you polish it. Sealant helps to protect your flooring. Purchase some marble sealant in a local home goods or hardware store. It is important to follow the instructions on the sealant carefully. There are certain parts of the marble flooring that should not be sealed such as wood trim. Use some masking tape on these areas to make sure they do not come into contact with the sealant. Spray sealant is an ideal choice because it makes it easy for you to spread it on the surface.
Use the sealant liberally and ensure the flooring is totally wet. Allow it to sit on the surface for between 15 and 30 minutes before you dry it off with a clean cloth. Use a second coat of sealant on the flooring and allow it to sit for a similar period before drying it. The flooring should not be used for between 6 and 8 hours after you apply the sealant. This will allow it to cure. Sealant should be use at least once after a year or two but this will depend on how often the flooring is used.
Cultured Marble
This type of marble usually comes with a protective layer, making it less prone to scratches. Use a mild household cleaner to get rid of dirt on the flooring and then dry it off using a clean cloth.
Polishing
To polish cultured marble, you need a compound that is specifically designed for this type of flooring. Follow the instructions on the package. Carnauba wax is also a good choice for cultured marble. To polish and seal the cultured marble, use gel polishing products.
But sealing is not necessary for this kind of flooring because the surface is sealed during manufacture. Proper maintenance will keep your marble flooring sparkling several years after it is installed. But it is important to use appropriate cleaning and polishing products to avoid damaging your flooring.