You just renovated your kitchen, chose a gorgeous marble countertop, and couldn’t be happier with how it looks – now the big question is, how do you make sure it stays shiny and clean through the weeks, months, and years? With the right cleaning solutions and maintenance tips, it’s really not that complicated. Let us explain.
Types of Stone Benchtops
Before we dive into our cleaning advice, there are several types of stone benchtops, some more fragile than others. A few of the most popular ones include:
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Marble: A fan-favourite and for good reason – it doesn’t get much more elegant than marble, after all. This stone is, however, a bit more delicate than most.
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Granite: A stone that’s durable and resistant to heat? Yes, please. Granite is more forgiving than marble, but it still requires some TLC to keep it looking good as new.
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Quartz: This engineered stone is quite easy to maintain, so it may be a convenient option (but that doesn’t mean you can slack on your cleaning routine!)
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Porcelain: Another low-maintenance option is porcelain as it is resistant to stains. However, it can chip so a delicate hand (and product) is needed when cleaning.
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Limestone: Softer and more porous than other alternatives, limestone does require special care. Although it looks great, it is prone to scratching or staining, so that’s something to keep in mind.
General Cleaning Guidelines for Stone Benchtops
When it comes to cleaning your stone surfaces, prevention and regular maintenance are the name of the game:
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Wipe up spills as soon as they happen, using a damp cloth – this way, liquids won’t soak into the porous surface and cause stubborn stains
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Do a quick clean every time you cook or prep food on your benchtop – this will prevent grease, grime and other yuckies from building up
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Don’t scrub too hard or you risk damaging the stone
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Polish every few months with a high-quality sealer, to protect the stone from stains and keep it looking shiny
The importance of choosing stone-friendly cleaning products
Choosing the right cleaning solution is crucial to keeping your benchtop clean and damage-free.
If you know anything about us, you know that we’re not fans of harsh, abrasive, chemical-laden products – and, you guessed it, neither is your stone benchtop. Using traditional solutions on these surfaces often leads to damage – like scratches and discolouration. And while minor scratches or stains can sometimes be fixed with a bit of polishing, deeper damage may require professional repair.
An easy way to avoid this? Choosing gentle, natural cleaning products like Orbie’s Universal Probiotic Cleaner. Powered by 60 billion probiotics, our cleaner works wonders on all surfaces of your home. Unlike acidic or alkaline cleaners, Orbies is safe for sealed natural stones, from marble to quartz, porcelain, and beyond. Better yet, the pH neutral formula won't etch or damage your marble surface, so you can preserve its integrity for year to come.
Thanks to the gentle, yet powerful formula, it helps you achieve a clean that is:
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Balanced, fostering a healthy microbiome on all your surfaces
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Deeper, working microscopically to clean what you see – and what you don’t
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Longer, continuously cleaning for up to 3 days
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Fresher, not only controlling odours but eliminating them at the source
How to Clean Kitchen Countertops Naturally
By now we know that, when it comes to cleaning kitchen countertops, natural methods are always a great option. Not only are they better for the environment, but they’re also safer for your stone surfaces. A few other tips?
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Use a microfibre cloth: They’re perfect for cleaning kitchen countertops because they are gentle on stone surfaces while still trapping all dust, dirt, and grime.
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Avoid vinegar, lemon, or bleach: While these natural cleaners work wonders on many surfaces, stone isn’t one of them – especially not marble or limestone.
Cleaning Marble Benchtops: Special Considerations
Marble is a classic benchtop stone, but it is a particularly sensitive one. Here are some special considerations when cleaning marble:
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Avoid acidic cleaners: Marble is highly susceptible to acid damage, so solutions like vinegar, citrus-based cleaners, and other acidic substances are a no-no.
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Seal regularly: Since marble is porous, it absorbs liquids and oils easily. Make sure to seal your marble benchtop regularly to protect it from staining.
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Polish carefully: Use a mild, stone-safe polish to keep the surface looking its best. Be gentle and avoid abrasive pads that could scratch the stone.
How to Remove Stains from Stone Benchtops
Stains happen, but don’t worry! The most important thing here is to act immediately. “Is it really that urgent?” you may be thinking. Well, leave a stain on marble or granite for too long, and chances are that the stone will absorb the liquid – and you won’t be saying goodbye to that stain anytime soon.
So, for spills and stains that haven’t set in too deeply, take a minute to wipe them up quickly with a damp cloth (and prevent lasting damage). If you left the stain on the benchtop for a little longer than desired – again, it happens – our probiotic cleaner may do the trick. The tiny bacteria help break down organic stains, even after they've set – you may just need to use it a few times before seeing results.
Choosing the Right Stone Benchtop Cleaner
With a little extra care, your stone benchtop will remain beautiful and shiny for years to come. Choose Orbies and protect your investment while keeping your kitchen looking fresh and spotless.
