✏️ Last Updated: December 2024
I've been fabricating and installing marble countertops in Greater Boston since 1995. In that time, I've installed thousands of marble kitchens and watched what happens to them over the years. Some customers call me in a panic two weeks after installation because they got lemon juice on their counter. Others have had marble for twenty years and never given it a second thought.
The difference isn't the marble. It's understanding what you're actually dealing with.
Most articles about cleaning marble countertops give you the same advice: use mild soap and water, avoid acids, seal regularly. That's not wrong, but it doesn't help you understand why. And if you don't understand why, you'll either worry too much about normal wear or not enough about actual problems.
Here's what nobody tells you: most of what people call "damage" on marble isn't damage at all. It's etching. And etching is not the same as staining.
Etching happens when an acid contacts marble and causes a chemical reaction. Marble is primarily calcium carbonate—the same stuff that makes up seashells and chalk. When acid hits calcium carbonate, it dissolves a microscopic layer of the surface. The result is a dull spot that looks lighter on dark marble and darker on light marble. It's not a stain sitting on top of the stone. It's a change in the stone's surface texture.
Staining is completely different. A stain is when a substance penetrates into the pores of the stone and discolors it from within. Oil, red wine that sits overnight, coffee that seeps in—these cause actual stains. Stains are usually darker than the surrounding stone and don't change the surface texture.
Why does this matter? Because they're fixed differently, and one of them isn't really fixable at all—but that's actually okay.
Acids are everywhere in your kitchen. Here's a partial list of things that will etch marble on contact:
Lemon juice, lime juice, orange juice, grapefruit, tomatoes, tomato sauce, wine (red and white), vinegar, pickles, mustard, salad dressings, soda, coffee, beer, many household cleaners, and anything with citric acid.
I've seen etching from things people don't even think about: the condensation ring from a bottle of Italian dressing, a splash from rinsing a coffee pot, even certain hand soaps. The reaction happens fast—sometimes within seconds.
🚨 Sealing does not prevent etching. I cannot stress this enough. A sealer is designed to slow down staining by reducing how fast liquids penetrate the stone. But etching is a surface reaction. The acid doesn't need to penetrate the stone—it just needs to touch it. I've had customers seal their marble religiously and then wonder why they still get etch marks. It's not the sealer's fault. That's just not what sealers do.
Here's what I tell every customer before they commit to marble: you will get etch marks. Not might. Will. If you use your kitchen, acids will contact your countertop at some point, and you will see the evidence.
The question isn't whether you'll get etch marks. The question is whether you'll care.
Some of my happiest marble customers are the ones who understood this going in. They chose marble for its beauty and warmth, knowing it would develop character over time. They see the etch marks and small imperfections as part of the patina—the same way people appreciate worn leather or an antique wood table.
I've had customers with Carrara marble kitchens for fifteen or twenty years. When I check in with them, they love their counters. The marble has developed a soft, lived-in look that polished granite or quartz will never have. That's not damage—that's character.
But if you're the type of person who will obsess over every ring and spot, marble might not be right for you. I'd rather steer you toward quartzite or quartz than have you unhappy with a beautiful material.
Not all marble is created equal. Different varieties have different densities, different vein patterns, and different tolerances for daily use.
Carrara marble is the classic choice—white to gray background with soft gray veining. It's relatively consistent and one of the more forgiving marbles because the light background and gray veining help camouflage minor etching. It's been used in Italian kitchens for centuries for a reason.
Calacatta marble has bolder, more dramatic veining on a brighter white background. It's stunning, but that bright white background shows etch marks more readily than Carrara. If you choose Calacatta, go in with realistic expectations.
Danby marble from Vermont is one of the denser marbles available. It's more resistant to etching and staining than most imported marbles, though it's not immune. If you want marble but want something more forgiving, Danby is worth considering.
🔹 Honed vs. Polished: This matters more than most people realize. Polished marble has a glossy, reflective surface. Etch marks show up clearly because they disrupt that shine. Honed marble has a matte finish—and etch marks blend in much better. Many of my customers who want a kitchen that looks good with minimal fuss choose honed marble. It ages more gracefully.
For everyday cleaning, you don't need anything fancy. Here's what works:
✅ Mild dish soap and warm water. A few drops of Dawn or any gentle dish soap in a spray bottle with warm water is all you need. Spray the counter, wipe with a soft cloth or microfiber towel, and dry. That's it.
✅ Always dry the surface. This is the step most people skip. Water sitting on marble can leave mineral deposits or watermarks. Get in the habit of drying your counters after cleaning.
✅ Wipe up spills quickly. Especially acidic ones. You can't always prevent etching, but you can minimize it by not letting acidic liquids sit. A splash of orange juice wiped up in five seconds will do less damage than one that sits for five minutes.
✅ Skip the specialty cleaners. You don't need expensive stone-specific cleaners for daily use. They're fine if you want to use them, but soap and water work just as well. Save the specialty products for deep cleaning or stain removal.
This is where people get into trouble. Avoid these:
❌ Vinegar. Yes, I know it's a "natural cleaner." It's also an acid. Using vinegar on marble is like washing your car with sandpaper because it's "natural." Don't do it.
❌ Lemon juice or citrus-based cleaners. Same problem. Citric acid will etch your marble.
❌ Bleach. It won't necessarily etch the stone, but it can discolor it and will definitely degrade your sealer over time.
❌ Ammonia-based cleaners. Products like Windex or most glass cleaners. Occasional use won't destroy your counters, but regular use will strip the sealer and can dull the finish.
❌ Abrasive scrubbers. No steel wool, no Scotch-Brite pads, no anything that could scratch. Marble is softer than granite—it scratches more easily.
❌ "All-purpose" cleaners. Most of these are either acidic or alkaline enough to cause problems with regular use. Check the label—if it says anything about "cutting grease" or contains citrus, skip it.
You don't need to spend a lot on specialty products, but if you want something beyond dish soap, here's what I recommend:
Best everyday cleaner: Mild dish soap and water. Seriously. A few drops of Dawn in a spray bottle costs almost nothing and works perfectly. This is what I tell 90% of my customers.
Best commercial stone cleaner: If you prefer a dedicated product, look for pH-neutral stone cleaners. Good options include StoneTech Revitalizer, Weiman Granite & Stone Cleaner, or Method Daily Granite Cleaner (despite the name, it's safe for marble). These are formulated to clean without damaging sealers or etching the surface.
Best for polishing: MB Stone Care Marble Polishing Powder is my go-to for restoring shine to light etch marks. It's a mild abrasive that buffs out dull spots on polished marble.
What to look for on the label: "pH-neutral," "safe for marble," "safe for natural stone," or "non-acidic." Avoid anything that mentions citrus, vinegar, or "cuts grease."
Skip the gimmicks: You don't need separate products for cleaning, polishing, and sealing every week. Daily cleaning with soap and water, occasional sealing, and a polishing powder if you get etch marks—that's all most kitchens need.
Remember: stains and etching are different problems. Stains are darker discolorations where something has penetrated the stone. Here's how to deal with them.
☕ For organic stains (coffee, tea, wine, food): Make a poultice with baking soda and water—mix it to the consistency of peanut butter. Spread it over the stain about a quarter inch thick, cover with plastic wrap, and tape down the edges. Leave it for 24 to 48 hours. The poultice draws the stain out of the stone as it dries. Scrape it off gently and rinse. You may need to repeat this two or three times for stubborn stains.
🍳 For oil-based stains (cooking oil, grease, butter): Same poultice method, but use baking soda mixed with acetone instead of water. The acetone helps dissolve the oil. Make sure you have good ventilation.
🔩 For rust stains: These are tough. Rust happens when metal (usually from cans or cast iron) sits wet on the marble. You'll need a commercial rust remover specifically made for stone—don't use regular rust removers, which are usually acidic. If the rust is deep, you may need professional help.
💧 For water spots and hard water deposits: These look like cloudy white marks where water has evaporated and left mineral deposits. A paste of baking soda and water usually works. For stubborn deposits, use very fine (#0000) steel wool—but only dry, and only on polished marble. This is one of the few times steel wool is acceptable.
Now the harder truth: you can't "clean" etching away because it's not dirt or a stain. Etching is physical damage to the stone surface. You have a few options:
1️⃣ Learn to live with it. This is genuinely my recommendation for most people. Minor etching blends in over time as the whole surface develops a patina. The etch marks that seem glaring at two weeks are barely noticeable at two years.
2️⃣ Use a marble polishing powder. Products like MB Stone Care's Marble Polishing Powder can minimize light etching on polished marble. You wet the area, sprinkle the powder, and buff with a soft cloth. It works by gently abrading the surface to restore some of the shine. It won't make deep etching disappear, but it can help with minor marks.
3️⃣ Professional refinishing. For severe etching or when you want a complete refresh, stone restoration professionals can re-hone or re-polish the surface. This involves grinding down the top layer to remove the damage and then polishing it back up. It works, but it's not cheap, and you'll need to do it again eventually if you keep using your kitchen.
4️⃣ Consider switching to honed. If you have polished marble and you're tired of fighting etch marks, a stone restoration company can hone it down to a matte finish. You lose the shine but gain a surface that hides imperfections much better.
Sealing is important, but let me be clear about what it does and doesn't do.
What sealing does: A sealer penetrates the surface of the stone and fills the pores, making it harder for liquids to soak in. This gives you more time to wipe up spills before they stain. Think of it like scotch-guarding a sofa—it doesn't make the fabric waterproof, but it buys you time.
What sealing doesn't do: It doesn't prevent etching (surface reaction). It doesn't make marble invincible. It doesn't last forever.
⏰ How often to seal: The standard advice is every six to twelve months, but the real answer is: when it needs it. Do the water test—sprinkle a few drops of water on the surface and wait ten minutes. If the water beads up or sits on top, your sealer is still working. If it soaks in and darkens the stone, it's time to reseal.
🔧 How to seal: Make sure the surface is clean and completely dry. Apply the sealer according to the product instructions—usually spray or wipe on, let it penetrate for a few minutes, then wipe off the excess. Most sealers need 24 hours to cure fully. Use a high-quality impregnating sealer, not a topical coating.
You don't need to treat your marble like a museum piece. A few basic habits go a long way:
🔪 Use cutting boards. Not because marble can't handle a knife—it can—but because tomatoes, citrus, and other acidic foods won't touch the stone.
🥂 Use coasters and trivets. Especially for wine glasses, coffee cups, and anything that might leave a wet ring. Hot pots probably won't damage marble (it's heat-resistant), but it's a good habit anyway.
🧻 Keep a towel handy. Wipe up spills when they happen. This alone prevents most problems.
🧴 Don't store acidic products on the counter. I've seen permanent rings from olive oil bottles, vinegar bottles, and even hand soap dispensers that leaked slowly over time.
🍳 Clean up after food prep. A quick wipe-down after cooking keeps acidic residue from sitting on the surface.
Most marble care is DIY-friendly. But there are times to call in help:
If you're in the Greater Boston or MetroWest area and need help, give us a call.
Marble is one of the most beautiful natural stones you can put in your kitchen. It's been used in homes for thousands of years, long before anyone had specialty stone cleaners or impregnating sealers.
The key to living happily with marble is understanding what it is and what it isn't. It isn't indestructible. It isn't low-maintenance the way quartz is. But it has a warmth, a depth, and a timeless beauty that engineered materials can't match.
Clean it simply. Seal it regularly. Wipe up spills. And accept that it will develop character over time. That's not a flaw—that's marble being marble.
Can I use Clorox wipes on marble countertops?
I'd avoid it for regular use. Clorox wipes contain bleach and citric acid, both of which can damage marble over time. An occasional wipe in a pinch won't destroy your counters, but daily use will degrade your sealer and can cause discoloration. Stick with mild dish soap and water for everyday cleaning.
Can I use Bar Keepers Friend on marble?
The original Bar Keepers Friend contains oxalic acid, which can etch marble. However, they do make a "Soft Cleanser" version that's gentler. Even so, I'd only use it for stubborn stains, not routine cleaning. Test it in an inconspicuous spot first.
How do I get my marble countertops shiny again?
If the dullness is from film or residue buildup, clean thoroughly with dish soap and water, rinse well, and dry completely. If it's from etching (acid damage), you'll need a marble polishing powder to restore some shine, or professional refinishing for severe cases. If you have honed marble, it's supposed to be matte—that's not dullness, that's the finish.
Is marble hard to maintain?
Honestly? It's more maintenance than quartz or granite, but less than people fear. Daily cleaning is simple—just soap and water. The real "maintenance" is being mindful of acids and wiping up spills promptly. If you can handle that, marble isn't difficult. If you want zero effort, consider quartz instead.
Does marble stain easily?
Marble is porous, so it can stain if liquids sit on it long enough—especially if it's not sealed. But "easily" is relative. A sealed marble counter gives you plenty of time to wipe up spills before they penetrate. Most of what people think are stains are actually etch marks, which are a different issue entirely.
Can you put hot pans on marble?
Marble is naturally heat-resistant, so a hot pan probably won't damage it. That said, I still recommend using trivets. Extreme temperature changes can theoretically cause thermal shock in any natural stone, and it's just a good habit. Plus, the bottom of pans can have residue that might leave marks.
How do you remove yellow stains from white marble?
Yellow stains are often from iron oxidation (rust) or oils that have penetrated the stone. For oil-based yellowing, try a poultice with baking soda and acetone. For rust-related yellowing, you'll need a stone-safe rust remover. If the yellowing is widespread and deep, you may need professional restoration.
What is the best homemade cleaner for marble?
A few drops of mild dish soap (like Dawn) in a spray bottle of warm water. That's it. Don't overthink it. Avoid anything acidic (no vinegar, no lemon), avoid anything abrasive, and always dry the surface after cleaning. Simple works best.
How long does marble sealer last?
It depends on usage and the sealer quality, but typically six months to a year in a kitchen that gets daily use. Do the water test periodically—if water droplets soak into the stone instead of beading up, it's time to reseal. Bathroom vanities with less exposure may go longer between sealing.
Is marble worth it for kitchen countertops?
That depends entirely on you. If you love the look of marble, accept that it will develop character over time, and don't mind basic care habits—absolutely worth it. I have customers who've had marble for 20+ years and wouldn't change a thing. But if you want a pristine, maintenance-free surface that looks the same in year ten as day one, quartz or quartzite might be better choices.
What's the difference between Carrara and Calacatta marble?
Both are Italian white marbles, but they look quite different. Carrara has a grayish-white background with soft, feathery gray veining—it's more subtle and consistent. Calacatta has a brighter white background with bold, dramatic gold or gray veining—it's more striking and luxurious. Calacatta is also rarer and typically more expensive. From a care standpoint, they're similar, though Calacatta's brighter white can show etch marks more readily.
Can marble countertops be refinished?
Yes. A stone restoration professional can re-hone or re-polish marble to remove etching, light scratches, and surface damage. The process involves grinding down the top layer and bringing back the finish. It's not cheap, but it can make a worn marble countertop look new again. For severe damage or deep stains, this is often the best solution.
If you're considering marble for your kitchen or bathroom, or if you have questions about caring for existing marble countertops, we're happy to help. We've been fabricating and installing marble in Greater Boston and MetroWest Massachusetts since 1995.
📞 Call us: 508-460-7900
📍 Visit our showroom: 43 Turnpike Road, Southborough, Massachusetts
We'd love to show you some marble slabs in person and talk about whether it's the right choice for your project.