Marble produces a beauty that lasts. Think about the ancient Roman statues that still stand today. This durable beauty does need a bit of help though; maintaining marble countertops will help them last a lifetime-or more.
Protect Your Investment
Your marble countertop was probably sealed before or after installation. If not, sealing your countertop should be priority. Sealing will give you some protection from stains, but the biggest benefit is that sealing will give you extra time before a stain sets. This extra clean up time will allow you to finish a task and come back to clean up a spill.
Sealing your marble countertops is a bit like waxing a car. Wipe it on; wipe it off. Expect your sealer to last three years under normal use. A coat of wax will add another level of protection, but don't wax white marble-the wax will yellow the marble.
As a final step, be sure to protect your surfaces from everyday abuse. Use coasters, trivets and cutting boards for entertaining and food prep. Consider that trace chemicals found in water can etch a marble surface and leave permanent rings that can only be removed with sanding and buffing. The best marble maintenance advice is to never let it come in contact with abrasive substances.
Clean Up On Counter Nine
If you do spill something, clean it up as quickly as possible. Wine, juices and vinegar all contain acid. Acid will etch your marble countertops and leave a flat or cloudy splotch. Etched marble can only be repaired with sanding and buffing: not a job for the faint of heart.
When cleaning your marble countertops, use a clean sponge or damp cloth. Warm water and a little pH-neutral soap are all you need to clean most spills. Specialized stone cleaners are available and are certainly useful, but for spills and spot cleaning, mild soap is fine.
Avoid abrasive or harsh cleaners. Even mild abrasives will scratch or cloud the surface of marble countertops. Ammonia-based cleaners will etch marble as well. Avoid window cleaners and general-purpose cleaners that contain ammonia or vinegar.
 | Dreaming of the look of marble countertops? You'll either need to stay out of the kitchen or put in a lot of work to keep them looking new. |
 | Granite is a durable stone that was once volcanic lava. Tough and beautiful, granite is a popular choice for kitchen and bathroom countertops. Caring for granite countertops is a simple chore that will keep your investment looking new for years to come. |
Cultured marble countertops cost more than laminate, but are about half the cost of solid surface or granite. Cultured marble is an economical replacement for real marble and a great upgrade from laminate countertops. |
If you are renovating or have moved into an older house, you may be wondering how to clean old, unfinished marble countertops. |
Marble is quarried all over the world and is sold as slabs that are custom cut for each installation. Marble's unique veining comes from being formed at great pressure over millions of years. A marble countertop is a one-of-a-kind work of art. |
