Marble, granite, and other natural stone countertops make for elegant statement pieces in the kitchen. Not to mention, marble countertops provide a smooth, cool surface to work with, and marble is the ideal material for countertops in bakeries and chocolateries where temperature needs to be kept cool.
While most countertops are sealed with a protective layer, they are not immune to organic stains, etching, and general grime from everyday use. To preserve the swirls and veining pattern of your marble countertop, you'll need to know the proper cleaning and care methods to keep your marble durable for a long time.
What You'll Need
- Mild soap - ideally Castile soap or Mild dish soap OR
- A non-acidic commercial marble cleaner
- Marble polishing powder or Baking soda
- Soft cloth or Sponge
- Spray bottle
How to Clean Marble Countertops: A Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Create a Mild Soap Solution
First, create a soapy solution using soap and water in a 1:10 ratio. Soap is non-acidic, so it will not etch or stain your marble. Stick to unscented, uncolored soap like pure castile soap, or some mild dish soap. Diluting these with water will create a stone-safe marble cleaning solution.
Alternatively, you can opt to use commercial cleaning agents made specifically for natural stone. This is the convenient way to care for your marble, albeit slightly more expensive. Both GraniteGold and Stone Care have cleaning products and grout cleaners safe for marble.
Step 2: Spray Solution on Countertops
Clean marble countertops using your preferred solution in a spray bottle. Spritz the entire surface of your marble countertops, and you can use the same solution to clean your marble floors too! Use a sponge to wipe clean any grime, and to spread the soap and water solution across the surface.
Focus wiping on stained and discolored spots to lift out the dirt. Use only a soft cloth or the non-abrasive side of a sponge to clean marble countertops as abrasive scrubbing tools may leave scratches on the surface.
The spray solution should be able to remove most dirt, oils, and stains, including soap scum, and mineral deposits from hard water. Using dish soap will give your solution degreasing properties, which dissolves oil-based stains as well.
Step 3: Wipe Dry
Wipe your countertop dry to prevent any moisture damage. Use a microfiber cloth to avoid leaving any fibers behind, and don't forget to wipe beneath the countertop, and the table legs for a complete top to bottom clean.
Step 4: Polish Marble
For heavy stains, take some baking soda or a polishing powder, and follow the instructions on removing stains and etch marks. Use a cloth to scrub gently in a circular motion, focusing on stained spots. This should lift the stains off your marble, but be careful not to use too much pressure when scrubbing to avoid scratching the surface.
Step 5: Seal Marble (Optional)
Sealing marble countertops is an optional but recommended step. Every year or so, have your marble professionally sealed to protect it from moisture damage, stains, and oils. Sealing your marble also gives it a glassy look that will highlight the patterns on your countertop!
What to Avoid When Cleaning Marble Countertops
There are a couple of dont's when it comes to cleaning marble counters. Marble is a high-maintenance material that requires some level of care, but when properly maintained, the natural stone can last through generations! Here's how to keep your marble countertop clean:
- Avoid ALL acidic substances: lemon juice, vinegar, and corrosive or acidic cleaning solutions. Acidic solutions like lemon juice will etch marble, causing rough, cloudy-white marks on the surface.
- Avoid using abrasive tools like steel wool and scouring pads. These will cause scratches in the marble, which will be the start of moisture damage.
- Avoid using freshly-boiled water on your marble as the heat may cause the stone to crack. Similarly, do not place any hot pots or pans on top of marble.
- Avoid letting stains stay on marble too long. Clean marble daily for the best care, and always keep marble dry to keep it durable.
- Avoid using all-purpose or multi-purpose cleaners, particularly ones that have acidic ingredients. When in doubt, use only cleaners that are marketed as stone-safe.
The Best Cleaning and Care
At Luce Home, we know how difficult home maintenance can be when your to-do list is already packed with work and personal schedules. Make cleaning and home care easy with our cleaning services - guaranteed to upkeep your home in the safest and most sanitized way!
Looking for more cleaning tips? Head over to our blog to read up on kitchen cleaning hacks!
