ID this tile.

GJR

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Jan 8, 2026
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Gregory Rubin
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Cleaning Professional
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Whats this tile? What are its tolerances? This is marble, right, whats the brown accent?
I was thinking alkaline spray, agitation and a clear rinse.
IMG_20251107_104222302.jpgIMG_20251107_104237611.jpg
 
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Mikey P

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The tiles are marble and the dark inlays are granite

Its likely that when installed the marble had a nice polish but traffic and harsh chemistry has dulled it.

To "just" clean it stick with non peroxide based , pH 7-9 carpet or Hard Surface pre sprays and rinse with water.

If you go higher or lower you'll likely dull it even more.

The grout is pretty dirty so use a well chiseled pole brush on the lines, a CRB or 175 typically wont get into the recession well enough.


Turbo spinner at 700 or HS wand at 500 should do the trick

White pad or MF buff when dry for an even appearance

There's probably a lot of etching (dull areas) from spilled acidic drinks and chemistry present, so make sure to let them know(in writing) that cleaning alone does not correct that.

The granite area are not a concern.


You might want to learn how to use DIPs (diamond impregnated pads) to put a shine or gloss (and remove most etch marks) on marble, travertine and limestone floors if you want more of this type work.
 

GJR

Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2026
Messages
34
Name
Gregory Rubin
Role
Cleaning Professional
Years of Experience
15
The tiles are marble and the dark inlays are granite

Its likely that when installed the marble had a nice polish but traffic and harsh chemistry has dulled it.

To "just" clean it stick with non peroxide based , pH 7-9 carpet or Hard Surface pre sprays and rinse with water.

If you go higher or lower you'll likely dull it even more.

The grout is pretty dirty so use a well chiseled pole brush on the lines, a CRB or 175 typically wont get into the recession well enough.


Turbo spinner at 700 or HS wand at 500 should do the trick

White pad or MF buff when dry for an even appearance

There's probably a lot of etching (dull areas) from spilled acidic drinks and chemistry present, so make sure to let them know(in writing) that cleaning alone does not correct that.

The granite area are not a concern.


You might want to learn how to use DIPs (diamond impregnated pads) to put a shine or gloss (and remove most etch marks) on marble, travertine and limestone floors if you want more of this type work.
Thanks, Ill follow this advice.

You caught me before I went at it with a higher PH and I appreciate that, but
will a 7-9 spray get that grout clean? I had already planned on scrubbing the lines with a chisel brush.
I suppose it wouldn't be worth risking the marble for the grout so Ill follow the guidance either way.

Is a red pad under a 175 for the tile surface too harsh/scratchy? Do I even need/want that agitation if I'm using my spinner or HS wand?

"MF buff" means microfiber mop at the end?

Thanks again, hard surfaces are still a new area for me.
Only done some and frankly am surprised at how easy it seems, which puts me at high risk for screwing something up. So Im double checking everything while I still can.
 

Mikey P

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buff as in under a 175 or OP machine

But sometimes just a MF mop can remove foot prints and lines and drips from the cleaning process.

Grout often cleans up easily, (especially modern, polymer added modified grout) so start neutral to moderate with your chemistry, test a few areas before doing the whole floor, less is more when dealing with natural stone.
 
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