How to Clean and Care for Marble

Marble is elegant and timeless, but it’s also more delicate than it looks. Because it’s a porous stone, marble can easily absorb liquids, become stained, or get etched and scratched if not properly cared for. Marble cleaning doesn’t have to be hard, let’s walk through the best ways to clean, maintain, and protect marble – safely and effectively.

What to Know First

• Marble is porous: Liquids can soak in quickly, leading to stains.
• It reacts to acids: Even natural acids like vinegar or lemon juice can etch the surface.
• It scratches easily: Abrasive cleaners and even gritty dirt can damage marble.

Safe Cleaning Basics

For daily cleaning:

• Use warm water and a soft cloth. Wipe the surface down, then dry immediately with a clean microfiber cloth or chamois.
• Need a little more cleaning power? Mix a few drops of mild, pH-neutral dish soap with warm water. Gently clean, then rinse and dry right away.

Avoid: Vinegar, bleach, ammonia, lemon juice, or anything abrasive. These can permanently damage marble.

Dealing with Spills

• Wipe up spills immediately, especially if they’re acidic (wine, coffee, citrus, alcohol).
• Blot – don’t wipe – to avoid spreading the spill.
• Use a damp cloth with mild soap for sticky or stubborn spots.

Extra Cleaning for Dull or Dirty Marble

If your marble is looking dull or has light buildup, try this for marble cleaning:

DIY Marble Refresher

• 1 quart warm water
• 3 tablespoons baking soda

Mix well. Dampen a soft cloth with the solution, wring it out, and wipe the marble. Let it sit for about an hour. Then wipe again with clean warm water and dry thoroughly. Baking soda is mildly alkaline but is considered safe when used this way – just don’t scrub hard or use it frequently.

Caring for Marble Floors

For regular mopping:

• 1 gallon warm water
• 1 tablespoon Murphy Oil Soap (optional, for a soft shine)

Use a damp (not soaking wet) mop and dry the floor afterward to prevent water spots.

Everyday Marble Cleaning

• Use a dust mop or microfiber mop to keep grit off the floor – grit = scratches.
• Avoid sweeping with a stiff broom or using a vacuum with worn wheels or brushes.

How to Protect Marble

• Use coasters under glasses and bottles, especially with alcohol or citrus.
• Place mats or rugs near doorways and under furniture.
• Trivets or mats under hot dishes prevent thermal damage or scratches.
• Keep flower vases or anything wet on a tray or doily – water can leave rings.
• Use furniture pads or carpets to protect floors from heavy items.

What Marble Gets Etched?

If your marble has etching (dull, whitish spots from acidic contact), regular cleaning won’t fix it. You’ll need:

• A marble polishing powder (available at hardware or stone care stores), or
• To hire a professional for deeper polishing and sealing.

Sealing Marble

• Use a marble sealer once or twice a year to help prevent staining.
• Sealing won’t make it stain-proof, but it buys you time to clean up spills.

Marble can stay beautiful for decades with just a bit of TLC. Stick to gentle, non-acidic cleaners, wipe spills quickly, and protect the surface from everyday wear and tear.

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