How to Clean and Maintain Marble Countertops

A girl wiping kitchen counter stains on granite with baking soda

How to Clean and Maintain Marble Countertops

By : Georgia
Marble is the foremost choice for countertops because of its excellent feel, rich colouration and sturdiness. However, it also has a delicate side that cannot stand any acidic substance and abrasive cleaner. That is why this stone is a little tricky to clean. People often go for budget end of lease cleaning in Perth to give it a thorough cleaning at the best price. And this is a much better option than experimenting with strong chemicals on your expensive and beautiful countertop. You can take the charge of cleaning it yourself if you are aware of the right method. Here is a detailed procedure to clean and maintain your marble countertops, which will be very helpful. Let’s have a look.

Why Is It a Challenge to Clean Marble Countertops?

The most annoying thing about marble countertops is to clean them. The surface of marble can get damaged due to spilling of any acidic substance on it, including common household substances such as wine, milk, lemon juice or tomato juice. One splash can give a scratch to this stone, leaving an everlasting and dull scar. The problem with marble countertops is that you cannot clean it the way you clean other surfaces. Natural cleaners like vinegar and lemon juice are also not advisable to clean such surfaces. Even a single use of such acidic substances can damage its surface and make the stone look dull. Also, don’t use any abrasive cleaner or pads.

How to Clean Your Marble Countertops?

Cleaning the marble countertops is a little complicated, so people usually opt for end of lease cleaning in Perth. They have highly experienced professionals with all the required knowledge. The experts make sure that you get clean and shiny countertops without any problems. However, if you want to clean it on your own, read the instructions given by the manufacturer first. For basic cleaning, you can use homemade solutions and to remove stains, use the specialised marble cleaners.

Basic Cleaning and Maintenance

To maintain the surface properly, you should clean it daily. Use a microfiber cloth and warm water to wash these countertops. After the clean-up, always dry the area with a fresh microfiber cloth, to avoid the water stains. Moreover, any spills on marble countertops should be cleaned immediately.
Things You Will Need:
  • Microfiber cloths
  • Plastic spatula
  • Gentle dishwashing liquid
  • Warm water
Procedure:
  • Take around one-fourth to half a cup of dishwashing liquid and pour it in a bucket containing 1 gallon of warm water.
  • After that, take a microfiber cloth and dip it in the solution.
  • Always remember that too much water can cause stains on the marble surface. So, before using it, squeeze it properly.
  • Wipe down the countertops properly and in between, clean the cloth in the solution a couple of times.
  • If you find any stuck-on gunk, you can simply wrap the cloth around a spatula and gently rub on the gunk until it is entirely removed.
  • Finally, dry the countertops with a clean and dry microfiber cloth. This will help to prevent the watermarks on the surface.

How to Get Rid of Difficult Stains?

You can find different type of stains on the marble countertops and there are different ways to tackle all these stains. Some of them are as follows:
For Organic Stains
Things like tea, coffee, wine, tobacco, and fruit cause stains that are a little pinkish-brown in appearance. To deal with the problem, use 12% of hydrogen peroxide solution and a couple of drops of acetone. This can be a little tricky, so if you don’t want to take any chance with your countertop, opt for end of lease cleaning in Perth. Their professionals are well aware of the best way to solve this issue.
For Oil-based Stains
Oil-based stains such as cooking oil, grease, make-up products or milk can darken the surface of the stone. You need to clean it chemically. Any liquid cleanser with acetone or mineral spirits is the best option to deal with this problem. If you don’t get the desired results, go for end of lease cleaning in Perth.
For Ink Stains
To remove ink stains from a dark coloured countertop, take a cotton swab and dip it in acetone. Then apply it directly to the spot. However, for a light coloured stone, use hydrogen peroxide solution (around 20 per cent). Keep a dampened sponge or a piece of soft cloth handy so that you can immediately wipe away the cleansing agent after removing the stain. For treating a large volume of ink stains, contact end of lease cleaners.
For Metal Stains
Different types of metals can create stains on the marble surface. The stains caused by iron appear orange or brown in colour, while the copper and bronze stains look greenish or a little muddy brown. The common thing about these stains is that these are all stubborn and require specialised marble rust remover. A little bit of research will help you to find such a product in a nearby store in Perth.
For Paint Stains
To get rid of the paint stains, you need to use thinner. Take some on a piece of cloth and rub it on the stains. But before that make sure to wear eye protection and rubber gloves. You also need to ventilate the area. Apart from that, you can also use a razor blade to scrape it off. Before applying anything, read the manufacturer’s instructions. If you have sensitive skin, thinner can cause a problem, so it is better to go for a professional end of lease cleaning in Perth.
Additional Tips
Here are some tips that can help you to keep the countertops clean and well maintained. Have a look:
  • You should seal your marble countertops when required. Use a top-quality penetrating sealer so that it can protect the surface in the long run.
  • Marble is more sensitive to acidic substances in comparison to granite, so immediately clean the spills of wine, coffee, tomato sauce, fruit juices, and other similar things.
  • People often use a mild soap to clean marble countertops. It won’t harm the surface instantly, but its consistent use can make the surface look dull. So clean it regularly, only using hot water or commercial cleaners formulated especially for this stone.
  • To protect the surface, always use things like cutting boards, trivets and coasters.
Conclusion
Cleaning and maintaining the marble countertop doesn’t have to be difficult. All you need is a little precaution and time to time cleaning. The in-depth procedures mentioned here will help you to clean the surface without any hassles and get the best outcome. However, if you find it difficult to clean or don’t have enough time, you should go for professional cleaners.