How to Clean a Marble Bust
Marble, a soft but shatterproof stone made of limestone and calcite, has been used in sculpture since the time of the ancient Greeks. Marble busts, whether made of natural marble or cultured marble (marble fortified with binding agents) are a lovely accent for a home's décor, and require very little maintenance to keep them looking brand new. If your marble bust gets dusty or dirty, however, some gentle cleaning and polishing will restore its original luster. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Liquid dishwashing detergent
- Wet sponge
- Old soft toothbrush (optional)
- Sink or basin with clean water
- 2 clean soft cloths
- Acrylic paste wax
- Clean flannel rag
Instructions
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1
Place a few drops of liquid dishwashing liquid onto the wet sponge. Squeeze gently to form lather.
Clean the bust with the wet sponge. If there are small, hard to reach areas, you can gently use an old soft toothbrush. (Never scrub too hard with the toothbrush.) -
2
Rinse the sponge in a sink or basin with clean water until there is no more soap lather.
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3
Wipe off all traces of soap and lather with the clean sponge.
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4
Dry the marble bust with a soft cloth.
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5
Apply a layer of acrylic paste wax to the bust with a clean rag. Follow the manufacturer's directions for correct application.
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6
Buff off the wax with the second clean cloth.
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Tips & Warnings
Avoid using any products containing alcohol or acidic cleansers containing lemon or vinegar to clean your marble bust. These products can damage and dull the finish and potentially etch into the marble permanently.
References
- Photo Credit marble bust of man image by thomas owen from Fotolia.com
