Marble Worktops: Cleaning and Maintenance
Marble worktops: stylish, sleek and perfect for kitchens of all styles and designs. However, like any surface, a certain degree of care and attention is needed for the marble to look its best at all times. In particular, marble is vulnerable to scratches and abrasions, as it is softer than other materials. Luckily, there are steps that can be taken to help protect your worktop against damage from knife scratches, burns from hot pans and marks from acids and oils. Daily Care
Two important tools for cleaning your marble surface are a microfibre cloth and and warm water. These should be used in lieu of abrasive materials like chemicals, as the aforementioned softer nature of marble means they are likely to damage the surface further. Shop around for specially designed cleaners, as this will save you a lot of hassle and minimise the risk of mistakenly damaging the surface. Once you have bought a cleaner, test it out on a small, hidden section of the worktop – this way, if you have chosen a damaging cleaner, it won’t affect the appearance of your surface.
Removing Stains
Using baking soda and warm water, mix the two together until the mixture resembles a paste. Cover the stain in a layer of paste that’s around ¼ inch thick, and let it sit on the stain until it is completely dry. This process will pull the stain away from the surface. Once the mixture is dry, soak a cloth in warm water and wipe away the paste, and the stain should be gone. It is important that any stains are removed as soon as they are noticed, as if they are left on the surface for a prolonged period of time, they can cause significant damage to the marble. Protecting the Countertop
A very effective way to keep your countertop protected from damage is to use a sealant. The best way to apply a sealant is as follows:
- Pour the sealer onto the worktop – if you have a large worktop, it might be better to cover small sections at a time
- Spread the sealer around with a clean, white cloth
- Allow the sealer to soak into the marble for around four minutes
- Lightly add extra sealer to the area that has been treated – this is to make collecting the excess sealer easier
- Wipe away all remaining sealer
- Repeat until your entire worktop is sparkling clean!
By following these steps and being vigilant with your cleaning of your marble surfaces, you can ensure that your kitchen or bathroom will maintain the sparkling finish that you are used to. It is important to note, however, that these techniques may not work for all types of worktop and the results can differ, so check manufacturer’s guides or research cleaning techniques for other surfaces before attempting any cleaning.
Here at Touchstone Worktops, we are proud to supply and install the finest natural stone worktops from the world’s leading manufacturers. Including marble, granite and quartz, our wide collection means there is something to suit every kitchen and bathroom. If you would like to know more, get in touch with us today.