28 Mar Should You Wax Marble Flooring?

If you’re fortunate to have the funds to install expensive marble flooring, you’ll want to care for it appropriately. Proper care is critical for its longevity and long-term maintenance. Highly durable and resistant to scratches, marble flooring is still susceptible to staining and it can become dull over time.

Honed marble and polished marble aren’t the same and should be addressed differently. Polished marble requires regular cleaning, polishing and waxing. Honed marble shouldn’t be waxed.

Honed Marble

This type of marble should be cleaned regularly with clear, hot water that’s free of minerals such as iron and calcium. An abrasive detergent that contains bleach will help keep the appearance bright. However, don’t ever apply soap to a honed marble floor as it will penetrate the surface pores and result in darkening.

Scrubbing should be performed with a stiff bristle brush or a commercial power scrubber. Use overlapping circular motions to ensure that the pores receive attention from multiple angles. Leave the bleach cleaning solution on for several minutes, then rinse with plenty of clear water and dry as thoroughly as possible. You can purchase a clear sealer that contains silicone to act as a protectant for honed marble.

Polished Marble

Very smooth in texture, polished marble requires a delicate and gentle approach. Cleaning also requires clear, hot water and a mild cleaner, such as dish soap. You can apply it directly from the container for small areas. Mix it in the water for larger spaces. Make sure the dish soap contains no abrasives.

Rinse well, changing the water multiple times if necessary. When rinsing is completed, be sure to use soft, absorbent cloths to remove as much water as possible. The final step is applying a non-yellowing paste wax. Beeswax is a good option, but there are also waxes specifically developed for marble floors to maintain the floor’s appearance and vitality.