How to Make a DIY Marble Polish

Marble is one of the most popular material options for flooring, tabletops, and countertops in residential and commercial properties. Not only does marble improve your home’s curb appeal but it is also incredibly low-maintenance. However, it is susceptible to stains, cracks, and scratches. Therefore, you need to ensure that you polish your marble surfaces, especially floors, so they remain clean and shiny.

For this, you can take hire professional cleaning services or take the DIY route using countertop solutions. However, if you’re looking to save more money, you can skip buying store-bought solutions and make homemade marble polish (and poultice). If this sounds intriguing to you, keep reading our guide on how to make DIY marble polish and clean your floors.

Let’s get polishing!

The Key Benefits of Marble Polishing

If you’re still caught on the fence regarding whether or not to polish your marble floors, here are some of the key benefits of marble polishing:

Increased Density

A polished marble floor is denser than an unpolished one, which makes it harder and more resistant to impact and abrasions from falling objects. Polished marble surfaces are also less absorbent which makes them easier to clean as long as you act quickly.

Improved Aesthetic Appeal

Polished marble floors look fresher, shinier, and aesthetically pleasing compared to floors that haven’t been polished in hears. Due to higher density, they can last for years before showing any signs of wear and tear, which is great for homeowners looking to maintain their property’s value without spending unnecessarily on new floors and renovations.

Easier to Clean

By regularly polishing your marbles, you won’t have to work hard or invest in expensive cleaning materials to remove dust, oil, and other stains off your floor. All you need is a damp mop and a neutral detergent, and you’re all set to preserve your floor’s shiny look.

Polished Marble Prevents Contaminant Growth

Another great benefit of regularly polishing your floors is the prevention of bacterial, pest, and fungal growth. Poultice and marble polishing powders are natural repellents, making them a viable solution for killing two birds with one stone (or pests, in this case). With fewer microbes, you can reduce the risk of your loved ones getting sick and save money on medical bills.

How to Make a DIY Marble Polish

If you’re looking to avoid spending money on countertop products, here’s everything you need to know about making a homemade marble polish:

Tools/Equipment

  • Sponge
  • Paintbrush
  • Standard cleaning equipment (bucket, mop, scrubbing brush, etc.)
  • Spatula/knife/blade
  • Low-speed polisher

Other Supplies

  • Plastic wrap
  • Mild detergent
  • Baking soda
  • Hydrogen peroxide (optional)
  • Ammonia (optional)
  • Plastic wrap
  • Chalk

Steps to Make the Poultice and Polish

Determine the Type of Stain or Level of Dullness You’re Dealing With

The liquid solvent you use is highly dependent on the marble floor’s shine deterioration and the type of stains you’re dealing with (if any). If you’re dealing with ink, organic, oil-based stains, opt for hydrogen peroxide. For rust stains and dull floors, use ammonia.

Combine the Main Ingredients

To make a polish, you need to combine baking soda with hydrogen peroxide or ammonia, whichever option you prefer. If you like, you can use water instead but then the solution won’t be as effective. Using a spatula, stir the mixture thoroughly until it reaches a peanut butter consistency

Grind the Chalk

Once you’ve made the poultice to clean any stains, the next step is to make the polish. For this, you simply need to grind a box of chalk until you have very fine abrasive grains.

Steps to Clean and Polish Your Marble Floor

Deep Clean

Before you use your homemade marble polish, you need to make sure that your marble floor is free of any debris (dust, hair, dirt, crumbs, etc.). For this, you can use a broom, vacuum, or a soft dry rag. Next, apply a few drops of mild detergent across the entire floor and start scrubbing.

Wait for Marble to Dry

Once you’ve cleaned your marble floor, allow it to dry completely and avoid placing anything on it until the process is complete. Depending on the condition, this can take anywhere between 15-20 minutes.

Remove Stains

Using an old toothbrush or paintbrush, gently spread your homemade poultice on the stained marble surfaces to a depth of ¼ to ½ inch. Once you’re done, cover the poultice with plastic wrap and secure the edges using tape. You need to wait for at least 24 hours for the poultice to harden and work its magic. Once it’s dried, remove the wrap and start scraping the poultice without digging into the marble surface using a blade, knife, or spatula. If it’s too hard, pour some water to dampen it so it comes off easily. Make sure to clean any residue with a damp cloth and wait for the marble to dry before moving to the next step.

Polish Your Marble Floor

Once your marble floor is stain-free, the next step is to return that lost shine. While you can always head to a local store to buy a marble polishing powder, there’s nothing wrong with using chalk since it contains some of the most essential ingredients found in them. To do this, soak a clean cloth with water and quickly wipe the etched areas. Next, sprinkle the chalk powder on those spots and use a low-speed polisher to buff the floor. Once you’re done, use the damp rag to clean the marble and let it dry. Your floors should be as good as new now.

Seal Your Marble Floor

To ensure that the new shine lasts longer and prevents future stains, buy a marble sealant and gently spray or pour it over the surface. Next, use a clean cloth to spread it across the floor and let it dry for up to 20 minutes (or as specified by the manufacturer). Once you’re done, you can buff the marble again to let the sealant soak in thoroughly.

Conclusion

Marble can be tricky to clean, depending on the type of stain or level of deterioration you’re facing. With this DIY solution, you can ensure your floors are clean, shiny, and protected for years without hiring professional cleaners or investing in expensive cleaners and materials. So, what are you waiting for? Head to the local hardware store and get everything you need to get rid of any nasty stains and bring back your floor’s lost shine.