I've been using 7th Generation Disinfecting Bathroom Cleaner in our bathrooms for almost 3 years now. We have White Thassos lining all the niches, and White Thassos mosaic and trim tile in the MB. According to 7th Gen, this cleaner is/was safe for use on sealed natural stone. So far, so good. Marble still looks new. I've also used alcohol-water spray on it safely, but it doesn't do as well at removing soap scum or film. I've heard bleach, and or hydrogen peroxide is safe as well, but I would end up with bleach spots on my clothing or colored towels, so try to avoid those for cleaning. TB cleaner is a big culprit with regards to etching. One droplet on our travertine floor tile, especially the tile in our guest bathroom, even if wiped up immediately, seems to leave its mark.

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

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

Hey 2LittleFishies, I too love marble, but don't much mind the wear patterns it develops. I've been in houses with 60 year old soap stone and find it quite charming. Heck, I've been in houses with 200 year old marble counters - and still find the wear quite charming. My own Victorian has soapstone around the heat registers. They're a little dinged up but quite beautiful in my opinion. I have a large, cutting board, bit of carrara marble that I use to roll out dough - maybe start with that and see where it takes you. Don't know how old your house is but one of the good things about an older home is that nothing is really perfect and if it is perfect it looks rather out of place. So...things look fine when they are a little worn. I remember going to England and staying in a house that was built in the 1400s - wear just means people have come before you and will come after you, it is a good reminder. So get what you like and what you want. If wear patterns and noticeable age on your counters isn't what you want get something else. Remember, even durable things break, pit and fall apart.