How To Clean Marble Countertops?

Marble countertops are gorgeous, with intricate veining patterns that add depth and color to your kitchen. If you are considering marble countertops, you will want to know how to clean marble to maintain its brilliant sheen. We’ve researched to get the answer for you.

Follow these easy steps to clean marble countertops:

1. In a spray bottle, mix warm water and mild dish detergent.
2. Spray the countertop with soapy water.
3. Gently scrub the countertop using a non-abrasive sponge or soft cloth. 
4. Wipe excess soapy water from the countertop, and repeat to spray/scrub/wipe as needed until the surface is clean.
5. Dry the countertop with a soft, absorbent towel.

Keep reading, and we’ll delve into the best cleansers to use on marble so you can keep this all-natural surface looking like new.

What Is The Best Way To Clean Marble?

Marble is an all-natural, stone surface that is somewhat porous and mainly comprised of calcium carbonate. It is susceptible to scratching, staining, and etching. Acidic substances like lemon juice, vinegar, tomato, coffee, or wine can slowly eat away at calcium carbonate to etch the surface - leaving marble looking dull or discolored.

The best way to clean marble is by using warm, soapy water and a non-abrasive sponge or cloth. Diluted, mild dish detergent works well to clean and disinfect marble. Alternatively, you can use a commercial stone cleaner—clean marble countertops every day for the best results.

To avoid staining and etching on marble, wipe away spills immediately because the longer an acidic substance stays on the marble surface, the darker the etching can become. Use a paper towel or damp cloth to wipe spills. Follow by cleaning the countertop when time allows.

Best Cleaner For Marble?

Commercial cleaners use unique, gentle formulas for marble surfaces. These cleansers do not contain harmful acids and are formulated to disinfect marble surfaces without leaving behind any residue. Some cleaners even combine a sealant to keep your marble countertop protected from unwanted stains or etching.

Check out our top picks for marble cleansers:

Stone Care International Daily Marble Cleaner

Gengle’s formula is pH neutral, safe to use daily on marble countertops yet strong enough to remove tough grease and stains. Simply spray and wipe for a streak-free shine.

Click here to find this on Amazon.

Stone Tech Mold & Mildew Stain Remover

Specially formulated, a spray-on cleaner is safe to use on marble surfaces. Just spray the countertop and wipe away dingy mold or mildew for a thoroughly disinfected shine.

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Method Daily Granite & Marble Cleaner

Non-toxic formula is safe for use on marble countertops. Leave your marble surface shining, with just a spray and wipe for a clean, polished finish.

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Marblelife Marble & Travertine Cleaner

Specially formulated for daily use, non-acidic cleaner safely removes grime and oil from marble countertops to leave a streak-free shine.

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Black Diamond Granite Plus

Clean and seal your marble countertop with this 2-in-1, pH neutral formula. Cleanser whisks away grime while sealant protects against stains and etching for a smooth finish.

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How Do You Clean Film Off Marble?

Washing marble countertops with soap can leave behind a film, making the surface somewhat dull. The best way to avoid a soap film is to rinse the countertop with fresh water each time you clean it. Dry the clean, rinsed countertop with a soft, absorbent towel.

If your marble countertops are lackluster, you can easily remove a film that has built-up over time by washing the surface with stone soap. Specially formulated stone soap is pH neutral to safely lift grime, oil, water stains, and soap scum from marble without damaging the porous surface. Stone soap revitalizes marble countertops.

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How Do You Make Marble Shine Again?

Use a marble polishing powder to restore the shine on stained or etched countertops. Simply follow the instructions provided to add water (either sprinkle the powder directly onto the surface or onto a damp, soft cloth) and gently rub into the stone. Continue to rub until the stain or etching is no longer visible.

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Deep etching in marble might require the use of a buffing pad to grind away the topmost layer of stone and re-polish the newly exposed surface. Affix buffing pads to a drill or grinder, and select from a variety of grits so that you can get the right finish for your countertop.

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Is Dawn Dish Soap Safe For Marble?

Dawn dish detergent is an extremely mild cleanser. Because Dawn has a neutral to alkaline pH (Dawn Ultra has a pH between 9.0 - 9.2), it will not react with marble. Remember to dilute dish detergents with warm water to clean marble countertops, and rinse afterward to prevent a film from forming.

How Do You Clean Marble Naturally?

Using hot water is the most natural and effective way to clean marble. But if you would like something a bit more gratifying, use all-natural Castile soap. Made from plant-based oils, and without added fragrances or preservatives, Castile soap is 100% food safe. Mix this alkaline formula with warm water and use a soft cloth to lift residue from marble countertops gently.

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During our search for natural marble cleansers, we have found several recommendations for baking soda. Although baking soda is a natural disinfectant, it is abrasive. Baking soda can easily scratch marble, particularly if you rub it too hard. Excess powder left behind on the clean surface can scratch marble when items on the counter are set atop or slid across the baking soda.

We suggest not using baking soda or other abrasive cleansers, scouring pads, or brushes to clean marble. Several alternatives are provided in this blog to ensure a flawless finish to clean your marble countertop.

Can I Use Magic Eraser On Marble?

Although magic erasers seem soft and squishy, they are made from abrasive material. Do NOT use a magic eraser on marble because it can damage the surface by lightly scratching the stone.

Can I Use Windex On Marble?

Most Windex cleaners contain ammonia, a common household cleaning agent used for breaking down tough grease and grime. Because it evaporates quickly and does not streak, ammonia is typically used to clean glass surfaces. Ammonia is an alkaline compound with a pH of 11.0; it should not interact with marble.

SC Johnson recommends using the Windex Disinfectant Cleaner Multi-Surface product to clean marble. However, because this is not a food-safe formula, marble countertops should be rinsed with warm water after using this product to clean the surface.

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Do NOT use Windex Ammonia-Free Glass Cleaner because the main ingredient in this product is vinegar. Distilled white vinegar is highly acidic with a pH of 2.5, and will interact with marble to cause etching to occur on your countertops.

Curious how acidic foods interact with the surfaces in your kitchen? Check out our blog, “Can You Put Tomato Sauce in a Stainless Steel Bowl?”

Always test chemical cleansers on a small area first before applying to your entire countertop to make sure you are happy with the result. Never mix different types of chemical cleaning agents.

Is Rubbing Alcohol Safe On Marble?

Isopropyl alcohol is an organic compound that is typically diluted with water and sold as rubbing alcohol. It is primarily used at home as a disinfectant. Isopropyl alcohol is acidic, although it is extremely weak (pKa 17.1), it can react with marble over time. There are much safer alternates for cleaning marble, like hot water, commercial stone soap, and mild dish detergent.

To learn more about maintaining stone countertops, check out our blog:

Do Quartz Countertops Stain? [and How to Keep them Clean]