Marble is a timeless and elegant natural stone that can add a touch of luxury to any space, whether it’s a kitchen worktop, bathroom vanity, or floor.
However, this wonderful stone requires special care and attention due to its porous nature and soft composition to maintain its beauty and durability.
Read on to learn how to care for your marble surfaces, from sealing and cleaning to protecting against stains and damage.
Understanding Marble’s Properties
Before we discuss the specifics of marble care, it’s important to understand the unique properties of this natural stone.
Marble is a metamorphic rock composed primarily of calcite, a soft and porous mineral.
While visually unparalleled, its natural qualities does mean marble is generally more susceptible to scratches, etching, and staining than harder stones like granite.
When it comes to kitchen worktops, we often recommend opting for a honed or satinato finish for marble, as these finishes are less prone to showing scratches and etching than a polished finish.
Sealing Your Marble
One of the most important steps in caring for your marble is to properly seal it.
At Landford Stone, we treat all of our marble with Lithothin MN Stain Stop, a high-quality sealant that fills microscopic voids in the stone, preventing liquids from penetrating the surface.
We apply this sealant throughout the production process and once more after installation to ensure optimal protection.
After your marble has been sealed, it’s essential to allow the sealant sufficient time to set into the stone.
We recommend avoiding contact with any liquids for at least 6 hours after installation and keeping pets away from the surface.
Protecting Your Marble from Stains and Damage
Even with a high-quality sealant, marble can still develop stains and damage over time, especially in high-traffic areas like kitchens.
To minimise the risk of staining, you’ll need to quickly clean up any spills, particularly from substances like:
- Beetroot
- Wine
- Lemon juice
- Cooking oil
When it comes to cleaning, avoid using aggressive kitchen cleaners, such as oven cleaner, solvents, acids, alkalis, or bleach, as these can break down the sealant layer and allow contaminants to penetrate the stone, leading to discolouration.
Similarly, the washing-up liquid should be used sparingly, as it can dull the polished surface and degrade the sealant over time if allowed to sit on the marble or worked into the surface.
Always use a chopping board when preparing food to prevent scratches and etching and place trivets under hot pots and pans.
Cleaning Your Marble
For everyday cleaning, we recommend using Lithofin MN Easy Clean, a gentle, pH-neutral cleaner specifically designed for natural stone.
Lithofin MN Power Clean can be used for stubborn marks. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and avoid using abrasive cleaners or scouring pads, as these can scratch the surface of your marble.
Limescale residue can build up around taps and drainage areas in hard water areas. To prevent this, make sure to clean and dry your marble worktops frequently.
Getting Professional Advice
If you have any questions or concerns about caring for your marble surfaces, don’t hesitate to contact experts like us at Landford Stone.
We’re always happy to provide guidance and support to help you keep your marble looking its best.
You can also view our recommended cleaning and maintenance products here.
If you have more questions about cleaning or maintaining your marble worktops, contact us. We’ll be more than happy to help!
