Marble is a soft, sensitive stone. Even after sealing it, it’s still prone to stains, scratches, and etching. To retain the beautiful, classic look of the stone, you need to protect it. Are you wondering, how do you protect marble countertops? Here are ways to do it:
Seal the countertop
Even if your stone comes already sealed, you still should reapply a sealant every six months or once a year. When water stops beading on the surface, it’s time for a fresh coat. To provide maximum stone protection, use a high-quality sealer designed for marble surfaces.
You can apply the sealer by yourself if you love DIY projects or hire a professional to help you.
Clean the surfaces daily
Never let a day pass without cleaning the countertops. Cleaning gets rid of dirt and bacteria that can harm your surfaces. When doing regular cleaning, use a soft cloth and warm water. If removing a spill or you want to be more thorough in your work, use a mild, natural soap with a neutral pH.
When a spill happens, don’t let it sit on the surfaces—remove it immediately. Remember, marble is sensitive to acidic substances such as soda, fruit juices, coffee, etc. To avoid severe stains, remove these substances as fast as possible. As soon the liquid comes into contact with your countertops, wipe it with a soft cloth, paper towel, or sponge.
If you are late at removing the spill and a stain develops, stop everything you are doing and focus on the stain. Different types of stains require different removal techniques, so it’s up to you to remove the stain using the right method.
If you got an oil-based stain, remove it with a soft liquid cleanser, ammonia, liquid detergent, or mineral spirits.
Remove organic stains with a mixture of 12% hydrogen peroxide and a few drops of ammonia.
Got water stains on your surfaces? Remove them with a ball of dry steel wool.
If you try getting rid of a stain with soap or stone cleaner, but it won’t come out, use poultices paste that serves as a cleaning agent. One of the best pastes to apply is baking soda. Mix the paste and slather it onto the countertop with a spatula. You should then cover it with a plastic wrap and tape down the edges with painters tape.
Wait for 24-48 hours then remove the plastic. Let the paste dry out then remove it with a wooden or plastic scraper.
It’s recommended you have different pieces of cloth in your kitchen that you use for various roles. For example, you should have a cloth you use with water cleaners and one you use with lemon solutions and other cleaning products.
Protect the countertops from scratches
You don’t want your countertops to develop scratches, do you? You can keep your surfaces looking great by using coasters, cutting boards, trivets, and placemats. These materials provide a barrier between your countertop and the potentially damaging substances. As a result, you protect your surfaces from scratches, etches, burn marks, and other sources of harm.
Don’t put your surfaces to a lot of pressure.
Avoid stepping on the countertops as you risk damaging them. While marble appears tough, it can’t take a lot of pressure, so don’t step on it when reaching out to items on the top shelf.
Instead, use a ladder or stool to reach out to your desired items.
Granite installers and other experts advise against placing heavy pots and pans on the surfaces as these too can damage the countertops. You should especially never place heavy items on the countertop edges.
