Polished Marble - How to Clean, Seal and Protect

Polished Marble - How to Clean, Seal and Protect

Image of Polished Marble Tile

Polished Marble Care Instructions for Cleaning and Sealing

Table of Contents:

What is Polished Marble?

  • According to the Marble Institute of America, a polished marble finish has a glossy surface that reflects light and emphasizes the color and veins of the stone.
  • Polished marble is finished to a high sheen that shows off the beauty and grain of the stone. However, the finish can be slick and slippery, especially when wet.

What are the Differences between Honed and Polished Marble?

  • Honed marble has been ground to a smooth, flat consistent, non-shiny surface, matte look and velvet-like touch.
  • Polished marble is the opposite! A polished surface creates a beautiful glossy shine from the natural reflection of the stone’s crystals.
  • Honed marble is more resistant to scratches because it is a matted finish. Even if honed marble does get scratched, it is less noticeable because the scratch won’t be as easy to see when light reflects off it.
  • Polished marble scratches are more visible.
  • Honed marble is more susceptible to stains than polished marble.
  • When it gets wet, honed marble is less slippery than polished marble. Honed marble is better for high-traffic areas and areas that may get wet and become slippery.
  • Polished marble is a poor option for flooring in areas that may get wet because is more slippery when wet than honed marble.
  • Honed marble is achieved by polishing with gritty abrasives until the surface is smooth to the eye, but still has many small flaws that prevent a shiny appearance.
  • After being honed, polished marble is sanded with smaller and smaller abrasives until surface flaws are removed and the marble is a smooth as possible.

How NOT to Clean Polished Marble:

  • DON’T use vinegar, bleach, ammonia other general purpose cleaners, bathroom cleaners or tub and tile cleaners. Household chemicals are not formulated to clean polished marble.
  • DON’T use abrasive cleaners such as dry cleansers or soft cleansers.
  • DON’T use scouring pads that will scratch the surface of the stone. White polishing pads are best.
  • DON’T use alkaline cleaners not specifically formulated for marble. High pH alkaline cleaners will remove the sealer.
  • DON’T use cleaners containing chelating agents (water softeners), such as EDTA, NTA and polyphosphates.
  • DON’T use a vacuum cleaner with a beater bar - it will scratch the marble floor.
  • DON’T wear high heels on polished marble floors.
  • DON’T allow clawed animals free reign on polished marble floors.
  • DON’T allow the sealer to wear out - keep it replenished!

How TO Clean and Care for Polished Marble:

  • DO use walk-off mats on polished marble entry floors. Grit is often harder than marble and is the main cause of scratches, especially in floors. Remember to wash off the mat frequently to remove the accumulated dirt.
  • DO use dust mops before mopping floors and dust mop regularly, preferably with a high-quality microfiber mop.
  • DO blot up spills immediately to minimize permanent damage to the stone.
  • DO clean surfaces regularly with a neutral cleaner designed for stone, such as All Purpose Stone & Tile Cleaner Concentrate or a neutral cleaner with sealer in it such as StoneTech™ Revitalizer™ Stone Cleaner and Seal Refresher.
  • DO use bath rugs around toilet and floor mats for marble and limestone floors.
  • DO use soft towels or microfiber towels.
  • DO wipe up spills quickly. Do not allow them to sit for an extended period of time.
  • DO replenish the sealer when spills no longer bead up on the marble. Use StoneTech sealers such as those listed below for best results.

READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS AND PRODUCT LABELS COMPLETELY BEFORE USING.

Pretest in an inconspicuous area prior to application to determine if the desire results will be achieved and that the stone is not adversely affected.

New Installations:

How to strip off any existing topical acrylic, urethane, epoxy, heavy wax coatings and epoxy grout haze from marble:

  1. Mask off and protect any baseboards or adjacent areas to avoid splashing and overspray onto surfaces not intended to be treated.
  2. Sweep or dust mop loose dirt and debris.
  3. Apply an even coat using a chemical-resistant paintbrush, roller or deck brush.
  4. Allow stripper to dwell for 20 minutes to 2 hours or as long as needed to soften coating. Heavy Duty Coating Stripper will remain active for up to 24 hours.
  5. Agitate well using a stiff nylon bristle scrub brush, stiff bristle push broom or a weighted floor machine at 130-140 lbs., 175 rpm, fitted with a scrub brush attachment.
  6. Rinse well with clean water and mop, sponge or wet vacuum to remove the remaining cleaning solution. A hard surface extraction wand and portable or truck mounted extraction machine may be used. Repeat the rinsing and wet vacuum process to insure that all dirt, soil and cleaner residue have been removed.

How to Clean Grease, Oil, Dirt, Dry Soil and Soap Scum off Marble:

  1. Mask off and protect any baseboards or adjacent areas to avoid splashing and overspray onto surfaces not intended to be treated.
  2. Sweep or dust mop loose dirt and debris.
  3. Strip off all topical finishes such as waxes and coatings.
  4. Prepare a solution of Stone Tech Professional Klenz-All™ heavy-duty alkaline cleaner and degreaser mixed with warm or hot water as suggested below:
  5. Apply Klenz-All using a low-pressure chemical-resistant sprayer, sponge or mop.
  6. Agitate well using a stiff nylon bristle scrub brush, stiff bristle push broom or a weighted floor machine at 130 lbs.-140 lbs., 175 rpm, fitted with a scrub brush attachment.
  7. Rinse well with clean water and mop, sponge or wet vacuum to remove the remaining cleaning solution. A hard surface extraction wand and portable or truck mounted extraction machine may be used. Repeat the rinsing and wet vacuum process to insure that all dirt, soil and cleaner residue have been removed.
  8. To remove deep or stubborn oil stains not completely removed by Klenz-All, let the surface dry and use StoneTech Professional Oil Stain Remover.

Mechanical Refinishing of Polished Marble:

For scratch, etch and wear pattern removal and to restore the surface to an even finish. Depending on the severity of the damage to the stone and/or the desired surface appearance, choose one or more of the grit levels of the StoneTech Professional Marble Honing Powders 180/280/400/600/800, StoneTech Professional Polishing Powder appropriate.

Refinishing marble to a honed finish:

  1. Sweep or vacuum all dust, dirt and debris.
  2. Mask off and protect any baseboards or adjacent areas to avoid splashing and overspray onto surfaces not intended to be treated.
  3. Strip off all topical finishes such as waxes and coatings.
  4. Liberally apply Honing Powder to the stone surface.
  5. Add water to form a milk-like consistency.
  6. Refinish using a hand orbital sander or weighted floor machine at 130 lbs. 140 lbs., 175 rpm, fitted with a natural hair pad.
  7. Keep compound wet with plenty of water while refinishing. Add Honing Powder as needed.
  8. Refinish area until the desired level of hone has been achieved.
  9. Rinse well and use a wet vacuum to remove all excess compound.
  10. Clean equipment with water.

Refinishing marble to a polish:

  1. Sweep or vacuum all dust, dirt and debris.
  2. Mask off and protect any baseboards or adjacent areas to avoid splashing and overspray onto surfaces not intended to be treated.
  3. Strip off all topical finishes such as waxes and coatings.
  4. Use successively higher grits of Honing Powder to close the face of the stone.
  5. Liberally apply Polishing Powder to the stone surface.
  6. Add water to form a milk-like consistency.
  7. Refinish using a hand orbital sander or weighted floor machine at 130 lbs. - 140 lbs., 175 rpm, fitted with a Gorilla® Hogs Hair Natural Hair Floor Pad.
  8. Refinish area until the desired level of polish has been achieved.
  9. Rinse well and use a wet vacuum to remove all excess compound.
  10. Clean equipment with water.

Sealing & Protecting Marble:

Natural stone surfaces must be sealed to prevent or minimize staining. Leaving natural stone untreated may greatly hinder the complete removal of stains in the future. The following suggestions are for impregnating the stone and will allow the stone to breathe. Allow new installations to cure for 72 hours prior to applying sealer.

Stone and Marble Care, Protection, Sealing and Polishing Information:

Marble Cleaning, Sealing and Polishing Products:

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