Since marble is a natural stone, there are some things you need to know before buying and deploying it into service. Unquestionably, it’s the most elegant and striking natural stone material that’s currently being utilized in modern home design; however, some TLC is required for kitchen use. A kitchen with marble countertops could sell ten times faster than a kitchen with other natural or engineered stone countertops; therefore, taking care of them during everyday kitchen-warfare becomes important.

If you’re like the average adult with busy family life, your kitchen countertops are getting used. For those who want or have newly acquired marble countertops? To keep them functional in the kitchen while maintaining their pristine beauty and value, you can use the four steps below to protect your investment.

Step 1: Sealing the Marble

Although marble is strong enough to be a countertop material, it’s also porous. This means that marble has a tendency to absorb water and other liquids. Due to the fact that most kitchen countertops generally have a sink in them, frequent contact with water is inevitable. It’s very important to seal your marble countertops before you start using them on a daily basis in the kitchen. Additionally, you will need to seal your marble countertops on a regular basis to prevent staining from liquids and foods.

Step 2: Daily Kitchen Care

In the real world, kitchen countertops are subjected to acidic foods and drinks such as soda, tomatoes, citrus fruits, wine, fruit juice, vinegar, and coffee on a daily basis. When preparing foods on a marble countertop, any spills should be wiped up immediately. It’s also a good idea to use a cutting board or a protective sheet when using sharp objects such as knives. Marble is heat resistant; however, a trivet should be used to protect your marble as well as coasters under glasses containing liquids. The most important thing to remember is to wipe the surface dry when you’re done using any foods or liquids on it.

Step 3: Weekly Cleaning

You should be cleaning your marble surface at least once a week for maximum protection. You can use a soft microfiber cloth and dampen it with a pH-neutral solution designed for cleaning stone. Marble cleaning products are available online and with local retailers or you can make your own by using a spray bottle filled with water and dish soap. Simply spray the surface and wipe dry with a damp cloth. You should also be careful not to use cleaning products that contain citrus, orange, lemon juice, ammonia, bleach or vinegar.

Step 4: Routine Maintenance

Marble countertops need to be sealed on a regular basis as suggested by the manufacturer. They should be resealed at least once a year or when water fails to bead up on the surface. On the other hand, there are certain types of marble that do not require sealers; therefore, check with your retailer about the sealing requirements for the slab you bought. You can use a marble polishing powder for mild etching or mix baking soda and water into a paste for stubborn stains. Apply the paste to the stain and wait at least 12 hours before gently wiping clean with a damp cloth.

Additional Information & Tips

Although marble provides a durable and luxurious stone surface for kitchen countertops, it does require special care and routine maintenance to keep them looking new. Marble is susceptible to etching from any products containing acids, and it’s also more porous than granite. If you treat your marble like granite, you may discover more pitting, cracks, stains, scratches or dulling of the surface. Another good hack for stains on marble is to mix cornstarch and water together until it forms a paste. Apply for 12 hours and wipe clean with a damp cloth.

Now that you’re educated on how to care for marble countertops in the kitchen, you can lay the ground rules down to the rest of your family members. Your guests should also being given some friendly do’s and don’ts when using liquids or foods on your marble countertop. Installing marble countertops is a considerable investment; therefore, going the extra mile to protect them is in your best interest.

Whether you’re in the market to have repairs done to your existing marble countertop, want a new marble countertop or if you need some additional advice on cleaning products and sealers for marble, fill out the contact form and your inquiry will be answered shortly.