Natural Ingredients You Can Use To Clean Stained Marble

While they may be beautiful, unique, and trendy, one of the major downsides of marble countertops is that they tend to stain easily. Marble is naturally porous – more porous than almost any other common countertop material, in fact. Because of this, it is usually treated with a protective sealant, but this sealant isn't always foolproof. Once a highly pigmented substance soaks in — maybe red wine, beet juice, or purple shampoo — it can be incredibly difficult to remove it from the marble. Additionally, marble is a surprisingly delicate material, and using any cleaners that are too harsh could strip the sealant, which weakens the surface and makes it even more susceptible to stains.

For these reasons and more, many people may want to reach for all-natural cleaning products, but which ones will work best on stained marble countertops? When it comes to cleaning marble countertops, it's crucial to avoid using anything too acidic, as acidic substances eat away at the countertop's protective sealant, making it more vulnerable to stains in the future. Here's why vodka, hydrogen peroxide, and baking soda are three excellent natural options for cleaning marble countertops.

Most natural homemade cleansers rely on acids to get the job done, but acidic substances spell bad news for marble. We recommend that you head straight to the bar (or liquor store) next time you want to disinfect kitchen countertops, especially delicate marble. Vodka is one of the best natural cleaners for marble countertops and is completely odorless once it dries. Vodka in general is less acidic than any other alcohol, with a neutral pH around 7.0 to 8.1. If the vodka has an alcohol content over 60%, it may also kill germs and bacteria on your countertops. Hydrogen peroxide occurs in small amounts in nature, and can be used to lift stains from light-colored marble, but may discolor dark marbles. If you can't use vodka or hydrogen peroxide, baking soda is another smart natural solution, and it can be made into a stain-lifting poultice with a little bit of warm water. 

While it may not be completely natural, dish soap is another frequently used option for gently cleaning marble, and there are plenty of biodegradable and eco-friendly dish soaps available. When you're using the countertops, be extra cautious when cooking with acidic foods like citrus fruits, vinegar, ketchup, or mustard, or handling bathroom products like mouthwash or salicylic acid. If staining has become a frequent issue in your house, it may be time to have your marble resealed, as the finish can naturally wear away over time.