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When to Restore a Marble Countertop?

This time is now if you answer “Yes” to any one of the following questions:

1. Are there a lot of etches, watermarks, clouds, rings?
2. Does a surface look dull overall?
3. Is it worn out?
4. Are there a lot of deep or micro scratches?
5. Are there chips or roughness on the edges of the sink cutout and counter?
6. Is a caulk on the backsplash or sink missing or molded?
7. Is a seam uneven and looks very noticeable?
8. Does your counter has been used regularly and older than 5 years now?

If the condition of your countertop doesn’t bother you much and you are satisfied with it, here are several tips on how to extend the life of marble without restoration:

1. Seal a marble at least once in a year. You can do it easily by yourself, just follow the instructions on a bottle of sealer.
2. Use only neutral cleaner. It must be an acid/alkaline/ammonia/abrasive-free cleaner. The best for this purpose is marble cleaner or dilute a few drops of hand soap with water. Actually, a marble cleaner is a sort of liquid soap, and there are no “magical” components.
3. Wipe out immediately or as soon as possible any liquids you spilled onto the surface, especially if it’s acidic, like juice, wine, or soda as it will etch a surface. A neutral liquid like tea or coffee can leave color stains rather than etches.
4. Don’t cut food directly on the surface.
5. Don’t place hot kitchenware from the oven.
6. Don’t drag or drop heavy objects on the surface.
7. Don’t stand or sit on the counter.
8. Use pads or coasters if needed.

Here are some “Restore it yourself” tips without hiring a stone care expert:

Etch removal

If the etching on the surface is not deep you can reduce or remove it completely by rubbing/polishing it with sandpaper. First, you’ll need to put masking tape all around a working spot, then start rubbing with sandpaper 800-1000grit, then go with 1500 and 2000 grit. With the last sandpaper, do not turn the sandpaper to a clean side; continue polishing with “loaded” sandpaper. In order to little improve a shining you can use “Goddard granite and marble polish” or similar products.
It may take a long time, so repeat it if necessary. It will be more difficult for white marble like White Carrara or Calacatta Gold, and easier for dark and black marble.
Also, it will be easier if a marble has a matt/hone finish, as you don’t need to achieve a proper shine.

To remove scratches, chips, or cracks more likely you’ll need to call to professional as it will require some skills and supplies.

Home-made poultice

Poulticing is the most known way to remove colored stains from marble and it can be easily prepared at home. You’ll need a powder, for this purpose good to use talc, baby powder, flour, or plaster of Paris. Mix a powder with water to a “sour cream-like” condition and apply on the stain, cover with plastic, and seal edges with masking tape. Wait 2-3 days or until the poultice becomes dry and hard. If you notice any progress, then just reapply a poultice in the same way until the stain disappears. If it doesn’t work with water you can try to mix the powder with chlorine, bleach, tilex, marble cleaner, acetone, kerosene, or paint thinner. Please note: some chemicals may leave etched spots.

All the above recommendations and tips may lead to increasing damage to marble and must be done at your own risk and responsibility only.