Marble floor tiles add a touch of class and elegance to any room. Unfortunately, unlike other floor tiles, marble tiles are more prone to scratches and damage. Since they are quite expensive, replacing scratched marble floor tiles is not always the best option. Fortunately, if your marble floor tile has only a minor scratch, getting rid of it is relatively simple.
What You'll Need
What You'll Need
- Marble cleaner
- Steel wool
- Gloves
- Safety goggles
- Marble polish
- Hand buffer
- Buffing machine or drill with buffing attachment
- Soft towels
- Distilled water
Step 1 – Clean the Marble
The first step is to clean the marble floor tile of all dirt and grime by using a cleaner and soft cloth. You should opt for a cleaner that is specifically suited for cleaning marble. Cleaners with harsh chemicals or abrasives that are not meant for marble floor tiles can end up causing further damage to your precious tiles by staining them permanently. Cleaners with a neutral pH and no abrasive elements are the only ones that are suitable for cleaning marble floor tiles.
Step 2 – Scour with Steel Wool
Once the floor tile has been properly cleaned it’s time to scour the scratched area using steel wool. Remember to wear gloves when handling steel wool and always use safety goggles to prevent any pieces of steel wool from coming into contact with your eyes. Restrict your ministrations to the scratched portions of the marble floor tile. If you over-zealously scour the other areas of your floor tile with steel wool, you might end up scratching the unblemished areas too.
Step 3 – Polish
Once you have scoured the scratched floor tile with steel wool, you should clean the tile again so that any steel wool particles are completely removed. Now apply some marble polish to the hand buffer and gently polish the entire floor tile. Follow the instructions given on the label of the marble polish for best results. Once you have applied the polish, allow it to dry completely.
Step 4 – Buff
Now use the buffing machine to restore the shine to your marble floor tile. If you do not have a buffing machine, you can use a buffing attachment with a portable drill. Before using the buffing machine, do ensure that the material used in the buffer is soft and suited for use on marble. Incorrect usage can permanently damage the marble. Also, do ensure that you follow all safety precautions while using a buffer and wear your safety goggles at all times. If the shine is not restored to your liking with one application, you may have to repeat Steps 3 and 4 until you obtain the desired shine on your marble floor tile.
Step 5 – Wash and Dry
The next step is to simply wash the tiles with distilled water to remove any accumulated residue. Once the tiles are thoroughly washed, remember to dry them properly to prevent water streaks from ruining all your hard work.
Source: www.DoItYourself.com
