Although marble floors are renowned for their beauty and toughness, keeping them properly needs regular washing and polishing. Natural stone, known as marble, is porous and easily damaged by scratches, etchings, and stains.
To maintain marble floors looking their best, we’ll outline a step-by-step cleaning and polishing procedure in this post.
Table of Contents
- Learning about Marble Floors
- Cleaning Marble Floors
- To Protect the Future, Add a Sealant
- Maintaining Marble Floors
- Polishing Marble Floors
- Honing, polishing, and crystallization methods
- How is a Marble Floor polished?
- Warnings
- Conclusion
Learning about Marble Floors
Before we discuss the marble floor cleaning and polishing process, it’s important to understand the nature of marble floors. Natural stone, called marble, is created when limestone is subjected to high heat and pressure.
It is composed mainly of calcium carbonate and has a crystalline structure that gives it a unique pattern. Marble is porous, which means it can absorb liquids and stains. It is also susceptible to etching and scratching from acidic substances or abrasive materials.
These factors make marble floors delicate and require proper care.
Cleaning Marble Floors
The first step in cleaning marble floors is to remove any surface dirt or debris. You can do this by sweeping or vacuuming the floor. To prevent scratching the surface, use a brush attachment with soft bristles.
Next, using a pH-neutral cleaner specifically designed for marble is important. The use of abrasive or acidic cleansers should be avoided since they might harm the surface. Dilute the cleaner according to the manufacturer’s instructions and apply it to the floor with a mop or sponge.
Use a soft-bristled brush or a scrub pad to agitate the cleaner and remove any stains or dirt gently. Rinse the floor thoroughly with clean water to remove any residue.
To Protect the Future, Add a Sealant
Sealer N or Lapicur will shield your marble surface from stains and provide protection. Pay close attention to the directions. Only use the instructions below as broad guidance.
1. Tape off any wood cut, chromium, or stainless steel surrounding the marble surface that will not be sealed. Use plumber’s tape or masking tape.
2. Using a dry, clean flat microfiber mop, apply three coats of Lapicur or Sealer N, letting each coat dry between applications. Use burnished in-between applications for optimal results to prolong the life of the Sealer.
Moreover, provide a superior high gloss finish with extra non-slip characteristics.
3. If you burnish the marble, you won’t need to wait for it to cure for six to eight hours, but if you don’t polish the marble, the surface will be exposed to harm.
4. Depending on your marble surface’s usage, Lapicur should be reapplied every one to two years.
Maintaining Marble Floors
To keep your marble floors looking their best, it’s important to follow a regular maintenance routine. Some tips are given below for maintenance.
• As soon as a spill occurs, wipe it up to avoid stains.
• Use coasters and placemats to protect the surface from scratches and etching
• Avoid using acidic or abrasive cleaners
• Make use of a marble-specific pH-neutral cleanser.
• Sweep or vacuum the floor regularly to remove surface dirt and debris
• Use doormats to prevent dirt and grit from scratching the surface
Polishing Marble Floors
Marble floors must be regularly polished to preserve their luster and avoid becoming dull. Depending on how shiny you want your marble flooring to be, many polishing techniques exist.
1. Honing
The marble floor is smoothed with progressively finer abrasives throughout the honing process. This technique creates a smooth or matte surface while removing minor scratches or etch marks.
2. Polishing
Polishing involves using a chemical to buff the marble floor’s surface and create a high-gloss finish. This technique works well on floors that need minimal polishing and are in good shape.
3. Crystallization
A crystallizing solution is applied to the marble floor and polished with a steel wool pad in order to crystallize it. This process restores severely damaged flooring and yields a mirror-like sheen.
How is a marble floor polished?
To care for and preserve your marble floor, you must comprehend: Marble is a naturally occurring limestone that has changed due to heat, pressure, and time. Supplying one of the world’s most stunning floor coverings made of gorgeous, sturdy building material.
Despite being sturdy and strong, it is also quite porous and susceptible to stains. Regular care is essential!
We must first determine if your marble is natural or cultured to proceed.
The following lists the three basic methods you may use to do this.
Temperature Method
Place your palm on the surface to measure the temperature. Typically, natural marble feels colder to the touch than the air around it. The temperature of cultured marble will be similar to that of the ambient air.
Acid Method
Use the acid procedure to pick a discreet location and apply a few drops of vinegar to the surface being evaluated. If you notice bubbles or exploding on natural marble, remove the vinegar immediately with a wet towel to prevent adverse effects.
Scratch Method
Use a nail to scrape the surface in the same hidden location gently. Look closely to see whether there is still a visible scrape. Cultured marble does not scratch as easily as natural marble.
However, if unsure, move forward as though the marble is natural to avoid damaging it.
Warnings
• Acids will corrode genuine marble. Never clean with items like vinegar or lemon juice.
• On marble, never use metal scrubbers.
• Regularly, acetone is advised for cleaning natural marble. However, DO NOT use it on
Cultured marble, as it will harm the coating’s protective gel.
• Although cultured marble is less sensitive, it must be cleaned carefully to prevent significant dents or damage.
Conclusion
Marble floors are a beautiful and durable flooring option, but they require proper care to maintain their beauty. By understanding the nature of marble floors and following a regular maintenance routine, you can keep your floors looking their best for years.