Marble Countertop Care and Cleaning

Marble Countertop Care and Cleaning

There aren't too many kitchen cleaning products on the market for cleaning marble. Especially since the newest technology uses peroxide and detergents to penetrate soiled areas. Simply spray a product such as Bio-OX Citrus Concentrate on the marble countertop, allow it to penetrate for a few minutes, and wipe clean. Baking soda can be sprinkled on for a more abrasive kitchen cleaning action. Repeat if necessary. Marble can also be cleaned using warm, sudsy water (a mild detergent such as a grease cutting dish detergent or laundry detergent is fine) or a solution of borax and water. Thoroughly rinse and buff dry. To remove stains from marble, make a paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide or baking soda and Bio-OX Citrus Concentrate and cover the stain with the paste. Cover the paste with a damp cloth, leave overnight, then wet down and scrub with a nonmetallic scrubbing pad. Rinse thoroughly. Wipe up any spills as they happen so they don't soak in. If this occurs, you'll need to have your counters professionally rebuffed. Always use a cutting board with a towel underneath it, when working with acidic foods such as lemons, vinegar or alcohol (which can damage the natural shine of marble in a matter of seconds) and foods such as beets or red wine (which can discolor the surface). The marble can be sealed with a commercial sealant or carnuba wax. You'll need to test the seal after a few years of use. Simply apply a few droplets of water to the surface. If the water beads, your countertop is maintaining its seal. If the water soaks into the countertop, consider reapplying the sealant. Always dry the counter thoroughly after washing the dishes to prevent water damage to the marble.