Before you try anything: always speak to a professional before cleaning, treating or applying any product to your stone. Every slab is different, and the wrong product can cause permanent damage. Contact us or a qualified stone restorer first.
Quick answer
First degrease your marble: a film of oil and cleaner is often all that is dulling it. If it is still flat, the surface has probably been etched. Small dull areas on polished marble can be buffed back with marble polishing powder, but restoring the shine across a whole benchtop means professional honing and re-polishing.
First, check what you are dealing with
- Flat, slightly greasy look everywhere: residue.
- Dull patches near the sink, cooktop or where drinks are served: etching.
- Whole surface dull and slightly rough: worn finish needing professional work.
What you need
- Hot water and dish liquid
- Microfibre cloths
- Marble polishing powder (small areas)
Step by step
Degrease first
Wash with hot water and a good squeeze of dish liquid, rinse with clean water and dry with microfibre. Residue from oils and cleaners is the most common cause of a flat-looking surface.
Polish small patches
On polished stone, buff small dull patches with polishing powder and water for one to two minutes, rinse and check.
Professional re-polish for the rest
A stone restorer can hone and re-polish marble back to an even finish, and on bookmatched or heavily veined slabs that is the safest route.
Keep it that way
Protection film over the freshly polished surface stops the dullness returning.
What not to use on marble
- Waxes, furniture polish and "stone shine" sprays that coat rather than polish.
- Vinegar, lemon juice or "natural" citrus cleaners: they etch marble.
When to call a professional
A stone restorer can hone and re-polish marble back to an even finish, and on bookmatched or heavily veined slabs that is the safest route.
Understanding dull surfaces and lost shine on marble
On polished marble damage shows as dull, cloudy patches in reflected light; on honed marble it tends to look darker or smoother than the surrounding stone.
Marble is almost pure calcite, which dissolves in acid. Lemon, wine, vinegar and many sprays dull a polished surface within seconds to minutes.
A stone restorer can hone and re-polish marble back to an even finish, and on bookmatched or heavily veined slabs that is the safest route.
Good to know
Before assuming your marble needs polishing, degrease it. A film of cooking oil and cleaner residue makes polished marble look flat, and it wipes off.
Stop it happening again
Whether yours is Calacatta, Carrara, Statuario, Nero Marquina, Emperador and Crema Marfil, repairing it fixes today's mark; protecting it stops the next one. Our clear Stone Protection Film sits over the surface, so acids cannot etch it and liquids cannot soak in, and its self-healing top layer shrugs off fine everyday marks. Choose Gloss for polished marble or Matte/Satin for honed and matte finishes. The protection is identical. It is installed across Sydney with a 10-year written warranty.
How we protect marble · Fixing etch marks · Dull surfaces & lost shine on every surface