Maintaining Marble and Kitchen Countertops

Maintaining marble and kitchen countertops

It is nice to know what marble is, in order to understand how it behaves. It is a metamorphic stone, which is formed when sediments crystallize under extreme heat and pressure to form very hard rock. Marble is not the hardest of these stones, however, making it porous and thus susceptible to staining. Granite is also metamorphic and much harder (no staining), whereas soapstone is lesser in hardness (but more staining). Marble is also formed of calcium carbonate, giving it a chemical structure which reacts easily with acids and leads to etching on its surface.

Maintaining marbles

Marble stones are mainly for use in home, office, etc in India. Marble & kitchen countertops require some maintenance required to keep it pristine, though one may prefer the gradually aged surface with etches and stains that blend into the gray veins with time.

What types of finishes does marble come in?

There are basically two main types of finishes you can get, but I would recommend the "honed" finish since it is the easiest wearing. Before I knew the difference, I had a polished finish installed in my kitchen, and it is great, but it feels messy more easily and makes me want to clean it more often. The shiny finish is the more uptight of the two:-

1. Honed Finish - 

Made by sanding the surface so that it has a soft, matte finish, the honed marble will not show scratches as much, shows the stone off as a little lesser in brightness and is more susceptible to staining because the pores are open. Sealing is, therefore, the answer.

2. Polished Finish - 

Polished to a shiny exterior, this finish will not stain easily but it can scratch and etch. Polished surfaces are shiny and bright, but they will be worn down with time. If you prefer the worn look, go right for honed and skip the polished.

Marble & kitchen countertop care and maintenance

When it comes to keeping Marble & kitchen countertops looking new, a little prevention goes a long way: Place trivets under hot pots and as well pans, set coasters under glasses, use cutting boards when slicing food and wipe up the spills immediately. Marble is prone to etching, so be extra careful with acids—that mean pouring orange juice carefully and not wiping down the counters with vinegar.

Wipe the Marble & kitchen countertops with a soft cloth and warm water daily. Mild household cleansers are suitable, but in the market, you can also find cleaning products specific to marble. Certain oils and acids can stain. Marble must be resealed periodically.

Why marble & kitchen countertops are affordable?

Being clear, not all marbles are affordable, but ‘Carrara’ marble, though it comes from Italy, it is one of the cheapest stones due to its grayer coloring (luxury marbles, like Calacatta, are brighter white with darker veins) and its porous nature. Some people do not like the gray cast, and because it requires maintenance, it is never specified for rental homes, making it a slow seller and therefore lower in price.