Cleaning Cultured Marble Countertops

Cultured marble is a man-made resin that looks like real marble, but is much less expensive and more durable. Because it isn't natural stone, it's not porous and therefore doesn't need to be sealed. Since cultured marble scratches easily, it isn't a good choice for a kitchen surface, but it makes a wonderful bathroom surface. There are many different styles, colors, and patterns to choose from. You can even have your sink and countertop integrated into one solid piece. To keep it looking beautiful, clean it regularly and properly according to the following tips.

• Wipe up any spills or messes from your countertop right away to keep stains from forming.
• When cleaning your cultured marble countertop, make sure the surface is always wet or it could scratch (same for cultured granite and cultured onyx). Clean by spraying on an all-purpose liquid cleaner and wiping with a cloth.
• Stay away from acidic substances such as vinegar or lemon juice when cleaning cultured marble.
• Use only soft cloths or sponges to scrub your cultured marble. Steel wool, scouring pads, or stiff brushes will scratch the delicate surface. Don't use any kind of metal tool, either.
• Use denatured alcohol to remove stains from such things as hairspray residue or paint. If that doesn't work, try using turpentine or paint thinner. Test these substances on an inconspicuous area first to make sure they won't harm the finish.
• For mineral or rust stains, get a powdered cleaning product such as Barkeeper's Friend and add water to create a paste. Let it sit for awhile, then scrub with a damp cloth.
• Remove plaster spills from cultured marble by rubbing at it repetitively with a damp rag. Plaster is water soluble and should eventually rub off. If it doesn't, get a wooden tool with a flat edge to carefully scrape off the plaster, then wash the surface with all-purpose cleaner.
• Cultured marble can be refinished if it has lost its shine. The product Countertop Magic will shine it up well (works great on laminate surfaces, too). If you don't have that, you can use car wax or paste wax instead.

If you follow this advice, your cultured marble countertops will look beautiful for years to come.