While marble is a favorite for timeless elegance, it does require more care and maintenance than other natural stone options. Of course, it will look beautiful even with the wear and tear of daily life evident on the surface, but if you want to keep your counters and tiles looking new, here are a few tips to follow.

Does Marble Actually Need Special Care?

Marble is a metamorphic rock made mostly of calcium carbonate, which makes it more porous than soapstone or slate. This porosity means marble can absorb liquids and is more prone to staining, etching (dull spots caused by acidic substances), and scratching.

But don’t let that discourage you. With the right sealing, daily maintenance, and quick care for spills, marble will look beautiful for decades.

Daily Care for Marble Countertops

Your kitchen countertops see a lot of action between coffee, citrus fruits, wine, oils, sauces, chocolate chips, butter… the list goes on. To keep marble surfaces looking their best, follow a few daily care tips:

1. Wipe Spills Immediately
   Marble doesn’t react well to acidic liquids like lemon juice or wine. These can cause etching (those dull spots we mentioned earlier). Always wipe up spills right away using a soft cloth or paper towel.
2. Use a Mild Cleaner
   Avoid vinegar, bleach, ammonia, or any acidic or abrasive cleaners since these will cause their own damage. Instead, use a pH-neutral stone cleaner or a mild dish soap diluted in warm water. Wipe with a soft cloth or sponge.
3. Use Cutting Boards and Trivets
   Never cut directly on marble—it can scratch. Always use a cutting board, and place hot pots and pans on trivets rather than directly on the marble surface.

Less-than-daily care includes sealing frequently. Marble should be sealed once or twice a year, depending on how heavily it’s used. A high-quality penetrating sealer will help protect against staining and make cleanup easier.

Caring for Marble Flooring

Marble floors in the kitchen or entryway make a bold statement, but they experience heavy foot traffic, food spills, dropped utensils, and other aspects of daily life. Here’s how to maintain them:

1. Sweep and Mop Regularly
   Dust and dirt can act like sandpaper, dulling the finish over time. Sweep or vacuum daily with a soft brush attachment. Use a damp mop weekly with mild stone floor cleaner. Always check the labels on your cleaning products to be sure they’re safe for marble.
2. Place Rugs in High-Traffic Areas
   Runners and area rugs near sinks, stoves, and doors can help protect your marble floors from wear, water, mud, and dirt.
3. Clean Spills and Grease Quickly
   Greasy spills can stain marble quickly. Just like your countertops, you’ll want to clean up spills quickly to keep your tiles looking beautiful.

Protecting Marble in the Bathroom

From vanity tops to showers and floors, marble is a popular bathroom material for good reason: It’s beautiful, timeless, and can elevate even small spaces. But bathrooms come with their own set of challenges: water spots, soap scum, and beauty products that can dull or stain the stone.

1. Dry Surfaces After Use
   After use, wipe down shower walls, vanities, and floors with a soft towel to prevent mineral buildup and water spots.
2. Use Mild Soap and Stone-Safe Products
   Avoid using regular bathroom cleaners that contain bleach or acids. Instead, choose mild, marble-safe cleaners. Of course, disinfecting is a top priority in bathrooms, so again, always check your labels to see if it’s safe for marble.
3. Avoid Makeup and Toiletry Stains
   Perfume, nail polish remover, toothpaste, and other personal care products can stain or etch marble. To protect the surface, keep items on trays or in organizers.

Removing Stains from Marble

Despite your best efforts, accidents happen. Luckily, many marble stains can be treated at home with a simple paste that draws out the stain from the porous surface.

1. Identify the Type of Stain
Understanding what caused the stain is key to treating it properly:

• Oil-Based Stains: Grease, cooking oil, cosmetics
• Organic Stains: Coffee, tea, wine, fruit, paper
• Metal Stains: Rust from cans or metal fixtures
• Biological Stains: Mold or mildew in bathrooms
• Etching (not a stain): Dull marks from acidic liquids

2. Make the Poultice/Paste

For organic and grease stains, mix baking soda and water (or hydrogen peroxide if the stain doesn’t come out the first time) into a paste.

For inorganic stains, mix ammonia with hydrogen peroxide.

Apply a thick layer of the poultice to the stain, cover with plastic wrap, and tape down the edges. Leave for 24–48 hours, then gently remove and rinse. Repeat if necessary.

When to Call a Professional

If your marble becomes deeply stained, etched over large areas, or scratched, a professional stone fabricator or restoration expert can refinish the surface. This process may involve diamond polishing, honing, and resealing to restore your marble to like-new condition.

Marble is a truly timeless choice for kitchens, bathrooms, and floors. While the classic beauty adds warmth and luxury to any home, it does require some care and attention.

If you’re ready to design a dream kitchen or bathroom with marble, call Garden State Soapstone, Slate, and Wood Countertops for high-quality material and fabrication. Visit our showroom to see what’s possible.