And don’t let your kids use your marble countertops as a play area. “Play-Doh is another thing to be careful with because of the dyes used to color it, which can seep into the marble,” DosSantos says.
If anything harmful spills on your marble surface, wipe it up with a nonabrasive cloth as quickly as possible. “For the floor, dusting is even more important because the friction of dust with people walking over the floor over time starts to dull the floor,” DosSantos says. Given time, though, even plain water can start to damage your clean marble.
How do you remove stains from marble?
“With any spill you want to clean it off as fast as possible,” DosSantos says. “Don’t wipe but let the cloth absorb the liquid.” If you don’t catch a spill quickly (hello, red wine spilled by a dinner guests who won’t take a hint at 2 a.m.), there’s hope. For most organic stains, like food, the Natural Stone Institute recommends cleaning with a solution of 12% hydrogen peroxide and a few drops of ammonia. If you’ve spilled anything oil-based, like a vinaigrette, and the stain has set on your light marble countertop, attack it (gently) with a liquid cleanser that contains “household detergent, mineral spirits, or acetone.” You can also try a paste created by mixing one part of 3% hydrogen peroxide mixed with two parts baking soda. Apply the paste to the stain, let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub it off, and rinse and dry the area.
But whatever stain-removing hacks you concoct, make sure you’re careful using them, lest you make the stain worse, DosSantos warns. “If it does stain, there are some homemade poultices, a paste you apply to the stone that pulls the stain from the stone. But these should be tested in an inconspicuous corner first because I have seen this go wrong many times.”
If it’s a stain on a marble surface that you’re not confident you can handle on your own, it may be time to call in the pros. “With stains, it often should be left to a professional, who knows which commercial poultice to use and how strong to make it depending on the stone and color,” DosSantos says.
How do you clean marble floors?
It’s not that different from any other marble surface, according to DosSantos. For marble floors, start with a dust mop because you want to avoid anything abrasive on the surface. Dirt or sand dragged around by a vacuum could do more damage. “With people walking over the marble floor, the friction of dust starts to dull the floor over time.” DosSantos says. After dusting make a warm-water solution. “Mix one gallon of water with some dishwashing soap for oils and grease residue,” he adds. “For a stronger cleaning solution, use a pH-neutral cleaner.”
Need to correct etching? For water spots, light scratches, and nicks, try buffing the marble with dry #0000 steel wool. Anything deeper than surface level scratches will require a professional’s help.
Does a marble countertop need to be sealed?
“Sealing marble is the most crucial part of protection,” DosSantos says. Whatever marble you have in your home, you need to seal it regularly. According to the Natural Stone Institute, sealants don’t make the stone stain-proof but they do make it more stain-resistant.Check with your marble supplier for product recommendations (and remember to make sure it’s food-safe if you’re using it in the kitchen).
