Caring For Your Marble or Porcelain Benchtop

Here are some handy tips to caring for your marble benchtop.

When a client selects a genuine marble benchtop to be installed in their new kitchen from Snimay, the designer will advise them on the best way to care for this special surface. If you have a marble benchtop, here are some handy tips from Snimay to help you care for your Marble benchtop.

Routine Care and Maintenance:

Use lukewarm water, a mild, non-abrasive detergent and a soft cloth to wipe down. The marble should be thoroughly wiped dry. A solution of half a capful of bleach added to 3 litres of water can also be used to clean marble benchtops.
A light coat of wax can be applied for further protection, but this is optional since marble will not gain additional lustre from wax the way timber does. Marble should be resealed every 12-18 months or according to the instructions of the original sealer used.

Removing Difficult Spill and Stains:

Difficult stains on marble surfaces can be gently soaked off by using any kind of absorbent material such as blotting paper or facial tissue lightly soaked in 4 parts water and 1 part bleach. Place over the stain and leave there for several hours. The stain should wipe off quite easily after treatment. Rust stains are best removed with regular rust removers however marble should not be exposed to them longer than necessary.

Preventing Marks and Scratches:

Marble differs from most other stones because it is extremely porous. In other words, it allows dirt and stains to set in and be retained far more easily than denser natural stones. It also reacts on contact with any acid including acids found in tomato, fruit juice, vinegar, etc. Never leave wet perfumed soaps or aerosol cans on marble benchtops as they can create stains.
Marble is a material that scratches. Use chopping boards and avoid dragging utensils and crockery across the surface of marble.

Preventing Heat Damage:

Do not place hot or extremely cold items directly onto a marble benchtop as the stone could crack. Always use a protective mat or chopping board underneath hot items.

Visit one of our kitchen showrooms to see a marble benchtop in a kitchen space and talk to one of our helpful kitchen showroom assistants for more information on using marble in your kitchen. Also, view our gallery for pictures of marble in use.