HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR MARBLE COUNTERTOPS?
Marble is one of the most beautiful and durable stones out there. However, it is susceptible to etching and since it is more porous than other stones it can scratch, crack, and stain more easily. Therefore, Marble countertops require some extra work when taking care of them.
Don’t panic it is not as complicated as it sounds and we are here to help!
There are only three things to remember when taking care of your marble countertops: protection, cleaning, and maintenance.
Protection
The easiest thing you can do to take care of your marble countertops is to protect them on a daily basis. Acidic foods and drinks like tomatoes, citrus, fruit juices, sodas, wine, coffee, and vinegar can damage the marble and cause etching. To avoid this always use a cutting board when prepping food and wipe any spills immediately.
We also recommend using trivets, placemats, and coasters under plates, glasses, and hot pans!
Cleaning
Marble countertops should be at least cleaned once a week. Although, ideally they should be wiped down every time you use them. Regular cleaning products, especially bleach and ammonia, should be avoided as they will only etch the surface and dull the finish.
Instead, for dry cleaning just gently dust with a soft microfibre cloth. For wet cleaning, spray your counters with soapy water and gently scrub with a damp cloth, then rinse and dry with a soft towel.
Maintenance
Sealing your countertops is essential to avoid damaging the marble, each type of marble will require a different time frame on how often to do it and we are happy to guide you in the process. But to simplify things here is a little tip: Whenever you notice that water fails to bead up when it splashes, is time for a resealing.
Now, things always happen in the kitchen and some spills and stains are impossible to avoid. If this happens there is a fourth thing to keep in mind.
Stain Removal
There are many products out there that claim they can take stains out of marble countertops and even get mild etching out. However, we want to share with you a formula with natural products. Our method of choice works with quartzite and granite countertops as well.
Mix a little bit of baking soda with water until you form a paste. Spread it on top of the stain and cover it with a cling film. Let it rest up to 24 hours and then gently remove and wipe the excess with a damp cloth; your stain will be gone.