How To Care for Marble Countertops: 7 Tips

Marble kitchen countertops are all the rage thanks to their beautiful appearance and versatility of design. This classic material is extremely popular but is somewhat more fragile than other countertop materials, so you need to know how to care for marble countertops. To help you out, the team at Kitchens by Woody’s is here with some useful marble surface care tips. 

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1. Avoid Acids

The first rule of marble countertop protection is avoiding acidic substances. Acid is one of the biggest culprits for damaging marble countertops. Acidic and harsh substances, like vinegar or bleach, can etch striation in the surface and damage the sealant. Similarly, you should avoid acidic foods making direct contact with the surface, such as tomatoes and citrus fruits.

2. Clean Spills Quickly

Even if you are as careful as possible, you will probably spill some things on your marble countertops. If you create a spill, be sure to clean it up as quickly as possible. Marble is porous, so liquid spills can seep into the material and cause stains that are very difficult to remove. 

You can remove stains using a mild soap and some ammonia, but larger stains will require a bit of elbow grease. You can use a small razor to remove paint stains and a rough-surface pad to buff out water stains and spots. 

3. Watch Out for Heat

Prevention is key when considering how to care for marble countertops. For example, many homeowners believe they can place hot pans and pots directly on their marble countertops, as you can do with granite. However, excessive heat causes marble to become discolored and crack. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to cover your counter with a protective surface before placing hot kitchenware or appliances on top.

4. Avoid Smoke

Marble countertops are a great way to make your kitchen look more expensive, but they are susceptible to several common kitchen phenomena, such as smoke. A marble countertop might look great next to your BBQ smoker, but all that smoke can build up on your countertops and cause them to stain. 

Ensure that all smoke in your kitchen has proper ventilation and that you wipe down your marble countertops after using a smoke-creating appliance. You can remove soot and smoke residue using a mixture of neutral pH soap, hydrogen peroxide, and baking soda. 

5. Use a Sealing Agent

Another tip on how to care for marble countertops is to use a sealing agent. You should reseal your marble countertops once every six to twelve months. Marble sealing agents contain a special liquid resin mixture that hardens into an impermeable layer to keep water and liquids out. Sealants can protect your marble from the worst damage, but you should still clean up stains quickly, or else they can seep through the sealant. 

6. Don’t Use Rough Scrubbers

If you have a sticky stain on your marble countertops, your first instinct might be to reach for a scouring pad or some steel wool. However, you should always avoid using rough materials when cleaning and polishing marble. The abrasive fibers in some rags and steel wool can damage sealant and leave scratches on the surface. 

Instead, you should use a soft microfiber cloth for cleaning marble surfaces. The small fibers won’t scratch the marble. The only time you should use a rougher cleaning rag is when trying to remove stubborn stains and water spots. 

7. Prep Surfaces Before Cleaning

With marble, you must prep the surface first before you clean it. You can prep your countertops by removing all dust, dirt, and other particles. If you try cleaning your countertops without dusting, the particles might end up scratching the finish. 

How Long Do Marble Countertops Last?

Marble is a natural stone, so it has a fairly long lifespan compared to other countertop materials. Marble is not as tough as granite, so most manufacturers assign a 20-year lifespan to their countertops. However, if you follow these marble care tips and perform regular marble countertop maintenance, your countertops could last up to 50 years or even longer.

Award-Winning Kitchen Remodeling in West Virginia

Kitchens By Woody’s offers award-winning kitchen and bathroom remodeling services in West Virginia. If you have any questions about kitchen countertop material and how to care for marble countertops or would like to schedule an appointment with our contractors, send us a message online or call today at (304) 814-2268!