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Marble, Slate, and Cork

Restoring Marble

The marble floor in my home has dulled over time. Is there any way I can restore its shine?
The best way to restore and preserve the shine of a marble floor is to clean it frequently. Wet and wash it with an all-purpose cleaner. Rinse it well and wipe it dry with a soft, clean cloth. The best finish for marble is actually not a high polish finish, but a flatter, somewhat dull finish. Applying wax to a marble floor is not recom-mended. Over time and after many cleanings, the floor will take on a shinier appearance as it absorbs oils from the cleaning fluids.

Restoring Cork Floors

Our home has cork tile floors that are dark and discolored with minor surface wear. What can we do to make them look better?
You can sand the cork tile with medium-grit sandpaper to remove the remainder of the old finish and the top layer of dust and dirt. For best results, use an orbital finish sander.

After you've thoroughly vacuumed up the cork dust, apply two light coats of polyurethane, thinned slightly with lacquer thinner or another thinner recommended on the label. Be sure the area in which you're working is adequately ventilated. Let the finish cure for about a week. There is no need to wax.

Once the finish is restored, maintain it by vacuuming it regularly. The floor can also be cleaned with floor cleaner mixed with water. Dip a mop in the solution and wring it out well. Too much water may soak between the tiles and cause them to lift.

Dingy-looking Slate

There's a dingy-looking wax or sealer on the slate floor in our foyer. How can we remove it—and some paint specks?
Is it necessary to seal a slate floor? Slate is a porous material (it can absorb water), so it does need to be sealed. To clean the slate, you'll have to experiment a bit in a not-so-visible spot. Try to remove the paint drips with a putty knife. If they haven't penetrated the surface of the slate, they should scrape right off. If this doesn't work, you could try a mild dried-paint remover (available at paint stores).

Removing the dingy finish or paint that has penetrated the surface will be tougher. Sometimes slate is sealed with floor wax or penetrating sealer that is absorbed into the slate. If the slate is sealed with floor wax, your best bet is a commercial floor wax remover. For removing stubborn sealers and paint splatters, try washing the floor with trisodium phosphate (TSP) or laundry deter-gent until the water is clear. Let the floor dry overnight. If that doesn't work, try a water-base paint stripper. Strippers can discolor the slate, so test a small area first. For safety, have plenty of ventilation.

When the floor is as clean as you can get it, apply a paste wax that contains carnauba, or a penetrating tile and brick sealer. Get these at any home center or hardware store. Penetrating sealers can be reapplied from time to time to make the slate look new. Just clean it and put on another coat of sealer. Waxes are less convenient because they leave a buildup that has to be removed periodically, but some people prefer the soft sheen of wax.

HOME IMPROVEMENT

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TITLE: Home Improvement, Home Depot, Home Decor, Home Decorating, Home Remodeling, Home Decor, Home Interior, Home Furniture Store

Home Improvement Category: Home Improvement, Home Depot, Home Decor, Home Decorating, Home Remodeling, Home Decor, Home Interior, Home Furniture, Home, Do it Yourself, Doityourself, DIY, Diy Network, Do-it-Yourself

Shopping Mall: Home Improvement offers do-it-yourself Home Improvement guide and store, Home Improvement, Home Depot, Home Decor, Home Decorating, Home Remodeling, Home Decor, Home Interior, Home Furniture, Home, Do it Yourself, Doityourself, DIY, Diy Network, Do-it-Yourself Store

Home Improvement Topics: Home Improvement, Home Depot, Home Decor, Home Decorating, Home Remodeling, Home Decor, Home Interior, Home Furniture, Home, Do it Yourself, Doityourself, DIY, Diy Network, Do-it-Yourself