How to Care for Marble Benchtops

A lot of homeowners place this surface covering at the top of their list when they are choosing kitchen benchtops. This material offers several wonderful features. 

How to Properly Clean Marble Benchtops
When cleaning marble benchtops, here are the materials you would need:

• Warm water
• Gentle and non-abrasive dishwashing liquid
• Spray bottle
• Cleaning cloth
• Towel with high absorbing qualities

To create your cleaning solution, mix the dishwashing liquid with warm water in a spray bottle. Fill the bottle with warm water then add a tablespoon of liquid soap. As we’ve mentioned, you have to avoid cleaning products with acid or lemon juice. So, if your dishwashing liquid is lemon scented, it is best to avoid using it. Mix the ingredients by shaking the spray bottle.

Spray a thin layer of the solution onto the marble benchtop. Take your cleaning cloth and dampen it with warm water. Use the cleaning cloth to wipe off the soapy water. After that, take your highly absorbent towel and use it to dry the surface.

A poultice is a cleaning paste which comprises a mixture of a white, thick and absorbent material and a liquid chemical or detergent. What this material does is absorb the stain off the marble surface. If one application does not completely remove the stain, you may have to repeatedly apply the material. 
Poultices are efficient in removing the following types of stains:

• Coffee
• Tea
• Wine
• Paint
• Other organic stains

Here are the steps to using a poultice to remove stubborn stains from your marble kitchen benchtops:
1) Create the Poultice
Combine diluted hydrogen peroxide with baking soda until you form a thick paste. Mix these materials until you get the same consistency as a Nutella spread. You may notice the poultice slightly foaming. This is perfectly normal. On the other hand, if the mixture starts to dry up, add some warm water.
2) Apply the Poultice
Lightly sprinkle tap water over the stained area until it is damp. Spread half an inch layer of poultice on the affected area. Use a knife or spatula to ensure that the poultice is evenly spread out.
3) Let the Poultice Sit on the Surface
After spreading a layer of poultice, cover it with plastic and seal it by sticking tape around the edges. Let the poultice sit on the surface for about 48 hours. You have to make sure that the poultice has thoroughly dried before you move on to the next step. The drying process allows the material to draw the stain off the marble.
4) Remove the Poultice
After letting the poultice dry for 24 to 48 hours, you can now remove it. Remove the plastic covering and carefully peel the poultice off the surface. Using a wet cloth, wipe the remaining debris off the surface.
5) Dealing with Stubborn Stains
There are times when you’d have to deal with stubborn stains. If a single application of poultice does not do the trick, you may have to repeat the process once or twice. 
These are just some of the ways you can take care of stains and etching. To keep the surface of your marble benchtop protected, you would have to polish it from time to time. You would also have to reseal your kitchen benchtop to keep it durable for a long time.