Marble is a beautiful natural building material that requires just a little bit of extra care to keep it looking great and to avoid staining and etching. With proper cleaning, your marble countertops can stay looking new and lustrous for years.
Clean spills promptly
Wipe up any spills and messes as soon as they happen with a soft cloth or sponge. Marble is a porous stone and stains easily, so deal with messes right away.
For everyday cleaning, you can simply use a microfiber cloth dampened with water and follow up by wiping it dry with a dry cloth. Do not use vinegar or other acidic cleaners on marble as this can cause etching which will dull the surface.
Preventing stains from happening in the first place is the best policy. Use coasters to avoid setting damp glasses directly on the countertop. Consider using trays to keep products that might spill or rust off the surface.
To clean stains
For very light stains you can use a paste of baking soda applied with a damp sponge. Rub it in, then rinse with a wet rag and dry thoroughly. If that doesn’t work, there are many commercial marble cleaners available at most home goods retailers.
A solution of 20% hydrogen peroxide and water with a few drops of ammonia can be applied to organic stains and let it sit for 24 hours, then rinse with a wet cloth and dry. For oil and grease based stains, you can use corn starch. Apply to the oily area, let it sit for a day, then brush off and clean with a mild dish detergent and water. Repeat as necessary.
To polish and shine
You can polish your marble countertop with crushed chalk. Simply crush the chalk into a fine dust and apply with a cloth, rubbing it into the marble. After this is done, wipe it off with a damp cloth and dry completely. Your countertops will shine!
Using these methods, keeping your marble countertops will be a breeze. Remember, the sooner you get to a spill, the easier it will be to deal with.