"Is marble hard to maintain?" is one of the most common questions we get at Kozy Nest. The honest answer: no — but it does require a different approach to timber or glass. Marble is a natural stone, and like all natural materials, it responds well to the right care and poorly to the wrong products.
This guide covers everything you need to know to keep your marble dining table or coffee table looking beautiful for decades.
The Golden Rules of Marble Care
Before getting into specifics, these four principles cover 90% of marble maintenance:
- Wipe spills immediately — especially acidic liquids
- Use pH-neutral cleaners only — never acidic or alkaline products
- Seal regularly — once a year for dining tables, every 1–2 years for coffee tables
- Use protection — coasters, placemats, and trivets for hot items
Daily Cleaning
For everyday cleaning, less is more. A soft, damp microfibre cloth is all you need for most spills and dust. For a deeper clean:
- Use a pH-neutral stone cleaner or a small amount of mild dish soap diluted in warm water
- Wipe with a soft cloth — never abrasive sponges or scourers
- Rinse with clean water and dry immediately with a soft cloth — don't leave water sitting on the surface
What to avoid: vinegar, lemon juice, bleach, ammonia-based cleaners, bathroom cleaners, and any product that is acidic or alkaline. These will etch the marble surface — creating dull spots that are difficult to reverse on a polished finish.
What is Etching — and How Do You Avoid It?
Etching is the most common form of marble damage, and it's often confused with staining. An etch mark is a dull, slightly rough patch on the marble surface caused by an acidic substance reacting with the calcium carbonate in the stone. Common culprits include:
- Wine, especially white wine and champagne
- Citrus juice (lemon, lime, orange)
- Vinegar and vinegar-based dressings
- Coffee and tea (if left to sit)
- Acidic cleaning products
The best prevention is simple: wipe spills immediately and use coasters and placemats. If etching does occur on a polished surface, it can sometimes be improved with a marble polishing powder — but severe etching may require professional re-polishing.
Pro tip: If you're concerned about etching, choose a honed (matte) finish for your dining table. Honed marble is far more forgiving — minor etching is virtually invisible on a matte surface, whereas it shows clearly on a polished one.
Stain Removal
A stain is different from an etch — it's a discolouration caused by a substance being absorbed into the stone's pores. Common staining agents include oil, coffee, red wine, and ink. Here's how to address them:
- Oil-based stains (cooking oil, butter, cosmetics): apply a poultice of baking soda and water, cover with plastic wrap, leave for 24–48 hours, then remove and rinse
- Organic stains (coffee, tea, wine, food): a diluted hydrogen peroxide solution (12% or less) applied carefully can help lift organic stains on light-coloured marble. Test in an inconspicuous area first.
- Ink or dye stains: consult a professional stone restorer for best results
Prevention is always better than cure — a well-sealed marble surface is significantly more resistant to staining than an unsealed one.
Sealing: Why It Matters and How to Do It
Sealing is the single most important maintenance step for marble furniture. A quality stone sealer penetrates the surface and fills the microscopic pores in the stone, creating a barrier against staining agents.
How often to seal
- Dining tables (high use): seal every 12 months
- Coffee tables (moderate use): seal every 12–24 months
- Side tables and plinths (low use): seal every 2–3 years
How to seal marble
- Clean the surface thoroughly and allow to dry completely (at least 24 hours)
- Apply a quality penetrating stone sealer with a soft cloth, working in sections
- Allow to penetrate for the time specified on the product (typically 10–20 minutes)
- Buff off any excess sealer with a clean dry cloth before it dries on the surface
- Allow to cure for 24–48 hours before use
Use a sealer specifically designed for natural stone — not a generic surface coating. Products like Lithofin, Dry-Treat, or Aqua Mix are widely available in Australia and work well on marble and travertine.
Caring for Travertine
Travertine requires the same basic care as marble, with one additional consideration: its natural surface pitting. Filled travertine (where the pits have been filled during fabrication) is easier to clean and maintain than unfilled travertine. For unfilled travertine, take extra care to prevent liquids from pooling in the pits, and seal more frequently.
What to Do If Your Marble is Damaged
For minor scratches on polished marble, a marble polishing powder can sometimes restore the shine. For more significant damage — deep scratches, severe etching, or chips — consult a professional stone restoration specialist. In most cases, natural stone can be restored to near-original condition by a professional, which is another advantage over timber or engineered surfaces.
Summary: Marble Care Checklist
- ✅ Wipe spills immediately, especially acidic liquids
- ✅ Clean daily with a damp microfibre cloth
- ✅ Use pH-neutral stone cleaner for deeper cleans
- ✅ Use coasters, placemats, and trivets
- ✅ Seal annually (dining tables) or every 1–2 years (coffee tables)
- ❌ Never use vinegar, lemon juice, bleach, or acidic cleaners
- ❌ Never use abrasive sponges or scourers
- ❌ Never leave water sitting on the surface
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Have a question about caring for your Kozy Nest piece? Get in touch and we'll help.