Almost all marble products are of high value which means they are worth taking care of if you own something with marble. If you have a marble table it can last for generations if you take care of it the right way. But not everyone knows the right way to clean a marble table and may resort to a simple wipe down or use products that are too harsh.
Since marble tables are a stunning piece of furniture that usually attracts attention as a centerpiece, it’s worth keeping this beautiful piece of furniture nice and clean. Let this serve as your ultimate guide to cleaning a marble table without damaging it.
How to clean a marble table
Marble tabletops are slightly more delicate than other surfaces for a variety of reasons. Most of the cleaning products you may use on other surfaces will easily damage a marble table. For this reason, we have to stick to the very basics.
While we need to use a liquid cleaner of some sort to really clean the surface of the table, the first step is actually dusting. Some people may have the instinct to use a vacuum to get the dirt and dust up but this can end up scratching the marble.
The best way to do this is to:
- Use a microfiber run or soft duster. This prevents scratches or even the marble from chipping.
- Lightly run it over the surface. Don’t worry about any streaks that may show for now. It’s just important to get the film layer off the surface of the material before using any liquid. Dusting is the first step to cleaning a marble table top.
- Regardless of how many times you use a cleaning liquid, dusting should occur every 2-3 days because it can be abrasive in nature to the table top and scratch the surface.
Next, you can start to figure out what liquid solution will work best. There are only a few options but the good news is that those options work well. Anything store-bought should be mild with no harmful chemicals like bleach. Opt for a mild detergent with warm water or all-natural cleaners. You can even consider stone cleaners to do the job.
Here are the next steps:
- Lightly dampen the towel or rag with the cleaning solution. Avoid putting the cleaning solution directly on the table.
- Wipe in circular motions to get any stains or residue up.
- Once finished take a dry cloth and continue circular motions and allowing the marble table to air dry after that. The table should be free of smudges or stains.
When cleaning a marble table it’s more about what you use than how you do it. However, there are some other things to consider. Let’s get into it!
How to seal marble table
You may have heard of the process of sealing your countertops or sealing a marble table. But even if we have heard of it before most of us don’t know how to do it. The process is relatively easy and well worth it since it leaves our countertops and marble table looking new and squeaky clean. It provides a finish that lets the table shine as it should.
But since marble is a porous and soft stone it is unfortunately susceptible to scratches, stains, and markings. Sealing is the answer to this and will leave you feeling more confident that your marble is well protected and worth the money.
Don’t know if you need to do this? Do you get water rings? Then yes, you too should seal your marble! This is the ultimate marble table protector.
So, how do we do it? Watch the following video for an overview.
Here’s what you’ll need:
Now what? Here are the steps to seal your marble table.
The first thing is to eliminate any dust off the marble tabletop by using a dry clean rag. Put down your towels or old sheets around the table so that you don’t ruin your other furniture, walls, or flooring. Once the area is protected you can spray generously right on the table in this case. Most instructions on the product of your choice will tell you to ensure that the area is very wet and evenly coated.
You can pat and spread the sealer on the top of the table to ensure it’s even. If an area starts to look dry then spray it again. The table needs to be evenly wet for 15 minutes before the next step. After the 15 minutes, use a rag that absorbs well to get all the sealer off. You don’t want to leave any sealer behind nor wipe it off onto the floor so ensure the soft towel is great at absorbing. You can always use two.
If you want to be extra safe you can do this process twice after waiting 30 minutes after the first session. You’ll notice that the bottles will explain that the protectant really doesn’t set in until 24 hours after. So be sure not to eat on or use the marble table after this process.
That’s it! After 24 hours the sealant is set and the marble table top is protected. This is the best way to care for marble tables and how to protect marble tables from stains.
What Can You Use To Clean Marble Table Stains
The first step in dealing with marble table stains is to go up to the previous section and prevent them in the first place. You can do this by sealing your marble table. However, stains happen so let’s talk about how to handle them. If you want to know how to clean marble table stains you need to be aware of what you can use and what you shouldn’t.
What you can use to clean marble tables:
- Mild Dish Soap
- Soap and Water
- Natural Stone Cleaners
Cleaning up spills as soon as it happens is also a great way to avoid using more heavy-duty products that could ruin the porous material.
What to avoid when cleaning marble tables
- Acidic Cleaners like Lemon and Vinegar
- Products containing chemicals
The best advice on how to clean and polish marble table tops is less is more when it comes to product choice.
How to Clean and Polish Antique Marble Table Tops
Even if you are dealing with an antique marble table top then you still want to consider using a pH-neutral cleaner so that you don’t have to worry about the acids going through the finish. Non-ionic detergents are also a great option.
Some antique marble table tops may need saving. They could have deep and set-in stains that require a more aggressive approach. You’ll need to be very careful but mix in a water-diluted spray with a tiny, and we mean a tiny bit of ammonia. You also should use a soft bristle brush or toothbrush for scrubbing.
Use a spray bottle on the spot and do a little gentle scrubbing. Pay attention to how the marble table top is reacting because if any erosion, etching, or scratching occurs, you’ll want to stop immediately so you don’t ruin the table altogether.
How to restore a marble table top
If you want to restore a marble table top then you are better off taking it to a professional to work with the porous stone than trying to do something yourself. This is because deep-rooted stains can be made worse when you try to get them out. If it’s really stuck in there then bring it to a professional who can grind down the top layer and thin the marble out if possible.
Taking Care of Your Marble Table Top
The most important thing you need to take from this blog is that marble is a heavy-duty material that actually needs gentle love and care. That’s because it’s a porous and soft material that accrues stains like no other. This is incredibly unfortunate when deep stains set in and you aren’t aware of how to clean it properly.
Getting the stains up as quickly as possible with a natural soap with some water is the best place to start. Getting the dust-up regularly and doing some daily cleaning by using a damp rag is the best policy. If you haven’t sealed your marble table top before then this is also important as it will provide a layer of protection on top of your marble for when an accident does happen.
Ultimately, if you are in a terrible situation and have a deeply set stain, you may need to seek professional help. You can attempt to use a tiny bit of ammonium in a high diluted water spray bottle as mentioned above. By spraying this and using a gentle brush like a toothbrush, you may be able to make some progress. Just remember not to force it!
