Marble is a natural stone of incredible resistance. White also never goes out of style, it is easily combined with other materials, textures and colors in any room in which we use it.
Marble, unlike other materials, does not go out of style. It is made up of limestone rocks that must be subjected to high temperatures to make them crystallize. Although there are currently many materials that can imitate marble without being it, and that can also be a great option, especially for bathrooms or kitchens, if your choice is still marble, we are going to tell you what is the best way to clean it without suffer any deterioration.
Removing some types of stain from this type of countertop seems like a real challenge, but we are going to give you a series of recommendations to successfully overcome the challenge.
As always, periodic, daily cleaning and good maintenance is the best formula to avoid having to regret major damage. If you have opted for white marble for your kitchen countertop, you have surely managed to give it the distinguished touch that you were looking for, but do not lose sight of the importance of cleaning it every day so that it does not accumulate grease, traces of oil that may have spills and other dirt.
The kitchen is one of the rooms in which we have to insist the most on cleaning, both on the countertop and on the stove, the sink, cabinets and shelves and the floor. The task of cooking can be very rewarding but after making our dishes it is essential to leave everything without any remains of the foods and condiments that we have used in preparation.
Delicate cleaning
In the case of white marble, we will carry out a delicate cleaning. With a soft, slightly damp cloth, we will first remove the dust from the entire surface. Afterwards it is very important to dry it because marble is very porous and can end up blackening.
If we have to deal with more persistent stains, another option is to moisten a cloth with neutral pH soap previously diluted in water and wipe it over the areas where there is more embedded dirt.
Another method is to use pumice stone powder dissolved in water, spray it with a spray bottle on the countertop and let it sit for a few minutes. After time, we will rinse it and dry it.
As a precaution, if any liquid is spilled on the marble, do not let it dry. Act quickly and remove it immediately to prevent stains from forming.
And to restore its original shine, you can use marble paste, a preparation for polishing this material and which can be found in different formats on the market. It is best to follow the manufacturer’s instructions, use a cloth for delicate surfaces, and work in small sections. Likewise, specific polishes for marble can be purchased at specialized cleaning stores.
In the case of white marble, we can also use baking soda to restore its shine. We will mix it with water until we get a consistent paste that we will apply on the countertop. We leave it on for at least an hour and then rinse.
Other home methods
The first thing we recommend before using homemade products is that you identify very well what type of stain you are dealing with. As we have already explained, we will always use soft cloths and never abrasive ones. A good option may be microfiber or a sponge for delicate surfaces.
- For organic food or drink stains we can use – as we have already recommended in the case of polishing – the water and baking soda paste, which can be effective for most of these stains. Even if the stain is very difficult to remove, you can leave the water and baking soda paste to act for 24 hours, covering it with film transparent and removing the mixture after that time.
- If the stains are persistent grease, we can use – with great caution – isopropyl alcohol. We will always rub gently and rinse immediately.
- Hydrogen peroxide can also be effective for some light stains. If the stain is more persistent, you can mix hydrogen peroxide with baking soda and apply it for a while to let it act.
Products to avoid
On the other hand, it must be taken into account that since it is a delicate material, not just any product is suitable for cleaning marble. All the products we use must be specific for already prepared marble or soft and non-abrasive products. You should avoid those that contain acid such as vinegar or lemon.
Nor will we use brushes or scouring pads that could damage the surface by causing scratches. And we will always rinse and dry the surface very well once the cleaning is finished to prevent it from retaining traces of water or soap.
Another piece of advice we give you is to give your countertop extra protection with a special sealant for this type of countertop, this way you will partially prevent any damage or stains from irrevocably adhering to the surface.
Advantages and disadvantages of marble
Although marble is a very durable material, you have already seen that its maintenance is also somewhat delicate. The good news is that on the market we find many other options that imitate marble but that use less porous materials, such as granite, compact quartz or porcelain tiles. In addition, they are cheaper materials and the resulting appearance is very difficult to distinguish from natural marble.
We remind you of some drawbacks of using marble so that you can finish making your decision, if you are in that process:
- Although it is a material that is quite resistant to scratches, it is not as resistant to strong impacts and can break. You also know that since it is very porous, it can end up with stains that are difficult to remove.
- It is expensive, its cost can be an inconvenience for some pockets.
- Although it does not require as much maintenance as other materials, it is more delicate when cleaning.
On the advantages side, you have to keep in mind that it is a very heat-resistant material, so it is very safe to use in the kitchen. We find it in many shades and colors, not just white. If it loses its shine, it can be polished again and left as good as new. And it is very clean.
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