The natural beauty of marble has been admired for centuries, and used in the home for just as long. Each piece of marble is unique, and you can feel like you?re getting something special when you buy a piece of marble furniture. Lending itself perfectly to the clean lines of contemporary minimalist design marble has been gaining in popularity over recent years. Marble can be a big investment however, and you don?t want something you spent a lot of money on getting ruined by lack of care. So let?s take a look at how to keep your marble looking its best.
Seal
One of the most important things you can do for your marble is to seal it. Even if your piece arrives sealed already, you?ll need to re-apply a sealant every six months, or at minimum once a year. When water stops beading on the surface, it?s time for a fresh coat. While there are many sealants available online and in stores, we recommend using DuPont BulletProof Sealer. Remember that sealing your marble will help to repel staining agents but it doesn?t make the marble totally stain-proof.
Clean with Care
If you have marble countertops or a marble dining table you?ll need to clean it every day. Marble coffee or side tables may not need to be cleaned daily but will still need regular cleaning. To clean your marble, wipe down the surface using a non-abrasive cloth or sponge and a mild soap (like dish detergent) and water. When cleaning, make sure you don?t use vinegar, Windex or bleach ? these acidic substances will eat into the marble and dull the stone. It?s also important to not use abrasive cleaner or pads since it can scratch the surface of the marble.
Remove Stains
If your marble gets stained you?ll need to use something a little stronger than just soap and water. Organic stains like coffee or juice will usually lift after placing a paper towel soaked in bleach over the spot for 24 hours. Oil and grease stains can be removed by combining acetone and baking soda to make a thick paste and again letting it sit on the stain for 24 hours. After the stain has cleared up, clean the marble surface as normal and re-apply sealant, as the acids used for cleaning will cause damage to the sealant. Any etching in the marble can be fixed by using a marble polishing powder.
Preventative Care
There are other steps you can take to help protect your marble surfaces. Clean up any spills, especially those of an acidic nature, that occur immediately before they can soak in. This will help prevent stains and damage. For marble countertops, using cutting boards is a must (not just for your marble, but for the care of your knives as well!). For marble tables, coaster and placemats will help keep the surface safe from stains and etching.
It may sound like maintaining marble surfaces is a lot of work, and for surfaces that get a lot of use like countertops and dining tables do require vigilance to remain nice looking. But for many people the beauty of marble is worth all of the effort. Marble can be a wonderful way to add a natural touch of elegance to your home. Follow the above steps and you can embrace marble without fear.
