Marble has seen a resurgence in popularity in modern homes over the past few decades. It’s understandable, considering how beautiful it is, and how many varieties there are out there which allow everyone to express their own unique tastes. It’s a durable, relatively affordable stone that never really goes out of style, which can also contribute greatly to a house’s resale value down the line.
However, just because it’s a natural stone does not mean that it’s indestructible. The very fact that it can be cut and shaped and polished means that it is vulnerable to damage if not cleaned and Cared for properly. While it’s definitely more durable than something like Formica or old-fashioned wooden countertops, it is entirely possible to damage or countertop without realizing it.
Considering it’s a significant investment, it’s best to know how to care for your countertops, and how to clean them the proper way. So, we’re going to look at exactly that today. Going to go over what to do when spills happen, what materials to use and not use, and some various measures you can take to ensure that you don’t damage your countertops during day-to-day tasks.
Vulnerability
First, let’s take a moment to understand how marble is vulnerable. Marble does not absorb stains, as it’s not porous enough to do so. However, like most other natural stone, it’s actually comprised of a series of pistols made of various different minerals interlaced together. These minerals are susceptible to chemical reactions and abrasive damage.
Most cases of what people perceive as stains on marble, such as rings and blotches, are actually erosions into the surface caused by acidic compounds. No amount of stain remover will repair this damage, and in many cases, they’ll make it even worse.
Proper Cleaning
When a spill happens, you should clean it up immediately with a sponge or soft cloth. Do not use paper towels, or abrasive things such as steel wool or scrubbing pads. You should never use common household cleaners, or tile and grout cleaner on your marble.
Proper Care
Of course, the best way to prevent severe damage is to take proper care of your countertops and floors in the first place. First, you should always use cutting boards and trays when working with food or when placing toiletries on your countertop. The chemicals in various foods and toiletries can at your countertop by eating away at the minerals in the stone.
Similarly, using a cutting board can prevent scratches, gouges and other such abrasive damage which can weaken the stone even further.
As far as marble floors go, you should dust mop them regularly, and use runners or rugs to reduce the amount of debris being ground into the surface. On that note, you should avoid using highly polished marble for your floors, opting for honed or tumbled marble, as it won’t be nearly as slippery when mopped.
A Last Note on Sealant
There are in fact various marble sealing products which can be used for bathrooms, kitchens and floors. However, not every type of marble nor type of polish is compatible with this type of sealant, so you should always consult an expert in natural stone before applying them.
If you take proper care to clean your marble the right way, and take the appropriate efforts to not damage it in the first place, your marble floors and countertops should last you a lifetime and then some.
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