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The Daily Insight

How do I keep my marble countertop from staining

Author

Rachel Ross

Published Apr 17, 2026

Make sure to set citrus fruits, tomatoes, and any foods with high acidity in a bowl or on a plate before setting it on the counter. When possible, avoid splashing vinegar, wine, or oil onto the marble.

Can marble be sealed against staining?

For the most part, there isn’t much that can be done to prevent etching, but sealing will help prevent stains. … Impregnating sealers are the best bet for marble surfaces because they’re formulated to go in just below the surface of the stone to slow the absorption of staining liquids rather than sitting on top.

How do you clean and protect marble countertops?

  1. If not using marble cleaner, mix a squirt of gentle, non-abrasive dish soap with warm water in a spray bottle and spray the counter generously. Scrub gently and wipe soapy solution off with a clean wet cloth. Repeat process until all soapy residue is gone.
  2. Rub the countertop dry, and buff with a soft absorbent towel.

Do marble countertops stain easily?

Marble is more porous than other common countertop materials like engineered stone (sold often as simply “quartz”) or soapstone, so it can be prone to staining and etching (a.k.a light scratching or physical changes to the stone itself).

Is there a permanent sealer for marble?

Stain-Proof Permanent Marble and Granite Sealer is the next generation in sealer technology providing premium protection against all water and oil-based stains on granite countertops, marble, travertine, limestone, slate, concrete, tiles, pavers, grout, and all porous surfaces.

Should a marble counter top be sealed?

Most stone experts recommend sealing your marble countertops every 3-6 months, depending on the color and quality of the marble. To preserve the quality of your stone surface, you need to be diligent about sealing it.

Can I seal marble myself?

Sealing granite or marble can be a ‘Do It Yourself’ project, but only if your stone is not already showing signs of wear-and-tear. … You should look for a solvent-based, penetrating sealer, which will soak deep into the pores of the stone and seal them so that liquid will not seep into the stone.

Will baking soda scratch marble?

Baking soda is alkaline so you should only use it with caution. It is also a mild abrasive, so you need to use it gently rather than applying elbow grease. Because of these factors, a baking soda cleanser should not be used on marble every day. Frequent use could dull your marble countertop.

Can you use Clorox wipes on marble?

Marble is a porous stone and when these surfaces come into contact with acidic liquids and abrasive cleaners, it could cause scarring, staining and permanent damage to your stone. … Bleach, vinegar and cleaning products from household names like Clorox and Lysol can all cause irreparable damage to marble countertops.

Can you use hydrogen peroxide on marble?

So long as the marble is light-colored, you can experiment with hydrogen peroxide. But don’t go near this method if your marble is darker—the bleach could discolor it. The very best way to care for marble is to prevent stains in the first place.

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Can I use Windex on marble?

Avoid acidic & citrus cleaners. Any cleaner with pH above 10 etches marble which is why bleach (pH 12) and ammonia (pH 11) are not for cleaning marble. Also bad are nearly all name-brand cleaners like Windex, 409, Tilex, Lime Away, Kaboom, CLR, and Lysol. … Avoid abrasive cleaners or pads or you may scratch the finish.

How often should marble be sealed?

Sealant products range from recommending use every 6 months to every decade. However, it is safest to seal your countertop every 6 months to 1 year, to ensure your marble remains in its best condition for as long as possible.

How do you get water stains out of marble?

Calgon or mild dish soap are both good choices and safe to clean marble. Buff the area gently with dry 0000 steel wool to remove water spots and rings. Dunk a soft sponge into the liquid and rub the water stain lightly, using a circular motion. Continue applying the soapy water until the stain dissolves.

What is the best sealer for marble?

PRODUCT NAMESEALER TYPEFOOD SAFEMB-4 MB Stone Care Marble SealerWater-basedYESDuPont StoneTech Bulletproof SealerWater-based ImpregnatingYESMiracle Sealants 511 Impregnator For Polished MarbleWater-based Impregating Polished SurfacesYES

How much does it cost to seal a marble countertop?

Average Cost of Resealing Stone The price of resealing costs $0.50 to $2 per square foot. Professional restorers finish the project by adding a sealer to the floor or counter. The sealant helps prevent future stains and protects the shine.

How do you permanently seal marble countertops?

  1. Step 1: Deep Clean the Stone You Plan to Seal. Cleaning the counter well ahead of time will ensure you’re sealing only the counter and will help the sealant absorb more evenly. …
  2. Step 2: Apply Sealer With a Soft Cloth, Lambs Wool or Soft Brush. …
  3. Step 3: Remove the Sealer. …
  4. Step 4: Apply Additional Coats of Sealant (As Needed)

Can you spray clear coat on marble?

Over time marble can get scratched and begin looking rough from weathering. You can prevent this by simply applying a clear epoxy coating over your worn and dull marble surface. You can also refinish your marble surface to bring back shine.

How can you tell if marble is sealed?

Looking at the where the water was before it wiped up, the stone will either exhibit a darker shade or you will notice no change. In the instance of no change, then your marble is already sealed and/or your granite will not accept a water-based sealer because granite has low absorption properties.

Does granite sealer work on marble?

After a while, hard water stains may form and etching could emerge. Once this happens, your marble surfaces will probably need to be refinished by a professional, which can be costly. Learning how to seal marble countertops is easy with Granite Gold Sealer®, a marble and granite sealer formulated for household use.

Does water stain marble?

Since marble is softer than other natural stones, such as granite, it is more susceptible to staining from cooking and spills. In addition, spots result from water splashing around the sink. If not wiped up immediately, water spots and hard water accumulations occur, leaving unsightly stains.

How do you protect a marble table top?

Seal. One of the most important things you can do for your marble is to seal it. Even if your piece arrives sealed already, you’ll need to re-apply a sealant every six months, or at minimum once a year. When water stops beading on the surface, it’s time for a fresh coat.

How do you apply sealer to marble?

  1. Spray the counter with a marble cleaner and buff dry with a soft cloth. …
  2. Pour some marble sealer into an open-mouthed container large enough to dip your paintbrush into. …
  3. Dip the foam paintbrush into the sealer and paint it onto the counter with slightly overlapping strokes.

Can you use Meyers cleaner on marble?

I do not recommend Mrs. Meyers on marble surfaces, although we do love their products and use them elsewhere in our home!

Are marble countertops a bad idea?

ANSWER: A marble kitchen countertop is a potential bad idea not because it cannot do the job, but because cleaning marble and the marble maintenance required will frustrate most owners to the point they regret installing marble in the kitchen.

Is Windex safe on granite?

Frequent use of vinegar, Windex or bleach will dull the granite and weaken the sealant. Instead, a little soap and water should do the trick. … Avoid using abrasive pads, as granite can be scratched.

Is vinegar safe to use on marble?

Never use acidic limescale removers, lemon, vinegar, or citrus-based soaps to clean a marble tile shower. Since marble is such a soft natural stone, acidic cleaning products can etch and damage the sealant that protects the stone.

How do you clean an old marble top?

You can mix a little soap into warm water in a spray bottle or simply put a few drops onto a wet cloth. Wipe the marble surface down with this sudsy cloth and follow immediately with a rinse and a dry. Be careful not to use too much soap, which may leave a film behind.

Can you use bleach on marble?

The Marble Institute of America, or MIA, advises against using vinegar, lemon juice or other cleaners containing acid on marble, including bleach. Experts instead recommend only mild soap and water. … A polished finish has a glossy surface, reflects light and shows off the color and markings in the marble.

Can I use borax to clean marble?

It mixes nicely with lemon, vinegar, and water for cleaning purposes, and is safe for use on any surface, including tile, ceramic, porcelain, slate, marble, granite, and stainless steel. Borax is a great DIY cleaner and here are 10 easy ways you can use it.

Can Magic Eraser be used on marble?

Magic Erasers are abrasive, so avoid using them on delicate countertops such as marble and granite. Not only can you damage the sealant but the eraser may make the countertop appear dull.

Do water rings stain marble?

A: Even the most careful marble owners can slip up now and then, resulting in an unsightly mark on the beautiful marble. It happens. And water rings are exceptionally common. However, it’s important to point out that water marks are actually caused when the minerals in hard water accumulate and build up.