How to Clean Marble Countertops

Have you finally installed the marble countertops of your dreams, but now wonder how in the world to keep them looking good? It may not be as difficult as you think, but it’s important to know a few basics so you are prepared to keep your tops looking great for years to come.

Keeping marble countertops and tile clean is actually simpler than you'd think, but, as with maintaining any surface and most things in life, you need to know what you’re dealing with. There’s everyday marble cleaning and then there's the kind of cleaning you have to employ if Uncle Johnny spills Cabernet across the length of your beautiful, white marble island. No need to dis-own Uncle Jonny or cause a family war, here’s how to clean marble and keep it looking great.

Supplies You'll Want to Keep on Hand

a sealant of your choice -we recommend Revitalizer by StoneTech

mild soap and water

hydrogen peroxide

ammonia

liquid cleaner

#0000 steel wool

It’s helpful to understand how marble really acts. Marble is more porous than other common countertop materials like quartz, so it can be prone to staining and etching (etching looks like light scratching). You’ll want to clean and seal yours regularly. Prevention is key. Whatever marble you have in your home, sealing it every few months is a good idea. According to the Marble Institute of America, a sealer won’t make the stone stain-proof but it does make it more stain resistant—giving you a little more time to get to any spills.  

For routine maintenance and spills you catch quickly, warm, soapy water is the best for the job. Just make sure to rinse well, wipe up any standing water, and thoroughly dry the counter. For marble, acid is the enemy—so do your best to keep things like wine and lemon juice, or even cleaning supplies that contain vinegar, away from the surface. And if they do spill, wipe them up as quickly as possible.

If you don’t catch a spill quickly, all is not lost! For most food stains, the Marble Institute recommends cleaning with a solution of 12% hydrogen peroxide and a few drops of ammonia. If you spilled anything oil-based, like a vinaigrette, and the stain has set, attack it gently with a liquid cleanser that contains “household detergent, mineral spirits, or acetone.”

But what about etching? I find this is the biggest fear for people who have marble countertops. For water spots, light scratches, and nicks, try buffing your marble lightly with dry #0000 steel wool. Anything deeper than surface level scratches will require a professional’s help. If you left a lemon out on the counter go ahead and try the above recommendations. If that trick doesn’t work, it will likely need to be polished by a professional.

I hope these tips and tricks are helpful and help you enjoy your marble countertops even more. Do you have any tips and tricks for how to care for your marble tops? I’d love to hear. Email me at jessica@webbercoleman.com