Cleaning your marble backsplash is essential to keep it looking its best. Knowing the proper cleaning solutions to use and the best methods to clean it can help to keep it shiny and resilient for a long time to come. We've looked into the best way to clean a marble backsplash, and in this post, we will discuss it with you.
Here are the basic steps or techniques to clean a marble backsplash:
- Create a degreasing paste (or use dish soap)
- Degrease the marble backsplash
- Wipe down the backsplash
- Remove stubborn stains
- Buff the backsplash dry
- Apply sealer to the backsplash (optional)
Marble is a very delicate natural stone and should be handled with care when it comes to maintenance. Continue reading to learn about best practices when cleaning and maintaining marble and whether or not you should seal your marble backsplash.
Steps To A Clean Marble Backsplash
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It's essential to use the safest ingredients on your marble backsplash to keep it from becoming dull or damaged. Only use safe all-natural or approved products listed by the manufacturer to clean your backsplash. We will cover which cleaning solutions are typically the safest to use.
Things you'll need:
- A sponge
- Dish soap
- Dishcloths
- Lemons
- Marble sealer
- Vinegar
- Baking soda
- Toothbrush
1. Create a degreasing paste (or use dish soap)
Start by making a cleaning paste that consists of 1 tablespoon vinegar, 1/2 tablespoon of lemon juice, and three tablespoons of baking soda. Mix this grease-fighting solution inside a small bowl until it forms a paste. If you prefer to use dish soap as your degreaser, squeeze a few drops on your cleaning sponge, wet it with warm water, and then wipe down the backsplash.
2. Degrease the marble backsplash
Use a thick sponge to degrease the backsplash and the surrounding grout. It's best to use circular motions to avoid spreading the grease around the surrounding tile. Depending on how dirty your backsplash is and how long the grease has been on the tile's surface, you may need to re-wet the sponge in the solution multiple times during this step. Do not use any scraper tool or steel wool to remove hard stains. Instead, let them soak in the degreaser.
3. Wipe down the backsplash
After you have effectively removed the heavy grease and grime from the backsplash, rinse your sponge in warm water and wipe down the backsplash to prevent any cleaning streaks and films.
Check out this cleaning sponge on Amazon.
4. Remove stubborn stains
If the degreaser didn't remove all of the stains from your natural stone backsplash, you might need to call in the calvary. If you have stains from food such as tomato juice and strawberry sauce or hard water stains from boiling water buildup on your backsplash, here is a formula that you can create to remove them.
Start by taking a white microfiber cloth or a paper towel and douse it with 3 % hydrogen peroxide. Place the cloth or paper towel on the backsplash's stained area and let it sit for about 5 to 10 minutes. After 5 minutes have passed, check the stain to see if it is gone, and if not, re-apply the cloth. If the grout is also discolored, take a disposable toothbrush and use it to scrub the grout.
Buy hydrogen peroxide on Amazon.
5. Buff the backsplash dry
Once the stain has completely lifted, rinse the backsplash with warm water and take a dry microfiber cloth and buff it to a shine.
Read more about this microfiber cloth on Amazon.
6. Apply sealer to the backsplash (optional)
Once the backsplash has completely dried, add one to two coats of an approved marble sealer to it. You can use a microfiber cloth or a lint-free towel to apply the solution. Be sure to buff the sealer in until the solution disappears.
Check out this marble sealer on Amazon.
Tips for cleaning a marble backsplash
- Choose cleaning products that do not contain acidic ingredients or harmful dyes. You'll want to use a ph-neutral cleaner that is designed specifically for marble tile instead.
- Never use harsh cleaning products such as chlorine bleach or ammonia to clean marble surfaces, as they may cause it to etch.
- Never use a stiff-bristled cleaning tool to clean your marble backsplash.
- Don't assume that a product made for granite surfaces can always be used on marble surfaces. Some of these products are often too harsh for marble, so make sure that the label state's that it's made explicitly for marble as well.
- Always test any new cleaner on a small and inconspicuous area of your marble backsplash before attempting to clean the entire surface.
How do you get grease off a marble backsplash?
You can remove the grease from a marble backsplash using a cleaning solution made of baking soda, vinegar, and lemon juice. You can also use mild dish soap to remove the grease. For heavy-duty cleaning, you can also use products such as Goo Gone if you find that the grease stains are proving too hard to remove. For especially tough stains, it's best to soak them in the degreasing solutions and allow them to sit anywhere from 10 to 15 minutes before removing them.
Find out more about Goo Gone on Amazon.
How do I remove a wine stain from marble?
One of the quickest and easiest ways to remove wine stains from marble surfaces is to use hydrogen peroxide. Here's how:
- Start by wiping up any access wine with a paper towel or a microfiber cloth.
- Next, take a sponge or microfiber cloth and place a few drops of mild dish soap onto it.
- Then, wet the cloth and apply it to the stained area. If the wine stain is fresh, this should remove a good portion of it.
- If the stain is still visible, rinse the cloth off and douse it with 3% hydrogen peroxide.
- Next, place the soaked cloth directly over the stain and weigh it down with a heavy object if the stain is large.
- Allow the peroxide to sit on the stain for about 5 minutes before checking it to see if it has lifted. If not, allow it to sit for another 5 minutes.
- Once the stain has lifted, rinse the area thoroughly to remove all remnants of the hydrogen peroxide. Lastly, buff the backsplash dry with a clean cloth.
Should I seal my marble backsplash? [and how often]
Most marble surfaces will come already sealed by the manufacturer. However, if your marble backsplash is on the older side and you find that water no longer beads up on the top of the surface, you may need to reseal it. Home improvement experts recommend resealing marble every three to six months, depending on its quality and color. Re-sealing can help preserve the stone's quality and prevent it from absorbing liquids and moisture, which may cause it to become dull and discolored.
Can you use Magic Eraser on marble?
No, it's not recommended to use Magic Erasers on marble surfaces. Those erasers are abrasive and can scratch marble's delicate surface. They can also damage the sealant on the outer layer of marble, making it more susceptible to stains and discoloration.
Can you use Clorox wipes on marble?
No, generally, Clorox products contain bleach in various concentrations and are typically too harsh for marble surfaces. Not only can the wipes cause the marble's surface to etch and dull, but they can also break down the sealant on top. If you are looking to disinfect marble surfaces, the best solution is to use 70% rubbing alcohol. For sanitizing, allow the alcohol to sit on the marble for about 8 to 10 minutes before wiping it up--this will work to kill germs and viruses.
Find rubbing alcohol on Amazon.
Wrapping Things Up
We hope that this post has provided you with all of the information you need to clean your marble backsplash quickly and safely. The most important thing to remember when cleaning marble is that to wipe up any spills immediately, as doing so will prevent them from setting into the stone, making them even more challenging to remove.
Before you go, be sure to check out our other posts:
What Color Cabinets Go With White Appliances? [10 Great Choices!]
How Tall Should A Sideboard Be? [A Breakdown Of Standard Sideboard Dimensions]
Don’t use lemon on marble! It etches it.