Jasmine Roth Shares Her Secret To Keeping Marble Countertops Looking Good As New

Let's face it. Marble countertops are gorgeous, luxurious, and timeless, but they can be a total pain to tidy. Consistently listed amongst the countertop materials that are the hardest to keep clean, porous marble is prone to etching, staining, changing over time, and developing a natural patina as the surface ages. But despite these drawbacks, the stone has held sway for centuries. With intricate veining and a long lifespan (once cared for well), marble remains one of the most popular countertop surfaces for homes because it adds elegance and opulence to any room. Thankfully, home design guru Jasmine Roth, the star of HGTV's "Hidden Potential" and "Help! I Wrecked My House," has helpful advice for helping you maintain your marble and make countertop cleaning a breeze. Her solution is one you may not have heard of, UV countertop coating.

In her blog, the HGTV star shared that she chose marble countertops for the first home she ever built and struggled to keep them clean and protected. "We spent years babying the countertops. Marble stains and etches so easily that we were using coasters and wiping spills frantically left and right. That is, until we learned about UV coating," Roth shared. "Basically, you hire a professional that comes to your house and does a UV treatment to your marble countertops that seals them." Below, we break down Roth's tip and explain how it works so you can protect your investment and keep your marble looking as luxurious as the day you bought it.

Jasmine Roth's tip can help homeowners protect and care for marble. Unlike protective films and coatings that can cause issues like flaking, peeling, and loose edges over time, a UV coating involves a sealant that is applied and cured with UV light, which prevents stains and etches for 10 years or more. Certified applicators will remove existing etches and scratches, fill holes and seams, and prepare the surface for the application of the sealant. UV coating comes in a matte or satin finish and once applied and cured with a UV light, the installer will shine counters so they show and maintain a bright and consistent shine over time.

Although you'll have to contact a provider in your area for an accurate assessment, you're likely to pay anywhere from $5 to $8 per square foot (per Home Advisor). You might be skeptical about the expense, but since marble stains more easily than you might realize, it might be a worthy investment to save you from the hassle of dealing with trouble spots. And, if this upkeep sounds like too much to deal with, you can always opt for quartz countertops instead, another Jasmine Roth favorite. Because it's engineered, quartz is non-porous, waterproof, and hyper-durable. Plus, they can mimic the look of marble with a lower price tag. In the end, the choice is yours, but we recommend picking a surface with upkeep that's manageable for you, whether it's marble, quartz, or something else altogether.