When we built our home 4 years ago marble countertops were at the top of my list. I loved the classic timeless look but I could never really find a good resource of information to answer my main questions. Marble countertops are timeless and just so beautiful. Read on to see what I’ve learned along the way and if I would get them again!

In this post I’ll talk about all things marble and hopefully help you make a decision if you’re on the fence on whether to get them or not.

What I’ll cover in this post

Commonly asked questions regarding marble.
Does marble stain?
Does marble etch?
Does it chip?
Cost of marble
Marble vs quarz/granite
How to clean marble

COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS

There are a few questions which I get often about our countertops. The main one is “ What kind of marble do you have”?

We have Danby Marble! It comes from deep in the earth out of Vermont. I loved that it was a marble found right here in the U.S. One of the wonderful things about Danby Marble is that it is less porous and less easy to stain. This is one of the reason s I got it. It’s mostly white with dark grey veining and some creams. It’s really quite beautiful and unique. I was instantly obsessed with it and knew I wanted it for our kitchen.

It was a big investment and we cut corners other places when building our home but I am so happy we went with the Danby Marble. I should also mention that it’s what Martha Stewart has in her home! Need I say more? I was convinced when I heard that!

In our bathroom we have polished Carrara marble which I also love so much. But if I had to pick, I’d say the Danby is my favorite.

This is a picture of one of our slabs the day we picked them out.

DOES MARBLE STAIN

Yes it can, I have however not had this issue! If you seal your marble it will help prevent stains. Having the Danby marble has also helped because it’s less porous and nothing seeps into it as easily. I have had oil stain ( it shows as a darker mark) and after a few days the mark has usually lightened! This is because the oil seeps into the rock and somewhat disappears after time.

If you do get some deep stains you can do a baking soda paste and it can help lift the stain ( SEE POST HERE )

You can also get stains from water due to the mineral deposits in water. This can also be referred to as etching but it is not a true etch as that is only present when acid affects your countertops.

Make sure to seal your countertops and that will help with all these problems. I would recommend always wiping up if you spill something like grape juice, etc. But overall I have been very happy and have not had issue with stains.

DOES MARBLE ETCH?

Yes it does! Prepare yourself. Etching is when there is a difference in the surface of the marble due to acid stripping away at the stone. It will be a more dull area in the shape of the liquid that fell on it. Lemon juice, ketchup, anything acidic can definitely cause it to happen.

It’s something that is startling at first but it definitely adds to the patina of the marble and gives it a nice lived in feel. One of the reasons I loved marble in the first place.

Some etching can be removed by simply using a paste of comet and scrubbing away. If your countertop has been sealed this will help with etching as well.

CAN MARBLE CHIP?

Being a stone marble is definitely more susceptible to chipping or breaking depending on how it’s set on your countertop. A ninety degree angle is easier to chip because of the angle itself. Ours has a slight roundness to the edge which helps prevent some of this problem. This is called a soft edge which I highly recommend.

I do however have a few chips around my sink. This is a high traffic area that gets hit a lot with pots and pans which can cause a few chips. I’ve gotten used to it and it all beacons part of the character but be aware that this can happen.

COST OF MARBLE

Marble can definitely be more expensive when it compares to granite or other types of counters. However, it can be less expensive than quartz. If you’re looking for a beautiful stone and that old world feel but not as pricey as quartz then marble could be your choice!

We paid around $75/sq foot for our Danby Marble and around $65/sq foot. Some such as Olympia can go over $100/sq foot. Keep all of this in mind when setting a budget for your home.

You also have to pay to seal it yearly.

MARBLE VS QUARTZ and GRANITE

I believe this really comes down to cost and personal decision. Quartz is stronger and easier to keep. No need to seal or watch for etching etc. Marble is also a stronger natural stone and can be installed honed as well. It just usually does not come in a lighter color such as marble. When it came down to it I just loved the classic look and feel of actual marble. I just couldn’t get away from it. For me marble was the clear winner.

HOW TO CLEAN MARBLE

When cleaning marble natural products are best because they will not damage the stone! Castille soap is an excellent natural soap and is great for so many things including marble!

This super easy recipe will keep everything clean and smelling delicious. I use this in our kitchen and bathrooms as well.

RECIPE

2 cups of water

1 TBS castille soap ( I prefer lavender)

10 drops essential oil ( Lavender)

Add to spray bottle and gently swirl before spraying. Use a cloth to wipe down countertops.

It is recommended to seal your marble countertops every six months. I have only done it about once a year. The following is the one I was given by the marble company and it’s the one I use!

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