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Marble Polishing Guide: Tips, DIY Methods, and Best Products

How do I make my marble shiny again?

Marble Polishing

Marble polishing is a treatment that tries to make the stone look more radiant, particularly in situations when the floor is opaque or yellowed. Examples of these situations include outdoor installations where the marble is exposed to direct sunshine or continuous airborne pollutants.

Marble polishing is the process of actually removing the worn-out layer and surface from a marble floor in order to restore its smooth, consistent, and undamaged surface. The purpose of shining, a subsequent marble polishing procedure, is to bring back the stone's sheen and brilliance, which can erode with repeated use and wear. It is common to use both names interchangeably.

The process of polishing marble involves the use of both chemical compounds and abrasive tools, such as a professional "sander" machine for granite and marble that uses successively finer-grained discs. Chemical compounds are applied during the final marble polishing step to create a polished marble surface that resembles a mirror.

Therefore, polishing is both a mechanical process using a specialised marble polishing machine to restore the original splendour and lustre of the stone, if lost or diminished with time and wear, and a finish applied by skilled marble workers to obtain the classic polished marble surface. These are without a doubt the most effective and recommended techniques for properly cleaning marble. However, if you have a marble floor, wall covering, bathroom counter or kitchen top that is slightly opaque or has a few small areas that have lost their original lustre, there are also easily accessible tips and methods that can be used to clean and polish the marble or just revitalise it.

How to clean marble floors: A guide to marble polishing

Because marble floors are constantly subjected to foot traffic and, in the case of outdoor marble floors, the weather, they are without a doubt the surface that requires polishing the most. Few experts know how to properly polish marble floors since hiring a cleaning firm is not enough to ensure a high-quality, long-lasting finish.

The process of polishing marble floors is highly specialised and calls for a marble floor polishing equipment, technical know-how, and knowledge—all of which are necessary to fully restore the stone's beauty. This is the reason it's always a good idea to get in touch with knowledgeable businesses in the industry; just keep in mind that there are businesses that focus just on providing marble floor polishing services and are thus aware of the best marble floor cleaners and polishes. These activities frequently even represent a customary family legacy, with methods and techniques passed down from one generation to the next. For this reason, certain chores, like cleaning marble floors, are still the domain of a select few professionals.

A method known as "lead polishing" was once the primary method for polishing marble floors. Due to the limitations of this technology (such as the poisonous nature of lead and the shorter polishing time due to chemical synthesis), we have advanced to safer and more straightforward technologies.

Experts in marble floor polishing are aware that the most efficient and long-lasting method available today is diamond polishing; also, this mechanical process uses far less water and produces less dirt.

Special waxes are "spread" over the floor that has to be repaired as an additional method of polishing marble floors. Nevertheless, the quality of the results produced by this method is inferior to that of marble floor polishing services using diamonds. Wax is typified by a persistent issue or the development of a kind of film that is short-lived, susceptible to damage from certain shoes, and unable to conceal scratches or other flaws already present on the stone's surface. Thanks to advancements in technology, marble floor owners may now afford to engage in activities like diamond floor polishing, eliminating the need for more expensive alternatives like wax polishing.

How To Polish Marble by DIY

In the event that the surface only requires minor restoration or is opacified in a few select areas, it is possible to present a number of straightforward handmade marble polish solutions once it is evident that only professionals and experts in the field know precisely how to polish marble floors if the floor conditions are not the best.

Firstly, marble polishing can only be carried out following a thorough cleaning of the surface. Generally speaking, natural DIY marble floor polishing materials may be used for marble cleaning and polishing. This is due to the possibility of marble material damage if items not made expressly for it are used, such as when using an acidic or strong detergent. Prior to washing the surface with a solution of warm water and a few teaspoons of Marseille soap, the dust must first be removed using a soft cloth. The surface should then be gently wiped with the same soft cloth. 

In actuality, Marseille soap is a natural and specialised substance that has long been advised for the regular upkeep of this superior stone. Lastly, use lukewarm water to rinse the floor to ensure that there are no soap residues left behind that might cause it to become stuck.

Let's see how to polish marble by hand once the surface has been cleaned. We wish to concentrate on two cures for DIY marble polish: sodium bicarbonate and woollen cloth.

In the first instance, the area to be polished is rubbed vigorously with a woollen cloth soaked in a small amount of warm water, being sure to rub in a clockwise or anticlockwise circular motion.

However, in the second scenario, sodium bicarbonate is another naturally occurring substance that has abrasive and polishing properties if the floor or surface requires a stronger abrasive action. In order to create an abrasive paste that can be applied to the surface that needs to be polished or the areas that need to be repaired, combine a few teaspoons of bicarbonate with a small amount of water. This is the best way to polish marble.

Whenever marble polishing is done by hand, it is always advisable to test the product's effectiveness on a small, barely noticeable area to make sure it is not too aggressive and could damage the surface. This goes double for sodium bicarbonate, Marseille soap, or any other type of detergent. These, however, are simple DIY solutions that don't require the assistance of a qualified expert.

In the end, tasks like marble smoothing or polishing by hand can be completed with the aid of natural remedies, but only under extreme caution if the surface conditions are not critical. In this situation, hiring professionals is necessary to obtain polished marble because they are experts at polishing marble floors, countertops, and other surfaces to perfection using specialised equipment, marble polishing pads, and products.

Marble Polishing Products

We mostly concentrated on natural materials among the many options for the finest marble polish since, generally speaking, they are more sensitive and unlikely to seriously harm the marble (so even less skilled hands may use them). These marble polishing materials include woollen cloth, sodium bicarbonate, and Marseille soap.

Additionally, specialist products for treating marble may be found online. Marble polishing powder and granules fall into this category; they are items that are applied to the surface, moistened, and rubbed to provide an abrasive effect (much as bicarbonate). Additionally, depending on the kind of marble that has to be polished, specialised abrasive marble polishing paste may be found.

Another substance for polishing marble is wax. A genuine marble polishing kit with marble polishing pads for applying wax is available on the market. But we think that applying the wax is not something that can be done by just about everyone or by makeshift workers. For this reason, we advise against wasting time and money looking for certain products, which may potentially have unfavourable effects, in addition to natural marble polishing products. 

It is important to get in touch with experts in the area to ensure the outcome and maintain the integrity and beauty of the marble if natural solutions and products for marble polishing, including baking soda and Marseille soap, are ineffective.

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