how to clean the marble floor to shine
Marble is quite a beautiful material, making it a popular choice for flooring in homes. However, keeping it in that excellent condition requires knowing how to care for marble, especially when it comes to preserving its shine. Fortunately, this is not that difficult and can be done in a few hours.
It is only enough to go for a walk to different shopping centers or visit different homes to realize that marble is one of the most chosen materials when it comes to floors.
This has many causes, since it is an element that, despite not being the cheapest, provides incredible resistance and, in addition to that, offers designs that really catch the eye and can be combined with any space.
However, something that must be taken into account is that, if you want to continue enjoying the beautiful appearance of marble for a long time, it is necessary to give it the maintenance that it requires. It is not enough to simply scrub the surface with soap and water, because in this way, although you will keep the floor clean, you will not be able to preserve its characteristic shine.
If you don’t know what process is required to really clean white marble and any other color, allowing the floor to retain its shine, then it is important that you read how to achieve it.
How to remove stains from marble?
Before starting to polish the marble floor, you must first make sure that it is completely clean, otherwise the result may not be what you are expecting.
It is necessary to remember that it is preferable to prevent the marble from staining, so you should dry or clean any substance that comes into contact with the surface immediately. However, after that first moment, cleaning is still possible, although it may be a little more difficult.
Although there are various products to clean marble, as this is a porous surface, it is recommended to use the least amount of chemicals possible. Therefore, the first thing you should do is verify the origin of the stain and start cleaning it.
After sweeping or vacuuming the spot, identify the stain. If it is soluble elements, it will suffice to clean using warm water and neutral pH soap. While, if it is more difficult to remove stains, it is preferable to clean the marble with ammonia, water and lemon.
If you have to deal with a solid stain, like removing wax from the floor, then some gadgets and tools are necessary. In this specific case, using a steamer to melt and finish with a damp soapy cloth may suffice.
At the end of any of the procedures mentioned, it is imperative that you remember to dry the floor very well, to prevent the marble from accumulating moisture.
How to clean the marble so that it shines?
If you want the shine of the marble to last as long as possible, then it is enough to give it a regular cleaning, quickly treat the stains and liquids that come into contact with the surface and, from time to time, it is necessary to cover the entire surface of marble with specialized professional wax.
However, if you have to clean a damaged marble floor, which no longer has a shine, it is necessary to follow other methods in order to restore that charming appearance that this type of material has.
There are two ways to polish marble and choosing between one or the other depends on how large the surface that needs to be polished is. If what you are looking for is to know how to polish a marble floor without a machine, then it is necessary to tell you that this process, although possible, is only suitable for very small sections. On the other hand, if you want to polish a large marble surface, you need to get a rotary machine and get to work.
However, regardless of the option you choose, you will need: a steel wool, a paint stripper, a crystallizer and a wax.
To begin with, after you have cleaned the marble, you must add the stripper all over the floor, as this will be the base. You will need to rub the product with the steel wool while the rotating machine moves smoothly and at low speed. However, if you decided to do the process manually, you will have to carry out the movement yourself, helping yourself with protective gloves.
When finished, proceed to add the crystallizing liquid and repeat the process with the rotary machine, without increasing the speed. Be sure to cover every area that needs it with this product to achieve the best result.
When you finish this step, you will notice that the floor has already taken on its original shine, so you could finish here; however, if you want to prolong its appearance, then it is recommended to use wax. To apply it you will not require the machine, you will only need a mop and you will be able to finish the polishing process.
It is worth noting that, although many think otherwise, it is not necessary to polish the floor after finishing polishing. In fact, polishing is really necessary only when the surface is scratched or has many imperfections. For this, it is worth hiring a professional.
Whitewashing the floor joints
If you don’t know how to whitewash joints, then you probably think it’s just as difficult as cleaning old white marble, but the reality is that it’s a fairly simple process, if you have the right materials.
Cleaning the floor joints with vinegar or rubbing toothpaste on them are usually the two most used methods to achieve the goal. However, if the dirt is very sticky, then you can look for a good steamer.
This device, especially if used with a concentrated jet nozzle, will penetrate the marble correctly, loosening dirt and, fortunately, neutralizing bacteria thanks to the heat. To finish, it is only necessary to dry the soil very well.
As you can see, a steam cleaner is not only used to clean a surface, a mattress or a motorcycle trunk, but also to take care of the marble; while the toothpaste, in addition to restoring the shine to your teeth, will do the same with the joints of the tiles.
Cleaning marble is a somewhat complex process; however, this becomes easier if you know exactly how to perform each step and what to use to accomplish it.