Michigan State University Extension
Home Maintenance And Repair - 01500274
06/24/03
Marble Furniture--Care and Cleaning
Care
Marble may be stone, but it is porous and stains
easily. Wipe off anything spilled on marble immediately,
just as you would from a wood surface. Use coasters under
beverage glasses to avoid moisture rings.
Regular Cleaning
Occasionally wash marble surfaces with luke warm
water and wipe dry with a clean cloth. Wiping surface
with a damp chamois will not leave streaks. Once or twice
a year, depending on soil, wash with a mild detergent
solution (hand dishwashing detergent and warm water),
rinse and wipe dry.
A light coat of wax will protect the surface of
marble but is not considered essential. Use colorless
wax. Don't wax white marble as it may tend to yellow it.
A marble sealer can be applied to clean marble which
will protect from staining and allow soil to be wiped off
with a damp cloth.
Special Cleaning
Marble which has become dull, can be livened up by
using a commercial marble cleaner and polish. Buy from a
company that sells marble. Companies generally carry
imported polish-cleaners, which are used on softer
imported marbles and hence safe for the harder U.S.
marble. They work faster and easier than the old "marble
care kits" which used to be distributed by marble
companies.
Putty powder, (tin oxide) can be used to polish
dulled or etched surfaces, rubbing on with a damp cloth,
folding and refolding to clean damp areas, and preferably
using an electric polisher for buffing. However it's very
hard to find. Severely damaged surfaces, scratched or
etched, can be polished by a business making and selling
tombstones or other marble products.
This article was written by Anne Field, Extension
Specialist, Emeritus with references from North Carolina
Extension bulletin Potpourri of Home Care Ideas.
This information is for educational purposes only. References
to commercial products or trade names does not imply
endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not
mentioned. This information becomes public property upon
publication and may be printed verbatim with credit to MSU
Extension. Reprinting cannot be used to endorse or advertise
a commercial product or company.
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Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in
cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Thomas G. Coon, Director,
MSU Extension, East Lansing,MI 48824. This information is for educational
purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply
endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.
This file was generated from data base 02 on 02/04/08.
Data base 02 was last revised on 06/24/03.
For more information about this data base or its contents please contact
strausc@msu.edu .