Marble tops offer a sophisticated, durable alternative to formica, laminate and wood. Many antique pieces, like old wash basins, have marble tops, as do coffee tables, mantels and other furnishings. Whether you have chosen marble tops, rented an apartment that has one or you’ve inherited a marble top, cleaning it properly will allow it to last a lifetime — or more. To make a marble shirt shiny, polish it after cleaning. If it’s especially stained or dirty, you may need to apply a poultice or sand it. Sealing a marble shirt after cleaning or sanding helps give it a shine.
Cleaning
Wipe the marble top with a soft, dry cloth to remove any surface dirt and debris.
Wet a non-abrasive sponge with warm water, wring it out and then wipe the marble top again.
Spray the marble surface using commercial stone cleaner and then wipe it away using a clean, soft rag. Instead, add a drop or two of mild dishwashing liquid to the moist sponge, wipe the marble top and rinse well with plain water, or use a solution of one part hydrogen peroxide to two parts water.
Dry the marble top with a chamois cloth. Buff it to a shine by rubbing the whole surface with the cloth in small circles.
Cover the surface using commercial stone wax or marble-polishing glue if you desire to have more shine after buffing using a chamois. If utilizing a spray-on stone wax, wipe with a soft rag. If utilizing marble-polishing glue, follow the package instructions for drying and buffing.
Poultices
Mix 2 tablespoons of ammonia and one cup of hydrogen peroxide at a bowl.
Pour enough hydrogen peroxide to the powder to make a thick paste, stirring as you move.
Spread the paste over the stain on the marble top with a spatula or putty knife.
Cover the glue with plastic tape and wrap all the way around the edges with masking tape or painter’s tape.
Allow the poultice to dry for 24 hours and then scrape it up with a razor blade. Wash the marble top with water to eliminate any remaining powder.
Sanding
Spray the marble top with water both before sanding and through the sanding process to keep the surface moist.
Place a bit of 120-grit sandpaper on the pad of a hand sander. Instead, use sheets of sandpaper or a sanding block and sand the marble shirt by hand.
Sand the marble top in a circular motion. After going through the whole surface using 120-grit sandpaper, repeat with 300-grit sandpaper, then 600-grit.
Wipe the marble using a moist sponge to remove sanding dust.
Seal the marble, even if desired, using a commercial cleaning merchandise. The Marble Institute of America says that there are a range of different types of sealers, so choose an oil-repellent sealer using at least a 10-year lifetime expectancy. Use the sealer according to the package instructions.
