White marble is a great choice for countertops, whether in the kitchen, bathroom, or nearly any other living space.
Marble offers several notable key benefits — including that it resists heat well, it’s typically cool to the touch, and its gorgeous ethereal veining, for which it’s often sought.
However, keeping marble pristine can be an important, though manageable, challenge. To better understand, let’s review the 8 commandments of maintaining white marble countertops.
1. Clean Spills Quickly
Perhaps the most important commandment is to clean spills quickly. Marble is highly prone to staining, so when dark-colored or acidic materials are spilled (like orange juice, soda, wine, coffee, etc.) it’s important to quickly wipe them away and clean up the spill before they have time to etch or stain into the marble.
2. Use The Right Cleaners
Next, it’s crucial to use the right cleaners. Avoid abrasive and acidic cleaning products, as they can damage the marble. Often, a small amount of soap and warm water will do the trick.
Additionally, periodic dusting can be helpful, eliminating dust and debris that can lead to scratching or abrasion.
3. Keep Marble Sealed per Manufacturer’s Directions
If your marble is sealed, consult with the manufacturer to ensure that it is resealed periodically as recommended. This may hinge on its finish and other factors.
4. Be mindful of Uses
While spills can be quickly cleaned up, it’s often helpful to avoid using marble for certain materials entirely, if possible.
For example, when pouring orange juice, if you have a butcher block kitchen island and marble countertops, use the butcher block to pour your drink.
5. Use Trivets and Coasters
Another great way to keep marble protected is through the use of protective measures — such as the use of trivets, potholders, and coasters.
These can help protect your marble surface from unwanted contact with hot, or acidic materials. Additionally, the use of placemats can offer a layer of easily cleanable protection.
6. Polish per Fabricator Recommendations
Your fabricator may recommend periodic polishing. Ensure that you use the recommended polishing materials, and when in doubt, consult with professionals to have it polished professionally.
7. Be Mindful of Heat
While marble is prized for its ability to weather heat, it isn’t indestructible. To ensure the safety of your marble, consider making regular use of trivets and potholders to shield it from hot items out of the oven or off the stovetop.
8. Be Mindful of Drops
Marble is beloved for its longevity, but that doesn’t mean that it’s immune to heavy items; ensure that heavy and hard items are set down gently on your marble countertops to avoid damaging them.
The Bottom Line
White marble countertops are a popular choice in both homes and businesses, due to their natural beauty, the cool feel of marble, and their timeless elegance. That’s why it can be so important to find simple ways to preserve their natural beauty.
Fortunately, marble can be easily preserved by following a few simple rules, including cleaning up spills quickly, using the right cleaning products to clean it, regular dusting, and the use of protective measures including trivets, placemats, and coasters.
Marble’s longevity, when well cared for, is one of the great things about this unique and natural stone.
Don’t forget — if you’re looking for the best combination of excellent customer service, material selection, and expert installation, you’ve come to the right place.
At Affordable Quality Marble & Granite, we have a wide selection of marble to choose from, and whether you’re interested in the kitchen or bathroom, we’ve got you covered. Contact us today to see for yourself.