Marble has a reputation for being a high-maintenance stone. But its timeless beauty and elegance make it all worth it! It is soft and porous, making it vulnerable to stains, discoloration, and scratches. While that might sound scary at first, marble can last lifetimes with the right type of care and attention. Keep reading to learn how to care for your house’s marble countertops and other marble fixtures!
How to Clean Marble Countertop Stains
When a spill occurs on marble countertops, it is essential to blot and not wipe immediately. Wiping the spill just spreads it further and risks a larger stain. In contrast, blotting contain the spill as much as possible and removes it without allowing any time for your marble countertops to absorb the liquid. Afterward, clean the area with mild dish soap and water, then dry the area thoroughly with a clean and dry washcloth.
The Dos and Don’ts of Marble Countertops
- One of the essential rules of marble is never to use abrasive materials. Scrubbers and rough clothes can cause scratching on the surface. In the same vein, pay attention to how much debris comes into your house with your shoes if you have marble floors. Bringing in the sand and other particles may cause some scratching. Therefore, placing mats and rugs on your entrances is a good idea.
- When vacuuming your marble floors, be careful about how the wheels and attachments can scratch your floors, and make sure to use marble-friendly equipment. What you can do instead is clean your floors with a soft cloth and fiber mops. While highly effective, these types of cleaning materials won’t damage your floors.
- Avoid placing hot pans and pots on top of marble countertops. Instead, use trivets or mats. Use coasters to eliminate watermarks.
What Cleaning Products Should not be used on Marble?
The number one rule of marble is not to let it come into contact with acids. Therefore you should never use cleaning products that contain vinegar, lemon, or other citrus juices, for they will etch the surface after constant use.
Stay away from products that encourage rubbing! Powder and cream cleaners that require a lot of rubbing for stain removal are not suitable for marble cleaning. They will remove the seal on the marble and cause more damage.
Marble Cleaning Tips
Marble countertop cleaning is easy! The best thing to clean marble countertops with is something you already have on hand: natural dish soap. Putting some warm water and a drop of natural dish soap in a spray bottle makes an excellent marble cleaner.
Spray it on the area you want to clean, then use a clean and dry washcloth to wipe the area dry. Always make sure to dry marble after cleaning it so that your cleaner doesn’t leave water marks behind. An easy 10-minute daily cleaning ritual will ensure your marble ages beautifully.
For deeper cleaning, you can again put some water in a spray bottle, but this time add a little bit of isopropyl alcohol and follow the exact instructions as the first one. Just spray on the surface and dry afterward.
You can even clean marble with baking soda. But be careful! As baking soda may have an abrasive effect if used too harshly. So go easy on the scrubbing. Using a little bit of it with a soft cloth can leave a marvelously clean surface. Be sure not to use it for daily cleaning and save it for deep cleaning every once in a while.
Conclusion
As much as marble requires some attention and care, the longevity it promises is well worth it. The advantages of marble outweigh the disadvantages, such as its ease of installation and timeless yet modern appearance. Therefore don’t let all of these don’ts deter you from your marble dreams.
As Keystone Marble and Granite, we are always happy and eager to help you actualize your dream house. If you want further information, don’t hesitate to contact our expert customer support team.