Marble countertops are a beautiful and potentially long-lasting investment in your home. You will want to clean marble countertops properly because you don’t want to risk damaging that investment or reducing the beauty of your countertops. Using improper cleaning products is a common way that marble becomes damaged.
Taking preventive measures to protect your marble countertops before they get damaged is the best route. Use coasters, a tray, or hot pads to protect the marble from anything that could cause stains or etching if placed directly on the countertop. If, however, it is too late for protective measures and it is time to clean the countertop – start with a soft cloth and warm water.
Running to the store to pick up an inexpensive cleaning product might seem like the natural first choice, but there are a lot of cleaners you will want to avoid. An occasional wipe-down with a mild detergent isn’t likely to damage your marble. Once or twice a year should be okay, but repeated use of even a mild detergent can cause dulling of the finish.
You won’t want to use “natural” and citrus cleaners like orange or lemon because the high acidity is likely to etch the marble – meaning it will eat the shiny coating where it touches unless wiped off quickly and completely. Avoid any cleaner that is not specifically for marble or stone because many chemicals can damage the finish and weaken the sealant.
A light coat of wax can be applied – but never to white marble as it turns yellow with wax. Applying a marble sealer is always a better choice. Sealer helps protect the marble from stains while some professional cleaners recommend avoiding waxes on marble countertops. It also makes it easier to clean marble countertops with a damp cloth.
A lustrous shine can be restored to dull marble countertops by using a commercial cleaner and polish. Putty powder can also be rubbed onto dull and etched marble with a damp cloth. Companies that sell marble are the best place to find commercial grade marble cleaners and polishes while putty powder is harder to find.
If you have a stain on your marble countertop, can’t get commercial marble cleansers and sealers, and you know what the stain is – you can take a small white napkin or cloth and make a patch moistened with an appropriate cleanser. Organic stains like coffee, tea and soft drinks can be treated with peroxide and a few drops of ammonia. (Be careful with the ammonia because it can cause etching if you use too much.) Put the moistened patch directly over the stain and keep it damp with plastic wrap for one hour up to two days. Oily stains like butter or hand lotion can be treated by applying corn starch and letting it set for a couple of hours. Then brush it off and if more is needed apply more corn starch and let it set for 24 hours before brushing off.
Cleaning marble countertops is a worthwhile part of maintaining their value and beauty. If you have any stains that don’t come clean with these measures – don’t give up. All natural stone can be repaired so it is always possible to consult a professional stone restorer to restore the beauty of your marble countertops.
Sources
http://www.countertopspecialty.com/cleaning-marble.html#INV
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/marble
