Last Updated on October 26, 2026 by Royal Stone Care
How to clean marble which is a kind of metamorphosed limestone combined with natural elements, is incredibly beautiful used in floors, on countertops and for accents on furniture. A comparatively soft material, it gets its distinctive look from its veined appearance, and its range of patterns and colours. However, it can stain relatively easily, and its appearance dulls over time, so a certain amount of maintenance is needed for it to stay looking elegant.
How often should I clean my marble?
Obviously this varies according to how often you use the area in question. In low-traffic areas, regular cleaning with a soft cloth should keep marble shiny. For higher-traffic areas, such as a kitchen island that doubles up as a dining table, a quick once-over after every use is a good idea. In bathrooms, a daily clean will keep this natural stone in tip-top condition.
How to clean marble
Use warm water sparingly plus a damp microfibre cloth for daily cleaning. Wipe and dry surfaces immediately with a separate cloth. That will get rid of any possible water marks.
To step up the operation, use washing-up liquid and hot water plus a damp cloth then buff dry using good-quality kitchen towel. (Or think about using a specific marble-cleaning product.)
Why a microfibre cloth is best
A soft, dry microfibre cloth would always be our recommendation. That’s because it lifts dirt effectively, but won’t scratch or otherwise damage the surface of the stone. What’s more, it maintains your marble’s shine.
At the same time, cloths like this can absorb large volumes of liquid to help minimise the possibility of water marks. (Obviously this is most important where you have marble in a kitchen.)
They’re lint-free
Equally, microfibre cloths tend to be free from lint. These are the small fabric fibres which come off your clothes and can build up on surfaces. Lint can harm marble because it’s often abrasive, and will scratch the stone’s polished surface. So if you wipe your marble with a cloth which isn’t lint-free, the surface may start to look dull over time. Or you may start to notice scratches.
What’s the best way to clean marble with a microfibre cloth?
First dampen the cloth slightly with warm water, before gently wiping your stone in a circular motion. Finally, remember to dry the area thoroughly with a separate cloth – that way, you avoid water marks.
Marble maintenance
If you spill any liquids on marble, like wine, coffee or juice, mop them up immediately. Liquid that’s left untouched on marble for any length of time will stain it, as will powders like cumin with a strong pigment. A soft cloth and a small amount of warm water are all you need. Run the cloth over the marble in a circular motion but don’t scrub, just apply a little extra pressure over the stains. Don’t leave the marble damp afterwards – wipe dry.
Protect marble from being scratched by not putting things with sharp edges directly on it. With marble floors, have padding below furniture legs; with countertops, use mats and coasters.
While it won’t make your marble completely resistant to staining, a good sealant provides an extra layer of protection.
Marble deeper cleaning
For deeper cleaning, use a dedicated marble cleaner or a mild soap and warm water. Don’t use vinegar as its acidity will corrode your marble, although hydrogen peroxide can be a good natural cleaning choice. But remember that, if you use any cleaning products, they must be suitable for marble, since the material can be harmed by some chemicals. Buff up afterwards with a soft chamois cloth for extra shine.
Add extra shine with baking soda
Use baking soda very sparingly, since marble can have reaction to alkaline substances. But it works well for infrequent cleans to give your surface a deeper shine. Use a small amount, massaged gently using a soft cloth. Next, rinse carefully with water and then dry. (By the way, baking soda also works well when cleaning the grouting in the bathroom.)
Marble stain removal
To remove stains, first spray the affected area with water. Then make a paste of water and baking soda and apply to the stain before covering with a plastic wrap and leaving it for 24 hours before removing and wiping with a damp cloth. Repeat the process for stubborn stains. Alternatively, try pouring hydrogen peroxide over the stain in a small quantity and following the same procedure with the plastic wrap. (However, with dark marble, be aware that this chemical could lighten it.) For grease spots, corn starch can work well if left to sink in for about 20 minutes before being wiped away.
Using hydrogen peroxide on tougher stains
Only use this for lightly coloured stone, and if you have tougher, or perhaps brightly coloured marks. Just add a few drops to the stained area, cover with cling film and leave for up to 10 hours (ideally overnight.) Then rinse, dry and repeat if necessary.
Use cornstarch to tackle greasy stains
Cornstarch can be one good idea for stains or greasy marks on your marble countertops. Dampen the area in question and then apply cornstarch quite generously. Leave for up to half an hour so the stone absorbs it, then wipe away all remaining residue.
Is there anything I shouldn’t use?
Stick to microfibre cloths! If you use an abrasive cloth or sponge, you’ll just scratch the surface of your stone. And kitchen paper is fine for soaking up spillages, but can leave tiny fibres on your marble.
Essentially, anything abrasive can scratch the surface, so be very careful with all your sponges and cloths.
Finally, remember not to use very acidic or alkaline products to clean marble. These can lead to staining, discolouring and etching. Equally, steer clear of cleaning materials like cloths and sponges which may be abrasive or wiry.
Marble scratch repair
Start with warm water and a soft cloth for a gentle clean, using a mild soap if you like. Wipe away any soap suds thoroughly. Deeper scratches can be rubbed lightly with extra-fine sandpaper. (Not the coarse grain variety.) Marble is a material that needs regular TLC to stay looking its best. Especially if the above methods haven’t worked, you may need to call in the professionals for the best results. Whether you need marble floor polishing or marble restoration, call us today for all your marble cleaning in London needs.
