Floor Types · Marble & Stone

Commercial Marble & Natural Stone Floor Care

Marble says something about a building, which is why a dull, scratched, or etched stone floor in a lobby is so noticeable. Natural stone is unforgiving: acid etches it, abrasives scratch it, and wax dulls it. We polish, hone, and seal it, never wax, never acid, to restore the depth and reflection that makes stone look like money.

Quick answerMarble and natural stone are polished and sealed, never stripped and waxed. We diamond-hone and polish out scratches and etching, restore the sheen from satin honed to full reflection, and seal the porous surface. Maintenance is pH-neutral cleaning only, never acidic products.

Calcareous vs. siliceous stone

It matters which stone you have. Calcareous stones, marble, limestone, travertine, and onyx, are acid-sensitive: coffee, citrus, and many cleaners etch them. Siliceous stones like granite are far more acid-resistant. We identify the stone first, because the wrong chemistry or pad can permanently damage it.

How marble and stone are cared for

Honed vs. polished, and restoring etched stone

Honed is a smooth, low-sheen matte; polished is a high, reflective gloss. We finish to the look you want. Water rings, acid etching, and foot-traffic scratches can almost always be polished out by refining the stone through grit stages. Related: terrazzo and grouted tile. See sealing vs. waxing for why stone is sealed, not waxed.

A marble and stone maintenance schedule

FrequencyTask
DailyDust mop, then damp mop with a pH-neutral stone cleaner
RoutineClean spills promptly, especially acidic ones
PeriodicRe-polish or crystallize to restore the sheen
As neededReseal to maintain stain resistance

Common marble problems, and fixes

Keeping it on a program

Stone holds its look with pH-neutral cleaning and periodic re-polishing. A maintenance program keeps lobbies and stone floors reflective and sealed without acid or wax.

Questions

Can you wax marble?

No. Marble is polished, not waxed. Wax dulls it and traps soil; a diamond polish produces a lasting natural shine.

Can etched or dull marble be restored?

Yes. Honing and polishing remove etching and scratches and bring back the reflection.

How do you keep marble looking good?

pH-neutral cleaning only, prompt spill cleanup, periodic re-polishing or crystallization, and sealing. No acidic products.

What's the difference between honed and polished marble?

Honed is a smooth matte with low sheen; polished is a high, reflective gloss. Both are achieved by refining the stone, not by coating it.

Does marble need to be sealed?

Yes. Stone is porous, so a penetrating sealer helps it resist staining. It still isn't waxed.

Can you remove stains from natural stone?

Often yes. Surface marks polish out, and deeper stains can frequently be drawn out with the right poultice for the stone and the stain.

Get a free floor assessment

Tell us your facility, floor types, and square footage. We'll scope the work and send a written quote. Not sure what you have? Send a photo and we'll tell you.