subject: Marble Maintenance Tips: Keep Away Acid and Impact [print this page] Marble Maintenance Tips: Keep Away Acid and Impact
If you're looking for warmth and elegance, marble is the stone that can give that to you. With its variations of veins, colors, and grains, you have a wide selection to choose from. The only issue with marble is, it's not as durable compared to other stones, like granite for example. Should you choose a marble slab for your countertop, you should also be willing to accept the maintenance that goes along with marble ownership. But you shouldn't worry too much. Here are some simple maintenance tips to keep you marble countertop looking like brand-new.
First, be aware that marble is a calcareous stone. What that means is that marble is made from calcium carbonates, which also means that it is weak against acids. So, better keep acidic substances away from the marble surface. Otherwise, you would have to deal with etches and splotches on the surface where the stone gets in contact with acids.
To prevent that from happening, you can use coasters on drinks to catch spills. And when spills do occur, don't wipe the spill for it may just spread the stain more. If possible, rinse the stain away with clean water. If not possible, just place an absorbent cloth above the spill to get the stain out.
If you employ household help, be sure to educate them about proper care for your marble slabs. You don't want them using cleaners with acidic content on your marble countertops and floors. Do remember that marble is more for show than utility. What that means is that marble is inappropriate for applications that include heavy action, such as the kitchen. Marble gets pitted and scratched easily, so if it's unavoidable that you have to do some work on a marble surface, be sure to have some form of padding to protect the surface.
Investing on stone care products is also recommended. Using sealers and specially-designed stone cleaners and polishers can protect marble finishes and extend their lifespan. It is also advisable to set aside some money for regular stone sealing to keep out stains and moisture.
The elegance of marble requires proper care and maintenance. And when it comes to maintenance, it's a simple matter of keeping the surface acid- and stain-free and protecting it from impact. Should you manage to do those, then you can be sure to enjoy the elegance of marble for a long time.
