The gleaming polished surface of marble countertops can make any kitchen or bathroom feel a bit more luxurious. There’s just something about the classic veining and smooth stone that feels timeless and elegant. But without proper marble countertop cleaning, your beautiful marble’s good looks won’t last. Keeping marble kitchen and bath counters looking flawless takes using the right cleaning approach.
We’ve compiled tips straight from countertop installation pros and cleaning experts. By learning the basics offered here and speaking to your local countertop store about products they recommend, you’ll have all the knowledge for maintaining gorgeously gleaming marble surfaces in your home. We want to make keeping your investment in marble as easy as possible. This guide will walk you through exactly how to care for your marble surfaces so they stay stunning for years. Let’s keep that marble shining!
Table of Contents
Getting to Know Marble Countertops
Marble has been popular for centuries due to their beautiful veining patterns. The stone is formed under intense heat and pressure deep in the earth, which causes the distinctive swirling designs. No two marble slabs are the same – the natural mineral variations create unique markings.
When made into kitchen and bathroom countertops, its smooth polished surface and elegant veins can add a refined, upscale feel to any space. But as a soft natural stone, marble countertops need careful handling. Acidic liquids can etch the surface, while spills can soak in and stain. With proper sealing and gentle marble countertops cleaning, homeowners can keep them beautiful for many years. Learning marble’s properties is key to maintaining its shine.
Cleaning Marble Countertops
Cleaning and sanitizing your marble countertops regularly is crucial for preventing staining and buildup of bacteria.
What You’ll Need
Having the right cleaning supplies on hand makes marble countertops cleaning much easier. Be sure to have these handy:
- Baking Soda
- Water
- Plastic Wrap
- Spray Bottle
- Microfiber Cloths
- Clean Dish Towel
- Dish Soap
- Soft Sponge
Having these supplies ready under your sink or in a nearby closet will make quick cleanups after meal prep or bathroom breaks seamless. Keep your countertops looking like new with these 5 essential tips for safely getting marble squeaky clean:
1. Blot Spills Quickly
The first step when spills or stains happen is to quickly blot the liquid with an absorbent towel so it does not seep deep into the stone. Letting moisture sit leads to darker staining over time. Gently dab a paper towel – no harsh rubbing!
2. Create a pH-balanced Cleaner
For routine cleaning, mix together a mild soap solution. Use a few drops of gentle dish detergent or mild dish soap, specially formulated for natural stone diluted in warm water. Vinegar, ammonia, and other acidic cleaners will etch marble so they should be avoided.
3. Apply Cleaner and Wipe
Dip a soft lint-free cloth into your cleaner and gently wipe down the entire surface. Uniform cleaning prevents water stains. Never use abrasive pads or scrubbers that could scratch the marble’s surface. Buff the stained area dry with a clean towel.
4. Disinfect Properly
For disinfecting and removing stuck-on messes, make a poultice with baking soda and water into a spreadable, thick paste. Apply to soiled areas, allow to sit for 5 minutes then wipe clean. Baking soda naturally lifts stains without harsh chemicals.
5. Rinse and Dry
After any cleaning, rinse thoroughly with warm water to eliminate soap residue which causes dulling. Dry the counter fully with soft towels – standing moisture damages most surfaces and dull spots over time.
With these best practices, you can keep your marble countertops sanitary while maintaining their crystalline brilliance.
Choosing the Right Cleaning Products
Doing regular and careful marble countertops cleaning is important to keep polished marble countertops looking beautiful for many years. Everyday cleaners like vinegar, lemon juice, Clorox, 409, and Lysol are too harsh to use on marble though. They can badly damage and ruin marble’s pretty shine and smooth surface over time.
To safely clean marble countertops, it’s key to use only gentle cleaners specifically made for natural stone like marble. Check cleaner labels to make sure they say safe for marble and won’t etch or scratch the porous stone below. Even though these nice marble cleaners may require some extra effort to remove grime, they’ll maintain your counters without wrecking the surface. For disinfecting marble, find a cleaner without alcohol that’s designed for sealed stone. Selecting the proper marble countertops cleaning products takes some care, but it keeps your counters sparkling for decades!
Removing Marble Countertops Stains
Despite our best efforts, stubborn stains inevitably happen – red wine gets sloshed, oils drip from the range, and kids leave juice sitting out. When spots appear, prompt action is key for marble countertops cleaning. Identify spill sources immediately and tackle stains while still wet if possible. Consulting the manufacturer or installer for stain ID and remedies can be tremendously helpful too. They have extensive experience with common culprits. Arm yourself with the recommended cleaner for that substance. Some persistent stains may require professional intervention if they set into the porous marble surface.
Prevent Damaging your Kitchen Marble Countertops
An ounce of protection prevents pounds of repairs when caring for natural stone. Always set hot pots, pans, and baking sheets on trivets or boards to shield from thermal shock cracking the crystalline structure. Coasters catch condensation rings and water marks too. Keeping food prep contained on a cutting board avoids deep gouges ruining the polished patina. During meals, use placemats or trays under serving dishes and condensation-prone glasses.
At cleanup, immediately blot wet spills with a dry cloth, to remove stains and lift staining risks. Stay consistent in shielding marble’s vulnerability, and enjoy worry-free beauty for decades.
Sealing Marble Countertops
While sealing is touted as a marble must-do, it may not be necessary for all stone varieties or finishes. To test if your counters would benefit, place a few drops of mineral oil or water in a few inconspicuous spots and let them sit briefly before wiping them away. If darker marks emerge, a sealant’s protective barrier is advised. Seek out premium sealers made specifically for natural stone countertops, checking application guidelines to handle moisture shielding based on traffic levels.
Typically three to six-month reapplication provides adequate staining and etching defense if products are compatible with marble countertops cleaning routines. Get professional assistance selecting the best sealer formula and renewing as necessary.
Marble Surface Maintenance and Repair
Keeping marble countertops easy on the eyes takes a little bit of care. Use soft cloths and gentle cleaners made just for natural stone. These lift dirt without damaging marble over time. Harsh chemicals can ruin marble’s special sparkle. Be extra careful to put hot stuff on trivets and cut only on boards. This stops stains or scratches from messing up the smooth finish. Still, spills and cracks happen now and then. When they do, call a repair person to fix it up. The pros have special tools to make marble look new again in no time. Checking once a year that all is well is smart too. Looking after marble day-to-day keeps it dazzling for years to come. With some easy habits, marble stays easy and beautiful to live with each day.
Marble Countertops Best Tips for Long-Term Care
Use a damp cloth and gentle dish soap to clean marble surfaces. Rinse well and dry the surface with a microfiber cloth in a circular motion. Avoid using acidic cleaners, abrasive materials, and harsh chemicals that can damage the stone.
How to Buff Marble
Use a dry, super fine-grade steel wool to buff out etch marks on marble surfaces. Wear gloves to protect your hands from the abrasive steel wool. Buff the surface in a circular motion to remove any remaining moisture.
Removing Paint and Adhesives
Remove small paint drips with lacquer thinner and a clean cloth. Scrape off larger paint and stains from the marble top with a razor blade. Use a commercial paint stripper to remove larger paint and stains from the marble top, but be careful not to etch the surface.
Bringing in the Countertops Experts
Deciding on a countertop material involves weighing marble countertops pros and cons including upkeep needs and durability. Caring for natural stone often feels like an intimidating responsibility of homeownership. But remember, you don’t have to figure out every cleaning method or repair job alone. Professional countertop installers and home remodelers deal with caring for marble and other high-end materials daily. They have all the specialty equipment and expertise needed to gently clean, buff out blemishes, re-seal, and refresh your investment.
Have a vision for upgrading your home with elegant marble countertops but feeling overwhelmed trying to maintain their brilliance? At Cabinets City, our kitchen and bath remodelers have all the expertise for installing and caring for natural stone surfaces. Simply reach out to our team for gentle yet effective servicing per manufacturer guidelines.
