Care for Your Marble Countertops

White kitchens are classic, and they gained popularity in recent years likely due to Joanna Gaines’ modern farmhouse renovations on HGTV’s Fixer Upper. Her countertop stone of choice was often marble, with light colors and stunning veining.
While they’re beautiful, marble countertops can be considered high maintenance, says Galen Roth of Roth Restoration in Charleston, South Carolina.

“Marble is a calcium-based stone,” he says. “It’s softer and prone to scratches and etching. Their lack of durability means you have more things to consider as far as everyday use.”

We talked to stone restoration experts to get their tips on how homeowners can protect their marble countertops and keep them looking as gorgeous as the day they were installed.

Daily Maintenance
One of the most important steps in caring for marble is preventing stains and etches.

“When marble comes into contact with anything acidic, it can etch, which looks like a dull spot or burn mark,” says Gregg Laviolette, owner of Stone Restoration Services in Troy, Michigan.

Acidic products are common in the kitchen, including tomatoes, citrus fruits, juices, alcohol, and vinegar. Marble can also become stained; two of the biggest culprits are red wine and oil.

“If somebody spills red wine on the countertop and you wipe it up immediately, 99 percent of the time it won’t stain, but the acids in the wine may cause the stone to etch,” says Laviolette. “If it’s left, it will stain. Most stains can be pulled out of the countertop during restoration.”

Prevent etching and stains by religiously using cutting boards, trivets, and coasters.

“I recommend having big cutting boards, like 20 [inches] by 20 [inches],” says Roth. “You need one next to the sink and another next to the stove where you do prep work.”

Marble countertops should also be cleaned on a daily basis. Roth recommends a mild soap or stone cleaner.

“Read the product label carefully and make sure it’s for stone,” he says. “If it suggests that you test the product in an area, stay away from it. There are too many other products that won’t hurt stone so there’s no need to have to test it.”