The global market value for marble products reached $12.68 billion in 2019 and is predicted to be as high as $15.94 billion by 2027. This includes statues, monuments, construction, and of course, marble furniture.

Marble has become a popular choice for interior decorating, with the material being used for worktops, floors, showers, bathtubs, tables, and more. But marble isn’t exactly the cheapest material available.

So, do you know how to clean marble tables without damaging them? What cleaning products can be used? Is there a way to help prevent staining? To discover the answers to these questions and more, keep on reading!

Preventing Damage and Staining

Rule #1 of keeping your marble table clean and well-maintained is to prevent damage from happening in the first place. Always use coasters and never chop or crush anything directly on the marble.

Rule #2 is the same rule but with staining. There are some simple steps you can take to reduce the likelihood of your marble becoming stained or damaged by liquids.

For starters, don’t allow liquids (including water) to sit on the marble for too long as this can damage it, so always mop up spills as quickly as possible!

Failure to do so can lead to water stains, which can be difficult to clean. But any acidic liquids can cause etching – where the acid eats burns through the marble’s surface layer, leaving an unpleasant mark. We’ll come back to etching later.

For now, there are two things you can do to protect your marble from staining:

1. Seal Your Marble

Learning how to clean marble tables (or any other marble surface) starts from the moment you buy the product. Marble is a relatively soft material, and so you need to seal it to reduce damage and staining.

Most marble will be sealed when you buy it, but it’s important to reapply sealant as often as is necessary. This could be once every 1-6 months but should be at least once a year. If liquids form beads on the surface of the marble, it’s a warning sign that you need to apply sealant.

Not all types of marble will absorb sealant though. So, make sure to check the information provided by the manufacturer.

The sealant doesn’t quite make your marble stain-proof, but it does provide an extra layer of protection. It can help repel staining agents and gives you more time to clean up spills before they stain. This is particularly useful for keeping a marble dining table in good condition.

2. Clean Stains Immediately

The faster you clean a spill, the less time it has to stain or damage the marble. Try to soak up (blot) the spill with a kitchen towel or paper towel – just be sure to use a white paper towel so no colors run from the material.

Once you’ve soaked up as much of the spill as possible, cover the area in warm water mixed with mild soap. Wipe and rinse the surface repeatedly with a soft cloth until nothing remains of the spill. Remember to dry the marble afterward so the water doesn’t rest on the surface.

Don’t use acidic cleaners or any household cleaner containing dangerous chemicals, such as butoxyethanol or phthalates. The safest option is standard dish soap, but you can also purchase cleaners designed specifically for marble furniture.

If all else fails, use a solution of 12% hydrogen peroxide.

Regular Cleaning

There are many benefits to keeping a room tidy, but routine cleaning applies to your marble furniture as well, especially your marble dining table. Using simple items such as warm water, mild soap, and a soft cloth, you can wipe down your surfaces with ease.

Now that you know how to clean marble tables safely, what are the benefits? They include:

  • Remove surface moisture
  • Remove solid substances that may melt and stain
  • Remove any unseen acidic or abrasive material
  • Reduce the likelihood of mold developing
  • Remove potentially dangerous bacteria

Routine cleaning also allows you to polish your marble furniture more frequently, as this can only be done after the material has been cleaned and dried. Polishing (with a product designed for marble) can improve the lifespan of your product.

Although most people will tackle the cleaning themselves, there are benefits to hiring a professional cleaning service.

Marble Etching

As we mentioned earlier, marble etching occurs when the surface layer of the marble is dissolved or eroded. It leaves a horrible stain-like burn across your marble furniture and can be caused by using rough or acidic cleaners, allowing liquids to sit on the surface, or general wear and tear.

The good news is that you can fix etching! But it’s best to try and avoid it happening in the first place.

First, you’ll need to find an etch remover product that is suitable for your type of marble. Honed and polished marble each require a slightly different approach, and so choosing the correct substance is important.

Follow the product instructions!

You should use a soft cloth on polished marble, but you may require a rougher material for honed marble. A high-quality scouring pad or a rough cloth can be good options. If that doesn’t work, you may need to hire a professional service if the etching is particularly bad.

Need More Help?

Hopefully, you now know how to clean marble tables and other marble furniture or surfaces without damaging them. Remember, the key to maintaining your marble’s health is to limit the possibility of damage or staining.

Need a professional cleaning service? Click here to get a free quote from Golden Maid today!