When it comes to countertops, marble is an outstanding choice as it can give a home a very elegant look. Marble countertops are heat resistant and waterproof but porous to stains and require regular maintenance to remain attractive. Regular cleaning of units of this type is a must to prevent its surface from becoming dull. What You Will Need Soft cloth or sponge Ph-neutral stone cleaner Hot water Paper towel Cornstarch Liquid detergent Hydrogen peroxide Plastic cover Baking soda Crushed chalk Microfiber cloth

Cleaning Process

1. Clean surfaces with a soft cloth or a sponge. Dust your marble countertop using a wet soft cloth or sponge. A ph-neutral stone cleaner and hot water are the only cleaning agents that you should use on a regular basis. Never use a cleaning product that can etch the countertop surface over time. Also, do not use abrasive cleaners that can damage the finish.
   
   
2. Blot up spills immediately. Marble countertops are much more sensitive to acidic substances (i.e. tomato sauce, coffee, fruit juices, sodas and vinegar) than those that were constructed using granite. Blot up spills as soon as they occur. Leaving spills on the surface can lead to permanent staining. Use a soft cloth or paper towel to blot the stain. Do not wipe or scrub as this could only stain a larger area. Once done blotting the spill with paper towel, use water to rinse away any spilled liquid that remains. Blot again with paper towel to take in the remaining liquid. Dry the surface with clean paper towels or soft cloth.
   
   
3. Remove stains at once. Marble countertops stain so easily. To remove unwanted marks, you have to reverse the staining process. Since the stain has been absorbed by the stone, you simply have to re-absorb it into a different material. The very first step in marble stain removal is identifying the stain. It would be easy to know what chemical or substance to apply if you know what caused the stain.
   
   Oil stains: Cover the stained area with cornstarch for around 24 hours in order for the excess oil to be absorbed. Rinse with warm water and liquid detergent then gently dry the marble with a soft cloth. Once you have removed the oil stain from your marble countertop, polish the area with a dry soft cloth until the surface becomes glossy.
   
   Coffee or juice stains: Wipe the stained area with dish detergent and warm water. If the stain remains, saturate a soft cloth or paper towel with hydrogen peroxide then lay the soft cloth or paper towel over the blemish and cover with plastic. Let the dampen cloth or paper towel to dry then rinse the stained area with clear water. If the mark is still there, repeat the stain removal process.
   
   Ink stains: Saturate a soft cloth with hydrogen peroxide then lay the soft cloth over the stain and cover it with plastic. Leave the soft cloth and allow it to dry (this usually takes around 1 to 2 days). Rinse the area with clear water. If the ink stain is still apparent, repeat the process.
   
   
4. Make your marble countertops shine. You can use commercial marble polish to make your countertop shine or baking soda. First, mix three (3) tablespoons of baking soda with a quarter of water. Wipe your marble with the mixture and let it dry for a few hours (approximately around five hours) then rinse it. Next, wipe crushed chalk on the marble countertop then rinse thoroughly. Wipe the surface with a microfiber cloth until you achieve the shine you desire.

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