How to Polish Marble

Many people have opted to put marble countertops and other surfaces in their homes. That means more and more people need to learn how to polish marble surfaces without causing damage to them. Too many people make mistakes with marble, so it’s important that you understand the proper way to care for marble before you start using it in your home. 

How to Polish Marble

Why do People Use Marble In their Homes?

There are a variety of reasons that people decide to use marble in their homes. One of the most important reasons is price; because marble is a natural material, it’s much cheaper than some other alternatives. Pair that with the fact that these countertops are incredibly durable compared to other surface materials, and you probably get why people choose marble in their homes.

Another reason that marble is especially popular is because of the variety of colors that it can come in. You can get marble (especially cultured marble) in a variety of different colors and with different designs. You can also change the color of a marble countertop as you wish with the help of a professional refinisher. The flexibility and attractiveness of marble makes it very appealing for many kitchen arrangements.  

Lastly, as you will be able to tell from the next section, marble is very easy to maintain. Granted, cultured marble is the easier type of marble to take care of (regular cleaners will polish it and make it look as good as new and you can sandpaper scratches), but even natural marble is simple to take care of and you rarely have to replace the countertops. 

How to Polish Natural Marble

Polishing marble takes a bit of effort, but it’s generally a quick and painless process that will leave your marble surfaces looking great with a fresh, new shine.

What you will need

  • Lukewarm water and mild dish soap
  • Soft cloths (3-4)
  • Microfiber cloth
  • Solution of  3 tbs. of baking soda to 1 qt of water
  1. Your first step is to make sure that any stains are gone. You can do this by using a damp sponge or cloth, soaked in the lukewarm water and mild dish soap. Take this and gently wipe up any stains that are currently on your marble. Rinse thoroughly before moving on to step two. Important note:  Marble is porous, so if you don’t get spills wiped up quickly, they can set into the marble and be more difficult to get rid of. In some cases, you may have to apply a poultice in order to get deep stains out.
  2. Make absolutely certain that there is nothing left on the surface. Natural marble is very soft, so any stray crumbs could really hurt the surface of your marble. Just wipe over the surface with a dry, clean cloth to remove anything excess on the counter.
  3. Take the baking soda and water mixture to polish the marble countertop. Use a clean cloth and apply the mixture to the surface. Don’t lay it on too thick, or you won’t get the positive effects of this mixture. The baking soda will draw out any scents that may have set into the marble, and it will leave it with a nice shine. Allow this mixture to set for about 5 hours.
  4. Take yet another cloth and dip it in warm water. Then, rinse the surface.
  5. Take your last cloth and dry the area, buffing the marble as you go. This cloth should probably be a microfiber cloth, which is specially used for buffing cars and polished surfaces. Gently wipe the area in large, circular motions that turn into smaller circles as you lose moisture.