The Ultimate Marble Cleaning
Do's & Don'ts Guide

Marble cleaning, protection, and maintenance are unique requiring particular care. Many fuss and fume over their marble countertops and floor tile wondering what the heck happened and why. In truth, it is not difficult or time-consuming. You just need to learn how to clean marble the right way!

Practice the marble cleaning do's & don'ts presented below and you'll avoid damage, the expense of marble repair, and keep your marble always looking its beautiful best!

For complete A to Z info about sealing, cleaning, all marble maintenance and repair with the best DIY solutions check out the Cleaning Marble Secrets ebook.

Marble Cleaning Do's

Do: Seal Your Marble When Needed

You may have read about applying a marble & granite sealer and all the "hassle" it is, but I assure you it’s not such a big deal once you know what you are doing.

The job is fairly simple to perform. The time and cost involved are really inconsequential when compared to how fabulous marble countertops and floors look in your home — not to mention the added value when compared with other surfaces.

I recommend using these top-quality penetrating marble sealers to protect your investment from stains.

FYI... some marbles do not need sealing. In such cases, it's best not to try and apply a sealer since it won't absorb correctly, may just dry on the surface, and then you'll have to strip it off with toxic chemicals.

And you'll want to consider some specific factors when sealing marble or travertine showers. Check out the pages linked next for additional tips.

You may also like: 

Sealing Marble Shower Tile & Grout                                                           

Sealing Carrara Marble Tips

A spray surface dressing like this Topical Polish / Shine Enhancer will make the shine really sparkle and provide a little protection.

Do: Blot Up Spills Immediately

Marble is much more sensitive than granite to acidic substances like wine, coffee, fruit juices, tomato sauce, sodas, toiletry products and cleaning products that can stain or etch (dull) the surface finish.

Tip: check out our marble stains & etching page for specifics on diagnosing the different types of "spots" you may see on marble. 

Do: Clean Surfaces Using a Sponge or Soft Cloth

The only cleaning agents you should use on a regular basis are hot water and a specially formulated marble cleaner.

I recommend this Marble & Granite cleaning spray or the "green" version is excellent and more environmentally-friendly. Buff dry with a cotton cloth or chamois.

Avoid using soap as a regular cleaner over the entire surface though.

Using a mild soap for cleaning marble won’t harm the stone, but consistent use will lead to a dull film covering the surface like soap scum in a shower or bath.

Do: Use Cutting Boards, Coasters and Trivets

Marble as a kitchen countertop is troublesome because it is impossible to completely prevent etching. Using cutting boards will protect against scratching and direct contact with food juices that may etch.

These cutting boards are a super choice. Grip the counter, catch juices, dishwasher-safe, reversible. Great value. 

For a more elegant option the John Boos butcher block is the Cadillac of cutting boards and will last forever.  

Use quality trivets under hot pans to avoid scratches or possible scorching. 

Bottles, cans, and glasses that contain acidic drinks may etch the polish or damage the surface.

So make marble cleaning easy and avoid expensive marble polishing and restoration by treating your marble tops like fine wood furniture.

Always use coasters under all glasses, bottle, and cans... no matter what.

Do: Use a Tray for Bathroom Toiletry Products

A decorative tray on a marble vanity can look very nice and it will protect the surface from the damaging chemicals contained in many toiletry products.

Also, use a tray to store cooking oils or other products that may stain or etch marble kitchen countertops. 

Do: Dust Mop Marble Floor Tile Regularly

Use a clean, dry, non-treated dust-mop to clean off dust and dirt that can wear on the finish and cause scratches. 

Here's a high-quality microfiber mop that works especially well for marble floors, but also wood, or other tile. Its extra-durable, stainless steel, adjustable, swivel-head handle and well-made washable mop heads set it apart from the rest. 

Be careful using a vacuum cleaner. Worn parts or grit jammed by the wheels may scratch the surface. Also, mop regularly using a specialized stone cleaner.

Tip: Polished marble floor tile makes a very slick surface when wet, so go with a "honed," "tumbled" or "sawed" floor tile especially in the bathroom. It will look warm and inviting and hide dust, dirt, and stains very well.

Do: Use Doormats, Runners, and Rugs

Grit, dirt, and sand carried in by our shoes are abrasive and will wear and scratch marble floor tile.

Quality rugs, runners, and doormats inside and out really help.

Foot traffic will also wear away the shiny surface of polished floors over time creating trails. Runners or rugs in high-traffic areas will minimize this wear on the surface finish.

However, rugs and mats must be cleaned regularly to eliminate dirt and dust that builds up within the rug that could then also scratch the marble.

Marble Cleaning Don'ts

Don't: Use Generic Household Cleaner of ANY Kind

Most cleaners will corrode or burn the marble finish creating dull spots called etching. 

Cleaning marble with products bought at your local store that contain acids, alkalis, and other chemicals will etch the countertop or tile surface and degrade the sealant leaving the stone more vulnerable to staining.

Unfortunately, most common and popular household cleaners like bleach, vinegar, ammonia, citrus cleaners, and hydrogen peroxide are too harsh for use on marble and will cause damage to the finish.

This includes brand-name cleaners as well.

Trying to save money by using a cheap or generic surface cleaner only ensures that you'll spend a lot more time and money on your marble maintenance in the long-run performing expensive repairs or marble restoration.

Don't: Use Vinegar, Bleach, Ammonia, Hydrogen Peroxide, Lemon or Orange Cleaners

These are all great for certain cleaning projects around the house, however, they are all acidic or caustic and will etch marble upon contact dulling the surface.

As noted above, a sponge with hot water is all you need on a daily basis and a quality marble cleaner weekly or as needed day to day.

Don't: Use Bathroom, Tub & Tile, or Grout Cleaners

The powders and even the "soft" creams of typical bath & shower cleaners contain abrasives that will scratch and dull the surface.

Cleaning soap scum and hard water are the major issues in the bath.

Use only cleaners specific for cleaning marble and travertine showers like the Soap Film / Hard Water Remover and you'll cheerfully avoid the majority of marble cleaning troubles.

Don't: Place Toiletry Products on Your Countertop

Hair products, toothpaste, perfumes, colognes, nail products, creams, lotions, and potions may stain or etch the surface leaving spots, rings, or dull areas.

Protect your countertop by placing these products on a decorative tray like they do in fancy hotels!

Again, the same can be said for placing bottles containing liquids like cooking oils directly on your marble kitchen countertops... don't do it. Store these on a tray or elsewhere. 

Don't: Sit or Stand on Your Marble Countertops

Unlike laminate countertops, marble countertops are not flexible and they DO NOT typically have a plywood backing. Too much weight in one spot could cause a crack.

Don't: Use Marble Countertops as a Workbench

Using a marble countertop (or floor tile) as a staging or work area for various honey do's or home repair projects is asking for trouble. Marble is soft. Nails and screws, hammers, screwdrivers and other tools will scratch or gouge marble.

And dropping anything heavy on marble can create little white dots called "stun marks" that cannot be removed or repaired.

Think Roman Colosseum

Okay... I know it seems like there is a lot to do and know and learn about cleaning marble, but it's just a matter of learning how to treat this surface like you do with clothes or leather or wood.

Most of the Do’s and Don’ts are things you already do and don't do! And the new tips you’ve learned about how to clean marble are really very easy requiring only minor modification to your normal routine.

If damage does occur, and you need marble repair, you can rest easy knowing that restoration is possible in most cases. Damage to stone is rarely permanent like it is with most other surfaces.

The best advice is to get a separate cleaning tote for your marble cleaning products, so you have everything in one spot.

Label everything and off you go--no problems or guesswork. This is especially handy if you use a cleaning service. You’ll never have to worry that you or the housekeeper might accidentally use the wrong product.

Marble cleaning is simply a matter of learning the particular traits of marble countertops and floors and the correct procedures... then it's just routine.

Again, you'll find comprehensive info on marble cleaning, marble polishing, sealing, prevention and marble repair solutions in the Cleaning Marble Secrets e-book.

Note that marble is time-tested over hundreds of years as a highly-functional and durable surface. It's built for use. Now, with these helpful tips and a little attention you’ll maintain and enjoy its luxurious beauty for years to come.

Get a discount on pro-quality marble cleaning products with a valid Countertop Specialty coupon code. 

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