Marble floors are made from metamorphic rock that reaches a high degree of crystallization due to high temperatures and pressures. To make these floors achieve a natural shine, they will need to undergo regular marble polishing. Otherwise, its appearance could be heavily affected by stains, spills, and dirt – like what would happen if floor polishing isn’t done.

Fortunately, you can maintain your marble floor’s appearance easily by polishing it yourself. Just make sure to adhere to the following guidelines:

Materials Needed

• A mild detergent
• A marble sealer
• A brush
• Sponge and three or four soft cloths
• Commercial marble cleaner
• A stain removal poultice 

 

1. Clean Your Marble Floors 

The first step in polishing marble floors is to rid the floor of any forms of dirt. Failing to do this will make it difficult for you to polish your floors in the future.

Whatever your method of marble floor polishing, always start by wiping your floors with a soft dry cloth to remove any dust and crumbs. You can also use a soft broom to gather any loose dirt and debris into a pile. Make sure to inspect any corners and spaces that are susceptible to dirt build-up. You can also remove any carpets, rugs, and other furniture so you can clean the space underneath.

Next, wet the surface with a damp sponge then apply a commercially approved marble cleaner. Alternatively, you can add a couple of drops of mild non-abrasive detergent to your damp cloth to use as a cleaner.

Whichever product you use for marble polishing, make sure to apply it across the marble. This can help to remove any stains on the marble floor.

Lastly, use a clean, damp cloth to wipe the marble and dry it with a chamois or a soft unused cloth.

Important Note: Never use vinegar and any abrasive chemicals to clean marble. If you do, you may etch the polish and leave dull spots. This is a mistake you should always avoid when doing DIY marble polishing.

 

2. Mop Your Marble Floors

After cleaning your marble floors, you can proceed to mop them to remove any dirt or grime. 

One helpful marble polishing tip you should remember is to clean your marble floors with hot distilled water. This will better eliminate any impurities and bacteria than using cold water. It’s also best not to use any non-marble cleaning solutions as these can cause permanent marks. 

As a guide to DIY marble floor polishing, use a damp mop instead of a drenched mop. The reason for this is that the water that leaks from the mop could get stuck between the marble floors’ spongy surfaces. Rinse the mop inside a bucket of clean water and squeeze it whenever it dries up or absorbs a lot of dirt. If the mop is dirty, you can just pour out the water and refill it with clean water. This will prevent you from making your floors even dirtier.

Once you’re finished mopping, check closely to see if it is clean enough for you before continuing to polish your marble floors. If not, repeat the mopping process again. You may just need to apply another round of hot water so any dirt and stains are eliminated. 

 

3. Eliminate All Stains 

If your marble flooring has stains left by food or other household uses, you will need to eliminate them as part of the marble restoration process. For this step, you can create homemade poultice by mixing hydrogen peroxide, four tablespoons of water, and a bit of baking soda.

No matter how often you do marble polishing for marble floors, always completely spread the poultice over any stained areas using a clean brush.

Cover the paste with plastic wrap and make sure the edges are taped down.

Leave the poultice in place for 24 to 48 hours until it has totally dried. Afterward, remove the plastic, mop up the poultice with a wet soft sponge, and dry the area with a damp cloth and clean towel. Drying the floor is an essential step for many floor polishing works.

 

4. Rinse and Dry To Prevent Etching

Marble floors can incur minor etching due to acidic foods and cleaners. If you’re wondering whether you should do DIY floor polishing instead of hiring a professional, take note of the following procedures to prevent etching:

Make sure to properly rinse off the poultice applied to your marble floors. 

Next, wipe off any remaining poultice with a damp cloth and dry it using a soft unused cloth. 

Avoid air drying the area and see to it that no moisture remains as this could damage the marble floors. Failing to do this may become a reason why DIY marble polishing is not effective. 

 

5. Seal Your Marble Floors 

Sealing is a step that professionals may take when polishing marble floors. Although this does not entirely prevent stains, it can help your marble floor resist major stains and appear shinier. Leaving your floors unsealed can make them less robust and more prone to damage and staining. Many professional floor polishing services recommend sealing your marble floors every 3 to 6 years so it remains in good condition and lasts longer.

Prepare a good marble sealing compound commonly used for marble floor services and spray or pour it directly onto your marble floors.

Spread the sealant over all surfaces with a clean, soft, and dry cloth and allow it to soak into the marble. Doing this properly will positively affect how long your polished marble floors will last.

Using another clean dry cloth and in circular motions, buff the sealing compound into the marble until it has thoroughly seeped into the stone and the marble dries. This will better ensure that the marble floor is restored.

Finish polishing once you feel that the marble is smooth to touch and has achieved a high gloss level. 

One of the myths about marble polishing is that sealing should be done always. You can check if your floor needs resealing by pouring some water onto it. If the water is absorbed and darkens the floor, it might be a sign that you’ll have to perform the sealing process again.

 

6. Maintaining Your Marble Floors Shine

Just because you’ve finished polishing your marble floors doesn’t mean they no longer require maintenance. If you want to maintain your marble floors’ shine, there are several tips you can follow:

• Regular Dry Cleaning: One way of maintaining marble floors after completing marble polishing is to dry clean it regularly using a soft cloth or dust mop. This can be done once a week if you’re the only one in your home. For larger families though, it’s best to perform this step almost daily. Otherwise, your floors could experience dust build-up.
• Clean Any Spills Immediately: Whenever there are accidental spills on your marble floors, you should remove them right away, so they don’t get deeply embedded in the floors’ openings. This will also help prevent difficult stains from developing.
• Blot The Floors Instead of Scrubbing: If you need to remove stains on your marble floors, always make sure to blot them and to never scrub them. These stains should also be cleaned with lots of water to prevent etching.
• Use Carpets and Rugs: In case there is a lot of foot traffic in your home, it’s recommended that you buy carpets or rugs. Doing so will help protect your marble floors from sand, dirt, and other particles.

 

Conclusion

Marble floors look precious and beautiful especially when they are newly purchased. However, ensuring the marble floors are polished regularly is needed for their appearance to be maintained. Using the steps provided above, you are sure to give your marble floors a clean and spotless look. 

Make sure to clean your marble floors first so they are easy to polish. After that, you should mop them to remove any dirt or debris. Once this is done, you should eliminate any stains using homemade poultice then rinse and dry your floors to prevent etching. Finally, remember to seal your marble floors and follow some helpful tips to maintain their shine. In case you lack the time to conduct DIY marble floor polishing and need assistance in polishing your marble floor, consider contacting DW Floor Polishing Singapore. 

 

DW Floor Polishing Singapore provides the quickest solution for all your floor polishing needs. Our responsive customer service support team and experienced floor polishing technicians ensure that customers have the utmost pleasant experience engaging our services. We provide one-stop floor polishing services including Marble Polishing, Marble Floor Polishing, Marble Whitening, Marble Stain Removal, Marble Restoration, and more!  Do not hesitate to contact us via WhatsApp at +65 8241 0032 if you have any queries about our marble floor polishing services. Our professionals are more than happy to assist you as well as provide recommendations on the steps to take to resolve your floor polishing needs!