How to Make Outdoor Marble Glossy

Outdoor marble can shine again with cleaning and polishing.

Marble can add a luxurious feel to outdoor tabletops, swimming pool surrounds and barbecue countertops. Outdoor marble is a porous stone that's prone to damage and soiling from heavy dirt and the elements. Keep marble tabletops and other marble-dressed furniture under patio roofs to protect the stone from damage and wear. Marble pools, barbecue countertops and columns can shine again with some cleaning and polishing.

Things You'll Need

• Broom or dusting cloth
• Stone soap
• Two soft cloths or rag mop
• 1/2 cup ammonia
• 1 gallon water
• Soft scrub brush
• Paper towels
• Powdered chalk or talc
• Steel wool, 0000 grade
• Marble polishing powder
• Power drill
• Buffing pad
• Penetrating stone sealer

Instructions

Cleaning the Marble

1. Sweep your outdoor marble with the broom or run over it with the dusting cloth to remove loose dirt and debris.

2. Pour a few drops of stone soap onto the marble's surface. Scrub marble floors with the rag mop and other marble areas with the soft cloth. Don't use too much cleaner or your marble could develop a streaky film.

3. Rinse the surface with water thoroughly after washing and dry with a clean, soft cloth.

4. Remove tougher stains with chemical treatments or scrubbing agents. Scrub algae or moss in pool, patio or hot-tub areas gently with a soft scrub brush and a mixture of ½ cup ammonia in 1 gallon of water. Apply the same treatment to oil- or grease-based stains. Form a thick paste of powdered chalk or talc and water and apply it to paper towels to make a poultice for scrubbing away rust and other metal stains. Buff water spots, rings and scratch marks with 0000 steel wool.

5. Rinse your outdoor marble's surface once more after deep-stain cleaning and dry it with a clean, soft cloth.

Polishing the Marble

1. Wet your marble's surface slightly with clean, clear water and sprinkle on the marble polishing powder.

2. Rub the powder into the stone using a power drill with a buffing pad. Buff on low speed to keep from overscrubbing the marble and damaging its surface. Continue buffing until the marble's surface shines. If the polishing powder begins to dry, add a little more water to the surface as you buff.

3. Rinse your marble surface several times with clean water to remove the polishing powder.

4. Apply a generous amount of penetrating stone sealer to your marble and let the sealer sit for at least one hour. Wipe off excess protectant with a dry cloth.

Tips & Warnings

• Blot up spills immediately to make future marble cleanings easier and less frequent.

• Protect outdoor marble floors with non-skid mats or area rugs and use coasters, trivets or placemats on outdoor marble tabletops.

• Avoid cleaning your marble with agents that contain lemon, vinegar or other acids because acid-based substances can permanently etch or scratch the stone.

References

• Marble Institute of America: Natural Stone Care and Cleaning
• Stone Dr.: Stone Care Tips