skip to main content

marble cleaner for honed marble?

13 years ago

can anyone recommend a good cleaner for HONED marble? all the good cleaners out there are for marble adn granite, and are designed to put a shine on the countertop, which is not what i want...any suggestions for a good cleaner that will retain the look of honed marble?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

rem1970
13 years ago
I remember reading on another post that a mix of alcohol and water is good for cleaning marble countertops. I imagine it wouldn't impart a shine. Hopefully others will chime in.
boxerpups
13 years ago
Hi Mykitchenreno,

I used to use SCI Clean Encounters spray. You can find that
at Homedepot but it usually comes in a package of 4. Polish,
sealer... and what a waste because we can't use polishes on
our honed granite.

Years ago someone kindly posted what they use to clean.
I combine 1 part rubbing alcohol to 1 part water in a spray
bottle. I add my own little concotion; a drop or two of
vanilla, lemon, or almond extract. The counters smell so
pretty and it is safe to eat too.

This has worked fantastic for me. Of course on cookie
baking days, PBJ smears or someone has left a greasy
spoon. Dish detergent and a sponge help pre-clean those
spots. I love the alcohol/water scented cleaner. You'll
find the delicious scented cleaner is effective.

~boxerpups
Related Discussions
Seeking Natural/Organic daily cleaner for marble countertops?
Q
Comments (29)
Pretty much every stoop in the city of Baltimore is made of marble. The old timers have been scrubbing down these marble stoops for 100 years with a product called bon ami. It looks like Ajax and comes in a similar container, but it is not abrasive (contains no pumice), it is organic (limestone powder, feldspar, coconut, soda ash, and baking soda). Works incredibly well. I use it on my marble stoop, polished marble tile, and everything porcelain in my house. $1 per can. Here is a link that might be useful: Product website and description This post was edited by klavier on Sun, Jan 6, 13 at 22:23
...See More
marble countertop owners...to hone or not to hone
Q
Comments (10)
rubyvine, before I sealed my honed marble, it was indeed like a sponge ... water soaked right in! I sealed it myself with 511 Impregnator available from Home Depot ... easy process: spray on, rub in and wipe excess off. Now water and other liquids stay on the surface. I've spilled all kinds of stuff on it: coffee, tomato sauce, soy sauce ... some of the drips sat overnight ... and no stains. I can't urge you strongly enough to get a good sized sample of the honed marble, seal it and then abuse it. Drip some lemon juice on it so that you'll know what etching looks like and whether or not you can tolerate it. Good luck! Erika
...See More
Visible honing swirls on honed marble
Q
Comments (5)
I have a honed carrera marble countertop in my bathroom. Absolutely no swirl marks or man made marks of any kind. In the Stone Information and Advice thread, it specifically says the following. "Surface finish: The finish - be it polished, honed, flamed antiqued, or brushed, should be even. There should be no spots that have obvious machine marks, scratches, or other man made marks. You can judge by the crystal and vein pattern of the stone if the marks you see are man-made or naturally occurring. It is true that not all minerals will finish evenly and if you look at an angle on a polished slab with a larger crystal pattern, you can clearly see this. Tropic Brown would be a good example here. The black spots will not polish near as shiny as the brown ones and this will be very obvious on an unresined slab when looking at an acute angle against the light. The black specks will show as duller marks. The slab will feel smooth and appear shiny if seen from above, though. This effect will not be as pronounced on a resined slab. Bottom line when judging the quality of a surface finish: Look for unnatural appearing marks. If there are any on the face of the slab, it is not desirable. They might well be on the extreme edges, but this is normal and a result of the slab manufacturing process. "
...See More
honed marble counters w/polished marble back splash?
Q
Comments (9)
Hi Kateskouros, I think it's a lovely idea as the honed tends to lose some of it's drama of the veining and the backsplash would be a great place to show it off! I think I saw early pics of your slabs and they are beautiful! One thing to think about, our polished countertops have been in now for 5 months and still look fabulous, even have stood up to spills that I thought it wouldn't. Now, we have an etch or two, but they are small and nearly impossible to find. We used a polished marble backsplash tile - Thassos and I put a different sealer on it than is on the counters. Remember, on the backsplash, you can use something that is more durable and not necessarily food safe because you aren't going to prepare your food right on it. The sealer we used sits a bit on the surface, I would not have liked on the counters because it takes away a bit of the glorious marble feel. I don't care on the backsplash a bit and it makes everything wipe off beautifully! As for stains or etching on the backsplash, we don't have either. Good luck! I can't wait to see your end result because so far your selections sound lovely!
...See More
boxerpups
13 years ago
Oh dear, I am an idiot. You said MARBLE. Lame brain
here. What the heck is going on with me?
To many Easter eggs on my brain?
Senior moment ???? but I am still a freshman!!!!

I am not sure if you can use alcohol on honed marble.
I think you can but now I am concerned that I just blew
it. Don't do it. Wait...

Here is what I did find.

GW cleaning Marble
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg042321386750.html

From Marble Care
........." Marble is a calcareous stone which is composed mainly of calcium carbonate. It is sensitive to acidic cleaning products and frequently requires different cleaning procedures than siliceous (Granite) stone. What may work on siliceous stone may not be suitable on calcareous surfaces. Marble is a softer stone than granite and will scratch and stain more than granite. Not all marbles are composed equally, meaning some marbles contain more talc than others therefore are softer. A honed finish (where the marble polish has been removed) is more susceptible to scratching and staining due to the open pores of the stone. Honed Marble counters should be sealed with a stone impregnator sealant......."

Apartment Therapy
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/good-questions/good-questions-why-not-do-white-marble-kitchen-countertops-008987

I am hoping a far more clever, intelligent soul will
chime in to help you.
~boxerpups
(if I had a tail it would be hanging low)

Here is a link that might be useful: Cleaning honed marble
cat_mom
13 years ago
I believe you CAN use alcohol-water spray on marble (FWIW, I add lavender essential oil to mine). It is PH neutral--or close to it, and is safe for use on natural stone (incl marble) according to some of the stone people with whom I'd spoken last year (when looking for a marble/travertine-safe cleaner that would also kill germs).

I use it on our granite and on our SS appliances and sink, and it works great!
boxerpups
13 years ago
Catmom,
You are making me feel better.
You are always so sweet.
I love the scented homemade stuff too.
~boxerpups
cat_mom
13 years ago
Right back at ya boxerpups! OOO!

Related Stories

HOUSEKEEPING How to Clean Marble Countertops and Tile

By Bonnie McCarthy

Acidic solutions can damage your marble surfaces. Here’s how to keep marble looking clean and amazing

KITCHEN DESIGN Using White Marble: Hot Debate Over a Classic Beauty

By Beth Dotolo, ASID, RID, NCIDQ

Do you love perfection or patina? Here's how to see if marble's right for you

REMODELING GUIDES Carrara vs. Calacatta Marble: What Is the Difference?

By Debbie Snider

The answer is in the color and veining of these popular Italian marbles

REMODELING GUIDES Why Marble Might Be Wrong for Your Bathroom

By By Any Design Ltd.

You love its beauty and instant high-quality appeal, but bathroom marble has its drawbacks. Here's what to know before you buy

SHOP HOUZZ Shop Houzz: The Marble Bathroom

Marble possesses beauty and brawn in the modern bath

MATERIALS 10 Modern Marble Looks

By Shawn Gauthier

Marble has broken free of the standard kitchen countertop slab and is showing up on bathtub backsplashes, modern dining tables and more

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen Counters: Elegant, Timeless Marble

By Ivon Street Studio

Ever classic and with unrivaled beauty, marble countertops bespeak quiet luxury in the kitchen — with a few caveats

KITCHEN DESIGN Great Material: Milky Marble

By Natalie Myers

How to add a little or a lot of beautiful white marble to your kitchen, bath and more

BATHROOM DESIGN Bathroom Workbook: 7 Natural Stones With Enduring Beauty

By Shana Ecker Home Stylist

Not everyone wants a marble bath. Bring organic warmth to counters, walls or floors with these hard-wearing alternatives

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen of the Week: Classic Style for a Southern Belle

By Vanessa Brunner

Marble counters, white finishes and even a pair of chandeliers give this South Carolina kitchen a timeless feel

Sponsored

Dave Fox Design Build Remodelers

49 Reviews

Columbus Area's Luxury Design Build Firm | 17x Best of Houzz Winner!

More Discussions

Nuage Quartzite - any water issues?

14

Kitchen remodel in my future

9

Two tier drawer in 3 stack

11

Removing Kitchen Backsplash

4

MSI Quartz Anyone?

1