Often the “go to” stone when people think about countertops, marble has been a staple in the market for decades. The timeless look and elegance of marble are some of its selling points. So how can you best clean and polish marble countertops to maintain that look?
That’s what we are aiming to answer in this article, as well as give you some tips on how to take care of your marble countertop and protect your investment.
How to Polish Marble Countertops: Products and Practices
Marble is a very delicate stone. For that reason, it is never recommended to use abrasive products when caring for it.
That makes things difficult, since most polishers in the market can be considered quite abrasive. So, when talking about polishing marble, the most important thing to talk about is actually how to clean it on a day-to-day basis.
Taking proper care of marble and cleaning it regularly is already one of the best things you can do to guarantee a shiny look that lasts longer. So let’s give you some tips on how to best do that day-to-day cleaning.
- Use a soft cloth
You don’t need any kind of sponges or anything of the sort when cleaning marble. A good microfiber cloth is the only thing you’ll ever need. Hard brushes should also never be used on marble, as they can easily scratch its surface. - Warm water and mild cleaning agents
That is the only cleaning combination you’ll need for marble. Make sure to use mild and neutral products, stay away from abrasive elements. - Again, stay away from acidic and abrasive elements
I know, we said that already, but that cannot be stressed enough. Never use abrasive products, acidic products, or products that contain alkaline. That goes for acidic food as well, such as lemon and vinegar. For that reason, you should never cut anything directly on top of marble. - Cleaning product designed for marble
There is a ton of cleaning products specially designed for marble in the market. They are, evidently, always the best option when cleaning marble. They are all pH-neutral, so they are specific designed to clean marble without damaging it. - Always rinse marble after cleaning it
Never let marble “air dry”. Water spots will remain on the surface of marble and will eventually stain it. Make sure to always rinse well the area after cleaning it.
Polishing Marble
Disclaimer: Polishing marble can be quite tricky. If the following instructions sound too complicated, and you’re not 100% sure you can deal with the job, your best alternative is to hire professional help.
First, the marble needs to be as clean as possible, free of any dirt, grease or stains. After cleaning it, rinsing it profusely and make sure it is completely dry, you can start the polishing process.
There are many re-polishing kits in the market that come with all the necessary materials you’re going to need during the process. You might need a speed grinding machine made for domestic use, but it takes a bit of practice and some expertise, so maybe the best option is to stick with a fine sandpaper.
Either way, you’re going to gently wet sand all the small scratches and stains of the surface. Repeating as many times as needed until you reach a result you’re happy with.
After sanding the marble, you can buff it with a clean cloth and reseal the marble.
Again, it is dangerous to polish marble if you’re not confident in the process. It is always best to hire professionals to do the job for you.
A less risky way to give your marble countertop a shiny look is to simply buff it with a chamois cloth in combination with a natural stone polisher paste. It is not technically polishing, but it will get the job done.
Another option is to mix three tablespoons of baking soda to 1 quart of warm water and gently wipe the mixture across the marble with a day cloth. After that, crush chalk into a fine powder and spread it across the countertop.
After that, rinse the excess chalk and wipe everything with a chamois cloth. Be careful, however. This method has been known to damage countertops, and it should be used only as a last option.
Professional Polishing
Marble is sometimes a costly investment. The pristine look of this century old stone is what makes it so desirable, and polishing it as a DIY project can affect that.
Before asking yourself, “how do I polish marble countertops?“, maybe you should ask, “is there anyone that can help me with that?“.
Ask for professional help when dealing with this type of maintenance is always the best way to go about it. Professionals can make sure your countertop is being well cared for, with only appropriate products and with the correct techniques and tools.
If you happen to be around the Sarasota County, in FL, we here at Eagle Stones can help you with that and any other countertop need you might have.
We’ve been serving the area with only top quality materials and best maintenance services regarding natural stone products.
Give us a call anytime at +1 941-227-2000 or email us at sales@eaglestonesusa.com. We’ll be happy to hear from you.
