If you have dreamed of installing marble surfaces in your home, you probably did not also dream of stains, scratches and imperfections. Marble is a classically beautiful addition to any home but it must be shown care and consideration to keep it in pristine condition. Unlike granite or quartz, which need little care, marble can begin to show the wear and tear of daily life very quickly.
The best way to care for your marble surfaces is to show them proper care. You should handle them carefully if you do not want them to begin to show marks, stains or scratches. This means that you should prepare food on chopping boards rather than countertops. You should also avoid putting hot pans and plates on the marble so that it does not pick up marks or discoloring from the heat. When you show your surfaces this consideration, you will extend their beauty and their life by many years.
You should be wary of sharp objects like knives or heavy objects that may cause damage to your surfaces. This can cause the surface to chip or have large scratches. While stone surfaces can be durable and last many years, there are no stone surfaces on the market that are scratch or dent proof. If you want to protect your surfaces from this physical deformities, it is best to treat them with care.
Another important way to care for your marble is to be mindful of what chemicals you are putting on it. Stains may be hard to remove from marble but it is possible that harsh chemicals and cleaners can actually make the problem worse. You should always ensure that you are using the proper marble cleaners while trying to ensure that you do not purchase those with harsh chemicals. You may want to consider an eco-friendly cleaning method or simply using a mild dish soap to clean these surfaces. They will have the power to break down stains without being so abrasive that they cause further damage to the surfaces. Cleaning with simple products will be better for your countertops and better for your home.
When you are cleaning your marble surfaces, you should be certain that you are using a soft cloth, and that you are not putting large amounts of pressure on the area. Abrasive cloths or cleaning methods can have the same damaging effects that harsh cleaning products can. Try to remove stains by rubbing the area with a damp cloth in a circular motion. By doing this, you will prevent further damage.
The best way to remove stains is to try to prevent them in the first place. While this is difficult in the kitchen, you can do your best to ensure that all spills are wiped away immediately to avoid any particles from sinking too deep into the pores of your marble. Unlike granite or quartz, marble is porous and will absorb food particles more quickly than other stone surfaces.
Of course, even carefully cared for marble surfaces will grow dull over time. Scratches are inevitable because despite how careful you are, accidents can happen. After a while, cleaning products will not be able to bring back the old shine that your marble once had. When this happens, you can begin to consider marble restoration. Marble restoration is a great way to extend the life of your countertops and surfaces. You can either restore the marble yourself or call upon the services of a professional.
If you choose to restore your marble surfaces yourself, you have a variety of options. The first step is to find out whether you have a solid marble surface or a cultured marble surface. If you have a cultured marble surface, you can choose to use a sander or not to use a sander, depending upon your preferences.
If you choose to use a sander, all you need to do is wet the countertop and then sand it with a fine sandpaper. You should be careful now to press to deeply or you may sand through the top coat of the marble. After you have sanded the marble, rinse the impurities off and let it dry. Once it has dried, you can buff the countertop using an appropriate product for marble.
If you choose not to use a sander, you can use wax to fill in the finer scratches that exist on your marble. This will reduce the appearance of imperfections significantly. You can also choose to polish the marble with an appropriate marble polish. Like with cleaning products, it is important to use a polish or sealer that is appropriate for protecting marble surfaces.
Marble is a beautiful surface to put in your home. With a little care and regular cleaning, you can keep your marble surfaces looking beautiful for many years.