Is this the first time you are using marble in your kitchen or bathroom? There are several things you should know. To help you out, here are 5 things you should know when living with marble countertops:
They won’t retain their pristine condition unless you maintain them
One of the things that draw people to marble is its elegant appeal. While the countertops are beautiful to look at, they don’t retain their look for long, unless you protect them from damage.
As a rule of thumb, never cut onions, tomatoes, or any materials directly on the surfaces. This is because the surfaces are prone to staining and scratching. To avoid damaging your countertops, always have a chopping board on the surfaces that you use instead of cutting them directly.
The other thing you should do is be cautious of the materials you place on the countertops. Some people will chop their vegetables on the countertops then leave them on the chopping board. After some time, the juices from the vegetables flow down the board and get on the countertops. If you don’t remove the juices soon enough, they leave a permanent stain.
To avoid this, place the chopped vegetables on a surface where the juices won’t get onto the countertops and stain them.
They don’t hold too well to a lot of pressure.
On a casual look, marble looks like one of the toughest countertop materials out there. While they are tough and easily withstand the common kitchen and bathroom uses, they can’t withstand a lot of abuse. For example, the countertops can’t withstand the pressure from standing or sitting on them.
Many homeowners sit on the countertops when they are making their meals. This is wrong. It is equally wrong to stand on the countertops to replace the bulb or reach the top shelf.
In the same way you shouldn’t stand or sit on the countertops, you shouldn’t place hot pots or pans on the surfaces as you risk burning the surfaces and leaving a serious permanent scar on the surfaces.
They can be tricky to clean.
Every homeowner wants to maintain their countertops in perfect shape. To do this, some homeowners opt to use tough cleaning products such as water and vinegar. Others go for organic citrus-based cleaners.
At first glance, these products seem ideal for use, but they aren’t as they ruin the marble. Over extended periods of time, these products reduce the shine, so your surfaces don’t look as perfect as they used to.
To avoid damaging your countertops and maintain the shine, avoid any acidic cleaning products, as they will leave deep and narrow scratches on the surfaces. The solutions can also eat away at the protective coating, increasing the countertop’s risk of staining.
For perfect countertops, use cleaners specifically meant for marble. If you can’t find the cleaner, stick to the good old water and soap.
You need to reseal the countertops.
While marble appears tough, you should note that it’s one of the most porous countertop materials in the market. This means that you need to seal it at least once a year. If your kitchen or bathroom is too busy, you may have to reseal the surfaces twice or more a year.
Besides sealing the surfaces preventing them from staining, it also maintains the shine and ensures that the countertops last for a long time.
When you are sealing the countertops, and you notice that the surfaces have mild etching, use marble polishing powder approved for use and ensure that you follow the necessary directions.
If there are stains, try getting rid of them using baking soda. To make the poultice, mix the baking soda using little water and spread it on the stain, then cover it. Wait for 12-24 hours, then gently remove the paste and wipe the surfaces with a damp cloth.
Will marble be a headache to own?
If you haven’t already installed marble kitchen countertops Durham, you must be wondering whether marble is a great choice. The truth is that marble is a high maintenance stone, so if you are a heavy kitchen user, you are better off with another countertop. You also should avoid marble if you have young kids or don’t like home maintenance.