How to Clean Marble Surfaces the Right Way

Whether on your entryway floor, your kitchen backsplash, or your master shower walls, natural marble adds an elegant accent. But this stone isn't as durable as manmade materials: It's more apt to scratch or stain than its tile counterparts, and it requires careful maintenance.

With the right tools and techniques, cleaning your marble is as simple as washing, rinsing, and drying. Marla Mock, president of Molly Maid, a Neighborly company, and Jena Touray of The Maids offer their best advice for regular cleaning, stain treatment, and scratch prevention.

How to Clean Marble

While some marble companies may recommend a specific cleaning product, many marble surfaces can be cleaned with a gentle soap and water solution, say the experts. "In general, cleaning marble with mild dish detergent and warm water is a safe bet," says Mock. "This helps to prevent any harsh chemicals from breaking down the stone's sealant."

Touray recommends a simple wash, rinse, and dry method, which works for counters, floors, showers, or any other marble area in your home.

1. Mix a small amount of pH-neutral dish soap into a bucket of water.
2. Dunk a soft microfiber cloth into the solution and wring it out until just damp.
3. Gently wipe the marble surface with the damp cloth.
4. Rinse the cloth well and wipe the surface with clean water to remove any remaining soap.
5. Dry the surface with a soft towel to prevent watermarks.
   

How to Care for Marble

Since marble is delicate and porous, not all of the techniques that work so well elsewhere in your home are appropriate. "Vinegar and lemon juice are common natural cleaning products for most areas in your home, but you should never use either of them on marble, since the acid will damage the surface," says Mock. "You should also never use bleach for the same reason."

Touray also recommends staying away from hard bristles, brushes, and scouring pads, which can scratch marble surfaces. Use a soft microfiber cloth or soft-bristle brush to dust your surface, and choose a soft-head toothbrush to get dirt and grit out of corners.

How to Get Stains Out of Marble

The easiest way to keep stains from setting into your marble surface is to prevent them before they happen. "I would definitely recommend using coasters, trays, or mats as a protective layer between the marble and anything you may place on the marble surface," says Touray.

If you do spot a stain, treat it as soon as possible—preferably while it's still wet. Make a poultice of baking soda and water, spread it over the stain, and cover with plastic wrap, says Touray. "Let it sit for 24 to 48 hours, then remove the plastic wrap, wipe off the poultice, and clean the marble as usual," she says. "If you're not seeing improvement after that, I would recommend reaching out to the manufacturer for additional support."