Marble gets stained by coffee, wine, food, pet urine and more. A combination of hydrogen peroxide and water is good for stains from organic materials.
If your marble has minor etch marks and scratches, polishing powder will fix it. It’s not as effective on honed marble, but it can work on some polished stones.
1. Spray Polish
When it comes to polishing marble, there are many options such as . Some are more environmentally friendly than others, and some have higher concentrations of abrasives than others. The most effective polish for marble is spray polish. It contains safe abrasives that can effectively remove etches and light scratches without creating an oily film.
It’s also easy to use, and can be applied to all types of polished stone. The polish can be applied to the surface with a lint-free cloth, and then buffed dry afterward.
The best spray polish is a product that’s formulated for specific areas, such as marble tables, countertops, and vanity tops. It’s not designed to polish large areas like floors, as these will require a different formulation.
2. Liquid Polish
While liquid polishes can be effective, they tend to have a build up and are not the best option for your marble countertops. They can also damage the marble if they are not properly applied and buffed.
There are many types of liquid polish available, but the best one for your countertops will depend on how long you want to keep them. For instance, if you want to prevent stains from etching your marble, a specialised sealer will do the trick.
Stains are a common problem for marble countertops, as the stone is porous and soft. Foods and cleaning chemicals with high acidity or strong pigmentation (such as red wine, vinegar, citrus juices, or bleach) can stain and etch marble.
If you have a light-colored marble countertop with tough stains, hydrogen peroxide can be used to remove them. However, it can discolor dark marble so test an inconspicuous area first. Acetone, found in nail polish removers, can also be helpful for removing stains on light-colored marble.
3. Polishing Compound
Marble is a beautiful natural material that’s been prized for centuries. Nevertheless, it’s porous and susceptible to scratches and stains.
Luckily, marble can be polished to a high-gloss finish with a few simple steps. But first, you’ll need to determine what kind of polish you need.
A good polishing compound will remove oxidation, scratches and etching on the surface of your marble. It’ll also smooth it out and shine the surface to a glossy, glistening finish.
For a quick and easy way to remove etching from marble, you can buy a special powder called “polish.” It’s sold in the same places that sell lapidary supplies or rock tumbling supplies (or in jewellry making shops). This product comes with an incredibly fine aluminum oxide grit-size of somewhere between 1 to 3 microns.
4. Polishing Machine
A polishing machine can be a useful tool to have on hand for sanding down heavy scratches, etch marks and other defects. It will also bring out a more lustrous and smooth finish on marble.
The polishing process can be done by hand, but you can use a rotary polisher with a hog’s hair pad to make things much easier. These machines are specifically designed for correcting heavier defects, which are a problem on marble countertops and floors.
For small repairs, you can try using a paste made from baking soda and water. You can also add hydrogen peroxide or ammonia to the mixture and it will help remove stains as well.
