How to Clean and Care for Marble
How to Clean and Care for Marble
Clients need not be afraid to make marble their kitchen centerpiece. This timeless stone is durable and easy to care for with the proper maintenance.
Get to Know Your Stone
The first step in proper stone care and maintenance is to understand your stone’s geological classification and composition.
First, a Little Geology
Marble is a metamorphic rock composed mainly of calcium carbonate, a chemical compound commonly found in natural stone, shells, and pearls. Calcium carbonate is sensitive to acidic solutions, so mild, non-acidic cleaners are recommended.
Stain and Scratch Prevention
Natural stone is incredibly durable and stain and weather resistant, but even rocks aren’t indestructible. Regular gentle cleaning prevents most damage and preserves the beauty of your natural stone.
Cleaning
Clean stone surfaces with a pH neutral cleaner, stone soap, or a mild liquid dishwashing detergent (such as Dawn) and warm water. As with anything cleaned in your home, an excessive concentration of cleaner or soap may leave a film and cause streaks; follow manufacturer recommendations. Use a clean rag mop on floors and a soft cloth for other surfaces. Rinse thoroughly after washing and dry with a soft cloth.
Change the Rinse Water Frequently
In the bath or other wet areas, soap scum can be minimized by using a squeegee after each use. To remove soap scum, use a non-acidic soap scum remover or a solution of ammonia and water (about 1/2 cup ammonia to a gallon of water). Frequent or over-use of an ammonia solution may eventually dull the surface of some stone types. In outdoor pool, patio, or hot tub areas, flush with clear water and use a mild bleach solution to remove algae or moss.
Cleaning Products
Products that are citrus based or contain vinegar or other acids may dull or etch calcareous stones. Scouring powders or creams often contain abrasives that may scratch certain stones. Many commercially available rust removers (laundry rust stain removers, toilet bowl cleaners) contain trace levels of hydrofluoric acid (HF), which attacks silicates in addition to other minerals; all stones, including granite and quartzite, will be attacked if exposed to HF. Do not mix ammonia and bleach; this combination creates a toxic and lethal gas.
Spills
Blot the spill with a paper towel immediately. Don’t wipe the area, it will spread the spill. Flush the area with water and mild soap and rinse several times. Dry the area thoroughly with a soft cloth. Repeat as necessary.
Sealing
Sealing is a common step taken on some stones as an extra precaution against staining. The best sealing products used in the stone industry are “impregnators,” as opposed to inferior “topical sealers,” which form a film on the surface, wear down easily, discolor, and alter the stone’s appearance. Good quality impregnating sealers are designed to penetrate below the surface of the stone and act as a repellent that won’t change the look or feel of the stone. Sealing does not make the stone stain proof, rather it makes the stone more stain resistant.
When consulting with your stone supplier, you may find that many stones do not require sealing. However, applying an impregnating sealer is a common practice. When considering sealing, remember that it does not make the stone stain proof, it makes it more resistant to staining and allows more time to wipe up spills before they penetrate the surface. If a sealer is applied in a food preparation area, be sure it is non-toxic and safe for use, and consult with your supplier or the sealing manufacturer on the type of sealer and frequency of use recommended.
Stain Identification and Removal
Identifying the type of stain on the stone surface is the key to removing it. Stains can be oil based, organic, metallic, biological, ink based, paint based, or acid based. Surface stains can often be removed by cleaning with an appropriate cleaning product or household chemical.
| Stain Type | Common Culprits | How to Address It |
|---|---|---|
| Oil-based | Grease, plumbers’ putty, tar, cooking oil, milk, cosmetics | Darkens the stone and normally must be chemically dissolved so the source can be flushed away. Clean gently with a soft liquid cleanser using household detergent, mineral spirits, or acetone. |
| Organic | Coffee, tea, wine, fruit, tobacco, paper, food, urine, leaves, bark, bird droppings | May cause a pinkish-brown stain that can disappear once the source is removed. Outdoors, sun and rain will generally bleach it out. Indoors, clean with 12% hydrogen peroxide and a few drops of ammonia. |
| Metal | Iron, rust, copper, bronze | Iron or rust stains are orange to brown and follow the shape of the staining object. Copper and bronze stains appear green or muddy brown. Metal stains must be removed with a poultice; deep-seated rust stains are extremely difficult to remove and may be permanent. |
| Biological | Algae, mildew, lichens, moss, fungi | Clean with a diluted solution: 1/2 cup of ammonia, bleach, or hydrogen peroxide per gallon of water. Never mix bleach and ammonia. |
| Ink | Magic marker, pen, ink | On light colored stones, clean with bleach or hydrogen peroxide. On dark colored stones, clean with lacquer thinner or acetone. |
| Paint | Spills, overspray | Small amounts can be removed with lacquer thinner or carefully scraped with a razor blade (wood or plastic scrapers only). Heavy coverage needs a commercial paint stripper; do not use acids or flame tools, and repolishing may be necessary afterward. |
| Water spots and rings | Surface accumulation of hard water | Buff with dry 0000 steel wool. |
| Fire and smoke damage | Fireplaces, older installations | Requires thorough cleaning; commercially available smoke removers can help. Some etching may remain once smoke residue is removed. |
| Efflorescence | Mineral salts carried by water from below the surface | Dust mop or vacuum the white powder; do not use water, it will only temporarily disappear. If it persists, contact your installer to identify and address the moisture source. |
| Scratches and nicks | General wear | Slight surface scratches may be buffed with dry 0000 steel wool. Deeper scratches or etching need a professional stone restorer. |
Oil-based paints, linseed oil, putty, caulks, and sealants may cause oily stains rather than paint stains; treat those per the oil-based guidance above. For etching or deep scratches and nicks, contact your stone dealer or a professional stone restorer for refinishing or repolishing.
This guide reflects MIA+BSI (Natural Stone Institute) guidelines. MIA+BSI members abide by the MIA+BSI Code of Ethics, and their stonework follows industry guidelines in the Dimension Stone Design Manual.
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