Strong, yet Sensitive
Marble is bold and beautiful. Just as it was a prized material in ancient times, a marble kitchen countertop makes an aesthetically pleasing and highly functional addition to any home.
A strong, yet sensitive stone that can be susceptible to wear and tear over time. Learning to care for your marble is a craft. Learn some of our best-kept secrets from over 40+ years in business!
Caring for Your Stone
Protecting and restoring the impeccable look of marble countertops takes effort, but thankfully not a lot! The following are a few basic principles to treat your marble right:
1. Seal
Marble is a soft and highly porous stone, so you will need to stay on top of keeping it sealed to keep any etches or stains at bay. Test the surface by dropping water droplets on the countertop. Return to the spot in five to ten minutes. If the drops are still there, the surface is still well sealed; if the drops have dissolved into the surface, it is time to reseal!
When your marble needs resealing, you can do-it-yourself (DIY). We recommend using our Premium Silicone Sealer. This is one of the highest quality stain protection sealers available for natural stone surfaces. We also recommend professionally sealing marble countertops every 3-5 years depending on the wear and tear of your marble. If you start to notice lots of stains and etches, it’s time to call the experts!
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314P Premium Silicone Sealer
$55.25
2. Protect
Treat marble like you would a fine wood finish. Use coasters and cutting boards and avoid leaving wet dishes or glasses to dry directly on the marble surface. The only way to prevent marble etching and staining is to prevent contact with liquids and cleaners that cause these deficiencies.
That said, accidents, spills, and mishaps are almost unavoidable and imminent in every kitchen. If you spill something wipe it up immediately! Don’t let it sit on the stone. If you notice any markings after cleaning the countertop, then chances are the marble is either stained or etched. See below for spot repair options.
3. Clean
The first thing you’ll want to know about cleaning marble is to avoid using acidic or abrasive cleaners as they will cause surface damage. Instead, use pH-neutral cleaners – such as soft dish soap – or cleaners that are specifically designed for the upkeep of marble.
For polished marble we recommend The Marble Clinic’s R311; this spray is buffed with a paper towel and maintains a clean, polished surface incredibly smooth to the touch. For honed surfaces try MC24 and a soft sponge – this pH-neutral soap will not produce a shine like a spray product.
Both products are designed to maintain and prolong the life of impregnating sealers. If you would prefer not to use specialized products, we recommend some soft dish-soap (our favourite is Dawn) and warm water.
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R-311 Countertop Cleaner
$21.00
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MC 24 Daily Stone Cleaner
$32.00 – $100.00
4. Spot Repair
Before attempting any spot repairs, make sure you understand the difference between marble etching and staining. This is an important distinction to make as etches and stains get treated differently on marble surfaces.
To remove stains, we recommend using Poultice Stain Remover. Poultice is a super absorbent compund that removes saturated stains from marble and natural stone surfaces. Learn more about removing stains from marble here.
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Poultice Stain Remover
$24.00
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Marble Refinishing Kit
$69.50
Try to apply these principals to properly care for and maintain your marble for years to come! For professional sealing, every 3-5 years or whenever in doubt on how to treat stains, etches or scratches, call the experts! The Marble Clinic is happy to provide a free consultation.
Hello, any details specific for Carrara marble? What is a detergent compared to soap?
Hi Dana,
Carrara is rather soft and requires more regular maintenance. I’d highly recommend R311 as a regular cleaner if it’s on your countertop, or MC24 if it’s shower or floors. You should seal it with 314p on a regular basis.
RE: soap vs detergent – typically speaking, detergent is usually synthetic.
Let me know if you have any more questions!
Hello-
We moved in a few months ago into our new home and because of the pandemic, we have nine people living with us. All is well except for my honed carrera Marble island. Between wiping down for germs etc and lots of “cooking traffic”, example, last night pineapple was left on the countertop; it wasn’t discovered for about 30 minutes…I can now see the patterns of nine pineapples all across the island.
Should I DIY re surface it? What other suggestions do you have? Thank you!
Hi Debbie,
The Marble Refinishing Kit should help, and because it’s honed you’ll just have to be careful not to over-polish. That’s probably your best option, next to having one of our crews come to fix it for you!