Timeless and elegant, marble has a way of elevating any space in your house, whether it is a marble covered side table, dining table, bathroom counter tops, shower closets or even flooring. However, most people shiver at the thought of using marble in their homes out of fear of staining and etching of it's porous surface. We break some of the myths and help you take care of your marble merchandise to keep it looking as good as new.
Choose the right kind
The most popular marble finishes are polished and honed. A polished finish has a glossy surface, reflects light and shows off the colour and markings in the marble. A honed finish is more satiny and smoother, with little light reflection and is common for floors, stairs and other heavily trafficked locations while honed marble is more porous and will stain more easily. A polished piece of marble will stain less but etch more so it's a compromise either way.
Clean carefully
Marbletop surfaces: There is no need to mollycoddle your marble top; chances are it will stain little to none even if you accidentally drop the turmeric doused curry on it. Just make sure you wipe it off as soon as possible.What you do need to look out for is etching caused by spillage of acidic substances i.e vinegar, milk lemon juice or tomato sauce. If it is not wiped up right away, the acid reacts and eats away at the calcium carbonate in the stone, producing permanent markings that look like dull, slightly darker spots or rings on the marble (every home maker's nightmare specially if it's in a well lit spot). Do not use cleaners containing acid on marble, including bleach. Instead use mild soap and warm water, using sponge to rub at the spots.
Marble flooring: In the case of marble flooring, dust-mop floors frequently and clean with a mild, phosphate-free biodegradable liquid dish-washing soap or powder, or a stone soap. After washing, rinse with clean water and dry. Never use cleaners that contain acid, such as bathroom cleaners, tub and tile cleaners, which can cause etching and avoid pulling trolleys or luggage over it.
Marble showers: Wipe down after each use to get rid of water and residue or use a non-acidic residue remover or solution of ammonia and water (about ½ cup ammonia to 1 gallon water). However, use sparingly as overuse of ammonia solution may dull the surface of the stone.
Alternative options
If you are still uneasy, switch to synthetic options(quartz and it's relatives) or opt for granite. And if you are hellbent on marble but don't have the time for its upkeep, get a plastic table cover (similar to a cellphone guard) which you can peel off for parties.