Marble is one of the most beautiful and cost-effective natural stone countertops. Its aesthetic is one you can never go wrong with, fitting both traditional and contemporary homes. Tons of Pinterest-worthy kitchens have marble countertops on them, so they’re undeniably one of the most coveted countertop materials on the market.
However, marble doesn’t compare to other natural materials such as granite in terms of durability. Marble is a softer stone, so it can’t withstand harsh impact and pressure. Nevertheless, durability issues don’t stop marble from being popular, so if you plan on having them for your kitchen remodel, here are the potential damage culprits you need to be aware of:
1. Wine, Juice, Milk, and Oil
Marble is a porous surface, meaning any liquid you spill on them will be absorbed, making them nearly impossible to remove. Be careful when handling your glasses of wine, juice, and milk, because even the tiniest droplets of those can stain your marble. If you cook a lot, be sure that the oils you use won’t splash on your marble countertop, or you risk etching.
If you accidentally stain your marble, you can remove them with a cloth dipped in a few drops of ammonia and 1/2 cup of hydrogen peroxide. But you should still be wary of using those substances, because excessive amounts of those may just worsen the damage. Prevention is the best solution, so apply a sealant or a highly-effective marble polishing kit on your countertop every six months to preserve its pristine quality.
2. Belts and Other Metal Accessories
Since marble is soft, hitting it with metal objects like a belt or long metal necklace may scratch or chip its surface. Likewise, pressing these objects against marble will render the same damage, so avoid leaning on your marble countertop if you’re donning metal accessories that may grind against its surface.
3. Acidic Cleaning Agents and Abrasive Cleaning Pads
We normally clean our kitchen countertops with Windex, vinegar, or bleach, but these acidic substances etch marble, so steer clear of them. Avoid using abrasive pads, too, considering how vulnerable marble is to scratches.
To clean a marble countertop, mild soap and hot water are all that you need. Use a soft sponge or cloth to spread the soap all over the marble. This won’t remove stains, so it’s best to prevent them from happening.
4. Hot Sauce
Hot sauce is another acidic substance, so never leave a bottle of it with leaks on your countertop. Find out what other foods are acidic as well so that in case some of them are displayed on your countertop, you can put them away immediately.
5. Knives
All of us likely use a chopping board when we slice or cut food, but we tend not to bother using them anymore if it’s just one piece of fruit we’re dealing with, for example. Annoying as it is to take out the chopping board and wash it afterwards, it’s still a must if you really care for your beautiful marble countertop. Besides, we’re now aware that almost all liquids can damage its surface, so that should make us always willing to use our trusty chopping board.
6. Hot Water
Marble can withstand heat, but that isn’t an excuse to forego the pot holder. Any countertop will not do well with a piping hot pan or kettle on top of it, so always have a pot holder ready when you’re cooking.
Most of these marble countertop damage culprits are found in the kitchen, so it’s best to keep your countertop clear and just have everything kept in cabinets, but for a few aesthetic accessories. Make your dream Pinterest-worthy kitchen a reality by always treating it as if you’re staging it.