After installing marble countertops, many people are concerned about how to care for them. They fear that it will require a lot of work or they’re afraid of receiving misinformation and doing harm to their beautiful new counter. Whether you have marble countertops in the kitchen or bathroom, there are certain “dos and don’ts” to ensure that your kitchen countertop or bathroom vanity will last for years to come.

Lets begin with what not to do to marble countertops. The first rule is to never use abrasive cleaners. This rule actually applies to a lot of natural stone slabs, granite included. If you have household cleaners that contain grit, they can actually scratch the marble. If you’re unsure about your household cleaners, it’s best to err on the side of caution. Anything with bleach or ammonia can cause discoloration, so never use any products that contain them. There are cleaners made specifically for marble.

The second mistake to avoid is not drying the marble completely. You must be very careful to dry up any water because it can leave water marks. Water marks will then be another mess you must remove. If you are trying to remove scratches from the countertop, never use a harsh buffing pads. You can use a buffing pad to help remove scratches, but it must be a soft one. Otherwise, a harsh pad will end up giving you scratches rather than removing them.

Now that you know what not to do, it’s time to talk about what you can do to those marble countertops. Cleaning a marble surface is a bit similar to cleaning wood -if anything spills, you need to wipe it up immediately. As mentioned earlier, you do not want water marks so always use a coaster or lay something down to protect the countertop. If you don’t have special cleaners, you can use mild detergent and warm water to clean up any small spills and stains. However, you will need to invest in cleaners and sealant to increase the longevity of the marble. Sealant should first be applied during installation. You should reseal about every six to twelve months.

If buffing the marble, you can use a light wax, but it is not necessary. Always use a colorless wax though. If you have white marble, don’t wax it at all because it can cause it to yellow. To polish dull surfaces, you can also use putty powder (tin oxide). Rub the powder with a damp cloth, folding and refolding to clean the dampened areas. As mentioned before, you should really invest in marble cleaners. You’ll need it for those “tougher” stains. It’s best to buy cleaner from a company that sells marble.

Marble, just like any material, needs certain care and maintenance. With the right cleaners and a bit of care, you can keep your marble countertops as beautiful as the day you had them installed.

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