How to Clean Marble Countertops
Mix dishwashing soap and water in a spray bottle., Spray the cleanser over the counter., Wipe the counter with a hot, wet cloth., Dry the surface with a towel., Wipe up spills as soon as possible., Mix up a poultice for the stain., Spread the...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Mix dishwashing soap and water in a spray bottle.
To make an gentle and effective everyday cleanser for your marble countertop, fill a spray bottle halfway to three-quarters full with warm water.
Squirt approximately 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of a gentle, non-abrasive dishwashing soap and shake well to mix the two.You should never use an abrasive or acidic cleanser on marble countertops because it may etch the surface.
Avoid soaps or cleansers that contain citrus juices, such as lemon, or vinegar. -
Step 2: Spray the cleanser over the counter.
After you’ve mixed the warm water and soap together, apply the cleanser to the countertop.
Use a generous amount to ensure that the entire marble surface is treated.If there are areas with more residue than others, you may want to focus more of the cleanser in those spots. , Once you’ve applied the cleanser to the countertop, wet a clean cloth with warm water.
Smooth it over the entire counter to remove the dirt and soapy residue.
Continue wiping the countertop with the wet cloth until no residue remains.While it’s okay to scrub at stubborn spots on the marble with the cloth, you should never use an abrasive sponge or pad on the countertop.
They can easily scratch the surface. , When the counter is clean, wipe down the marble with a clean, absorbent towel to dry it.
Use a buffing motion to get the most flattering finish for the marble.Be sure that you’re using a soft towel to dry the marble.
Rough, scratchy towels may damage the surface. , The key to keeping your marble countertop stain free is wiping up spills as soon as they happen.
The longer wine, oil, or other substances sit on the marble, they greater the chance that they penetrate and cause a permanent stain.It’s particularly important to wipe up acidic stains, such as citrus juices, tomato sauce, or vinegar as quickly as possible.
They can etch the surface of the marble and damage its appearance. , To remove a stain from a marble countertop, it’s best to use a cleanser that can sit on the spot and penetrate it over time.
That’s why a poultice with the cleaning ingredients is usually the best option.
Choose the poultice ingredients based on the type of stain that you’re dealing with.For organic food stains, mix flour with hydrogen peroxide.
For oil-based stains, mix flour with dishwashing liquid.
For mold, mildew, fungus and other biological stains, mix flour with household bleach.
No matter what type of poultice you’re making, mix the flour and liquid until you form a paste that’s the consistency of peanut butter.
Always test the poultice on an inconspicuous spot on the countertop first to ensure that you won’t wind up making the stain worse. , After you’ve mixed up the poultice, use a plastic putty knife to carefully spread it over the stained area of the countertop.
Next, cut a piece of plastic wrap to cover the poultice and secure it in place with painter’s tape.
Once it’s in place, poke a few holes in the plastic for ventilation.If you don’t have a putty knife, you can use any type of knife to spread the poultice on the counter.
Don’t use regular masking tape to secure the plastic over the poultice.
It’s too sticky and may dull the marble. , To lift the stain, the poultice must sit on the stain for a while.
For a fresh, light stain, 10 hours may be sufficient.
However, it’s best to wait a full 24 hours to be safe.If the stain is old, very dark, or extremely stubborn, you may want to leave the poultice in place for two to three days. , When you’ve allowed the poultice to sit on the stain for a sufficient amount of time, remove the plastic covering.
Use a clean putty knife to carefully scrape away the poultice mixture and discard.
Wipe the surface with a clean towel to make sure that the stain has disappeared.If the stain hasn’t disappeared, you can repeat the process with another application of the poultice. , After you’ve removed the poultice, wet a clean cloth with warm water.
Wipe down the marble to remove any remaining residue.Be sure to use a soft cloth to avoid scratching the marble.
A microfiber cloth is a good option. , When the countertop is completely clean, use a clean, soft towel to wipe it dry.
Buff the marble gently to ensure an attractive finish., Before sealing your marble countertop, it should be clean.
Use the dishwashing soap and water mixture to wash the entire surface, rinse it, and dry it well.Make sure to take all of the items off your countertop so the entire surface is clear. , If there are any areas of the counter that are coated with residue from cooking grease, cleansers, or other substances, scrape it off before sealing the countertop.
Use a plastic scraper or knife to carefully remove it.You can also use a single-edged razor to remove the residue, but be very careful because you can easily cut yourself.
Hold it at angle as you move it over the marble. , With a countertop that’s already been sealed, you should strip off the old sealer before applying a new coat.
Wet a clean cloth with acetone and smooth it over the marble.
Next, dampen another clean cloth with warm water to remove any residue.
Dry the counter with a microfiber towel.Don’t allow the countertop to air dry; wipe it down to dry it. , When the countertop is clean and dry, read the sealer’s instructions and apply it as directed.
Most sealers require pouring the product onto the counter and using a white cloth to spread it evenly across the surface.
You usually must also allow the sealer to soak in for a specified amount of time, which is just 3 to 4 minutes.Always apply the sealer exactly as directed to on its packaging.
Some sealers may require alternative application methods. , After you’ve allowed the sealer to soak in for the proper amount of time, you must remove any excess product that hasn’t absorbed.
Use a clean dry cloth to wipe it away., Some sealers may require a second coat.
Read the instructions to determine if it’s necessary, as well as the proper procedure for applying it.To keep your countertop stain-free, you should reseal the marble every three to six months. -
Step 3: Wipe the counter with a hot
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Step 4: wet cloth.
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Step 5: Dry the surface with a towel.
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Step 6: Wipe up spills as soon as possible.
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Step 7: Mix up a poultice for the stain.
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Step 8: Spread the poultice over the stain and cover it.
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Step 9: Allow the poultice to sit for about 24 hours.
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Step 10: Scrape off the poultice.
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Step 11: Rinse the countertop with warm water.
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Step 12: Dry the counter with a towel.
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Step 13: Clean the counter.
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Step 14: Remove any residue.
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Step 15: Strip off the old sealer with acetone.
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Step 16: Spread the sealer over the countertop according to instructions and let it sit.
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Step 17: Wipe the excess sealer away.
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Step 18: Apply a second coat if necessary.
Detailed Guide
To make an gentle and effective everyday cleanser for your marble countertop, fill a spray bottle halfway to three-quarters full with warm water.
Squirt approximately 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of a gentle, non-abrasive dishwashing soap and shake well to mix the two.You should never use an abrasive or acidic cleanser on marble countertops because it may etch the surface.
Avoid soaps or cleansers that contain citrus juices, such as lemon, or vinegar.
After you’ve mixed the warm water and soap together, apply the cleanser to the countertop.
Use a generous amount to ensure that the entire marble surface is treated.If there are areas with more residue than others, you may want to focus more of the cleanser in those spots. , Once you’ve applied the cleanser to the countertop, wet a clean cloth with warm water.
Smooth it over the entire counter to remove the dirt and soapy residue.
Continue wiping the countertop with the wet cloth until no residue remains.While it’s okay to scrub at stubborn spots on the marble with the cloth, you should never use an abrasive sponge or pad on the countertop.
They can easily scratch the surface. , When the counter is clean, wipe down the marble with a clean, absorbent towel to dry it.
Use a buffing motion to get the most flattering finish for the marble.Be sure that you’re using a soft towel to dry the marble.
Rough, scratchy towels may damage the surface. , The key to keeping your marble countertop stain free is wiping up spills as soon as they happen.
The longer wine, oil, or other substances sit on the marble, they greater the chance that they penetrate and cause a permanent stain.It’s particularly important to wipe up acidic stains, such as citrus juices, tomato sauce, or vinegar as quickly as possible.
They can etch the surface of the marble and damage its appearance. , To remove a stain from a marble countertop, it’s best to use a cleanser that can sit on the spot and penetrate it over time.
That’s why a poultice with the cleaning ingredients is usually the best option.
Choose the poultice ingredients based on the type of stain that you’re dealing with.For organic food stains, mix flour with hydrogen peroxide.
For oil-based stains, mix flour with dishwashing liquid.
For mold, mildew, fungus and other biological stains, mix flour with household bleach.
No matter what type of poultice you’re making, mix the flour and liquid until you form a paste that’s the consistency of peanut butter.
Always test the poultice on an inconspicuous spot on the countertop first to ensure that you won’t wind up making the stain worse. , After you’ve mixed up the poultice, use a plastic putty knife to carefully spread it over the stained area of the countertop.
Next, cut a piece of plastic wrap to cover the poultice and secure it in place with painter’s tape.
Once it’s in place, poke a few holes in the plastic for ventilation.If you don’t have a putty knife, you can use any type of knife to spread the poultice on the counter.
Don’t use regular masking tape to secure the plastic over the poultice.
It’s too sticky and may dull the marble. , To lift the stain, the poultice must sit on the stain for a while.
For a fresh, light stain, 10 hours may be sufficient.
However, it’s best to wait a full 24 hours to be safe.If the stain is old, very dark, or extremely stubborn, you may want to leave the poultice in place for two to three days. , When you’ve allowed the poultice to sit on the stain for a sufficient amount of time, remove the plastic covering.
Use a clean putty knife to carefully scrape away the poultice mixture and discard.
Wipe the surface with a clean towel to make sure that the stain has disappeared.If the stain hasn’t disappeared, you can repeat the process with another application of the poultice. , After you’ve removed the poultice, wet a clean cloth with warm water.
Wipe down the marble to remove any remaining residue.Be sure to use a soft cloth to avoid scratching the marble.
A microfiber cloth is a good option. , When the countertop is completely clean, use a clean, soft towel to wipe it dry.
Buff the marble gently to ensure an attractive finish., Before sealing your marble countertop, it should be clean.
Use the dishwashing soap and water mixture to wash the entire surface, rinse it, and dry it well.Make sure to take all of the items off your countertop so the entire surface is clear. , If there are any areas of the counter that are coated with residue from cooking grease, cleansers, or other substances, scrape it off before sealing the countertop.
Use a plastic scraper or knife to carefully remove it.You can also use a single-edged razor to remove the residue, but be very careful because you can easily cut yourself.
Hold it at angle as you move it over the marble. , With a countertop that’s already been sealed, you should strip off the old sealer before applying a new coat.
Wet a clean cloth with acetone and smooth it over the marble.
Next, dampen another clean cloth with warm water to remove any residue.
Dry the counter with a microfiber towel.Don’t allow the countertop to air dry; wipe it down to dry it. , When the countertop is clean and dry, read the sealer’s instructions and apply it as directed.
Most sealers require pouring the product onto the counter and using a white cloth to spread it evenly across the surface.
You usually must also allow the sealer to soak in for a specified amount of time, which is just 3 to 4 minutes.Always apply the sealer exactly as directed to on its packaging.
Some sealers may require alternative application methods. , After you’ve allowed the sealer to soak in for the proper amount of time, you must remove any excess product that hasn’t absorbed.
Use a clean dry cloth to wipe it away., Some sealers may require a second coat.
Read the instructions to determine if it’s necessary, as well as the proper procedure for applying it.To keep your countertop stain-free, you should reseal the marble every three to six months.
About the Author
Danielle Garcia
Enthusiastic about teaching lifestyle techniques through clear, step-by-step guides.
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