Marble has been a staple in the European kitchens for a long time and is now securing a place in almost every part of the world. While deciding that you want marble countertops in your kitchen is easy; figuring out the color, shape, size, and finish can be a tricky task. But, the most daunting part is how do you maintain a marble countertop? It takes massive effort to care for this elegant stone owing to its porous nature.
If you have a marble countertop in your kitchen where most cooking happens, it won’t always look pristine. It becomes even more necessary to maintain it to preserve the natural beauty of the stone.
Are you wondering how to maintain marble countertops? You’re in the right place. Keep reading to learn how to keep your marble countertops looking good.
How Can You Take Care of Marble Countertops?
Marble is a highly durable and beautiful stone ideal for kitchen countertops, but it requires extra care for maintenance and cleaning. Since it consists of calcium carbonate, making it susceptible to etching by any kind of acid. It is also more porous and softer than other stones like granite, making the scratches, cracks, stains, and pitting more evident.
Owing to it, you must take care of marble countertops to keep their shine intact. Here are a few things to keep in mind for maintaining the marble countertops in your home:
#1 Seal the Marble Countertop
Because of marble’s highly porous nature, it is imperative to seal the surface to protect it. When you buy a marble countertop, there is no sealant on it, but you can install one later. You can apply the sealant yourself by simply wiping it on a clean and dry surface using a soft cloth.
Despite the finish of your marble countertop, you can get a sealant for it. Most of the countertops are either polished to offer a glossy surface or honed to produce a softer matte surface. While honed marble countertops don’t show scratches, it is still susceptible to stains.
Using a sealant will protect the countertop for a year at least. When you no longer witness water drops beading on the countertop, it indicates that you need to use the sealant again.
#2 Clean Your Marble Countertop Daily to Maintain Longevity
To make sure the marble stays in good shape and the sealant stays intact, you must wipe it daily. You can use a sponge or non-abrasive cloth and a mix of water with a mild soap-like detergent. In case of spills, clean it before it seeps into the pores and leads to staining or even discoloration.
Besides that, ensure you only use chopping boards ready to use for food prep. It will prevent food from getting in contact with your kitchen countertop. Using coasters, especially for red wine glasses or coffee mugs, will prove helpful in maintaining it.
Marble countertops are not only prone to stains but also etching. They are dull marks on the surface caused by contact with acidic things like lemon, tomato sauce, vinegar, and other things. For etching, you may need to use a more aggressive treatment than just basic buffing.
#3 Use Trivet on Marble Surfaces
Marble is a durable and strong stone, which can tolerate heat and increased temperature. But, in a few cases, being suddenly exposed to hot utensils can cause it to break or crack.
To be extra cautious and keep it safe, you must use trivets when serving food in hot pans or pots on the countertop. You can place coasters or placemats under plates and glasses while serving. After the meal is over, clear the countertop immediately to keep it in good shape.
#4 Remove Stains and Etching from the Marble Countertops
In case you have stubborn stains or etching that won’t go away with regular cleaning, you can opt for advanced measures. For etching, you can use a marble polishing powder that is ideal for it.
If you’re dealing with stains, use a baking soda poultice, which tends to work on most stains. You can add baking soda powder to water, make a paste, spread it on the area, and leave it for around 12 to 24 hours. Gently remove the paste and wipe the area clean using a damp cloth.
For deep-set stains, you may even have to re-apply the paste. It will help maintain the shine and finish of the marble countertop in your kitchen that gives it a classy look.
#5 Avoid Using Harsh Cleaners While Cleaning Marble
While you may want to opt for cleaners and other products like bleach or degreasers available in the market to keep your marble countertops clean, it is best to avoid them. They can be too harsh for the surface and may even hamper the sealant. It will leave the countertop prone to damage, stains, and discoloration.
You can use a simple homemade solution to clean the surface. Besides that, you can use a vacuum cleaner or sweep up the loose dirt.
#5 Be Careful While Cooking on Your Marble Countertop
The kitchen countertop suffers the most damage when you are working on or around it. Even if you have the sealant on, it can still inflict damage on the surface, leading to scratches and dullness. You must try to be cautious while cooking to prevent that.
Ensure you use a chopping board to reduce the chance of damage by knives. If you wear a diamond ring while cooking, you might want to take it off as it can also cause scratches.
#6 Don’t Place Products Directly on Marble Countertop
There are plenty of products that go on your kitchen countertop, like containers, bottles of oil, cutlery, and even utensils. While it is easier to just place them directly on the surface of the marble countertop, it can leave stains on it. You can find rings, spots, or dull areas under these products.
Rather than putting it directly, you can hang a decorative tray or cabinet to store them while keeping the countertop clean.
#7 Don’t Sit or Stand on Your Countertop
Marble countertops are not flexible and lack plywood backing. If you put too much weight by standing or sitting on it, the countertop may break.
*** Featured image by Swan Architecture
