Cleaning

Properly Cleaning Marble Countertops

Properly Cleaning Marble Countertops

Marble is a beautiful stone that is offered in a variety of different styles, each adding their own unique, attractive touch to your kitchen or bathroom. Marble is very durable and can last forever, provided it is properly maintained. Cleaning marble is an entirely different process than cleaning other types of hard surfaces, as marble can easily be damaged by accidental scratching or leaving something too hot on its surface.  The easiest way to avoid blemishes on your granite countertops is to clean them frequently and properly.

Marble is a carbonate and can be easily damaged by any acid, meaning even the tiniest splash of lemon juice can leave subtle marks called etches. Since acid works against marble, you want to avoid common acidic natural cleaners like vinegar and lemon juice.  There are commercial stone cleaners that are safe to use on your marble counters, but they can be costly. The job is truly as simple as soap and water! The best way to clean a marble countertop is to use a simple cleanser:

  • Mix warm water and gentle dish soap in a spray bottle – don’t use anything that contains acid or lemon juice.
  • Spray the counter with the solution.
  • Wipe with a hot, wet dish cloth. Make sure the cloth is not abrasive, as this can damage the marble in a matter of seconds.
  • Dry and buff with a towel.

A good tip to help prevent etching is to immediately blot up all spills once they comes into contact with the marble surface. You can avoid etch marks by avoiding generic, store-bought acidic cleansers and abrasives, and wiping up moisture from the countertop surface. This will help to keep your marble countertop looking its best. In the event you do get an unfortunate etch mark on your marble surface, fear not – there are ways to remove them.  To remove etch marks from a marble countertop, the experts at Stone Tech Fabrication suggest the following steps:

  • Rinse the area treated with mineral water.
  • Pour hydrogen peroxide solution in a glass and dampen the counter with this liquid.
  • Mix the remaining liquid with a white absorbent material (molding plaster, untreated white flour, white tissue, paper towels, powdered chalk, talc, fullers earth or laundry whiting) to form a paste with the consistency of oatmeal or cake icing.
  • Using a wooden or plastic spatula, apply the paste to the surface no more than ¼ inch thick.
  • Cover the poultice with plastic sheeting and seal with masking tape and let sit for 48 hours.
  • Once 48 hours is done, dampen the material and remove the poultice with a wooden or plastic spatula to avoid scratching the surface.
  • Thoroughly rinse the cleansed area with mineral water and blot with clean towels to dry.

Follow these simple DIY steps and you can get those glaring etch marks right off your marble countertop and regain that brand-new, polished look!