Marble countertops add beauty and elegance to a home, and are perfectly safe and suited for the kitchen, bath and other areas. These natural masterpieces are the focal point of any room, but require special attention when it comes to cleaning and disinfecting. 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.
With the threat of COVID-19, homeowners are turning to popular cleaning products to kill bacteria and viruses, but they could be doing more harm than good. Bleach, vinegar and cleaning products from household names like Clorox and Lysol can all cause irreparable damage to marble countertops. These cleaners, while potentially useful in stopping the spread of disease, can take the luster away from your stone surface and cause etching — a series of dull, permanent scars.
The Best Way to Clean Marble Countertops
The best way to clean a marble countertop is by using a spray bottle filled with a mixture of warm, soapy water. Using your preferred dish detergent, you can create a simple and affordable solution that is easy on the environment and much better for your stone surface than cleaners filled with abrasive chemicals.
Antibacterial soaps provide an excellent starting place, but for real disinfecting power against germs and viruses like COVID-19, we recommend adding isopropyl or rubbing alcohol. Rubbing alcohol is an excellent disinfecting agent that won’t harm, stain or etch your marble countertops.
Preparing the mixture is easy and something you can do in just a few minutes at home. Fill a clean spray bottle with warm tap water. Then, add one drop of liquid dish detergent and four tablespoons of rubbing alcohol for every eight ounces of water, and gently rock back and forth to mix it together.
Cleaning and Disinfecting Marble Countertops for COVID-19
We recommend cleaning your marble countertops at least once a day. If you spill liquids onto a marble surface, blot it dry as fast as possible using a towel to prevent stains. Alcohol is non-abrasive and you can use it throughout the day without damaging the surface of your stone. To clean your marble countertops:
- Prepare the surface: To prevent scratching, take a dry rag and gently sweep any loose crumbs and debris from your countertops.
- Spray your countertops: Using your cleaning solution, thoroughly spray your counters and let the solution sit for at least one minute.
- Wipe your counters: Rinse the soap from your rag and wipe the leftover soap away to prevent streaking after drying.
- Dry your countertops: Blot your counters dry using a clean towel to remove any sitting water and leave your countertops shining.