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Cleaning Cultured MarbleCleaning cultured marble is very easy, but you do need to know how to do it, otherwise you could ruin your top. Because cultured marble, cultured granite, and cultured onyx are usually manufactured with a high-gloss coating or "gel coat", you want to make sure you don't ruin that gloss. The first and most important rule is NEVER use anything abrasive (cleansers, scouring pads, steel wool, etc.) when cleaning cultured marble. It will leave scratches that only a professional can take out, if they can be taken out. YOU'LL FIND CULTURED MARBLE USED AS:
KEEPING YOUR SHOWER OR WHIRLPOOL CLEAN You can keep hard water deposits at bay if you squeegee your cultured marble shower base or surround after each shower. This sort of eliminates the need for actually cleaning cultured marble, but it can be a pain to do every day. If hard water deposits do accumulate on your cultured marble, you can get rid of them. An easy and inexpensive way is to put some white vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray the vinegar on the cultured marble. Wait 45 minutes to an hour, then rise off with clear water. You can use a sponge or rag to help clean off the hard water deposits, but make sure that your cloth is soft (remember, no abrasives) and that the cultured marble is wet while you are cleaning it. When cleaning cultured marble, NEVER clean when the marble is dry. Make sure it is always wet while you are cleaning cultured marble, or it will scratch. If the hard water deposits don't come off the first time, you'll need to repeat the process. You can also try an all purpose liquid cleaner, but make sure it is not harsh or abrasive. CLEANING CULTURED MARBLE VANITY TOPS Spray your countertop with an all purpose liquid cleaner (remember nothing harsh or abrasive). Then wipe down with a soft, damp cloth. Remember you need to always keep cultured marble, cultured granite, or cultured onyx wet while cleaning it. FOR THOSE HARD TO CLEAN STAINS Things like paint, residue from hairspray, or difficult stains may require something harsher than an all purpose liquid cleaner when cleaning cultured marble. You can use turpentine, denatured alcohol, or paint thinner to remove some of these stubborn stains. I would suggest trying the turpentine, thinner, and the like on an inconspicuous part of the cultured marble just to be sure you aren't going to hurt the finish (like on an edge) or double check with a cultured marble manufacturer that it's okay to use these products on their product. Also, make sure that turpentine, thinner and the like don't touch anything plastic on your cultured marble, like the finish on some spa or faucet components. If your home has been having some construction work done, and some plaster has gotten on your cultured marble, you can get it off. Most all types of sheet rocking plasters will be water soluble. Just keep gently rubbing the spot with a damp rag. If that doesn't work, you can very gently use a flat wooden edge (like from a shim) to gently scrape the plaster off, then wash with a mild cleaner. Again, never use anything abrasive like steel brushes, steel wool, or metal tools on cultured marble. WHEN YOUR CULTURED MARBLE HAS LOST IT'S SHINE Apply car wax or countertop wax and buff out. Again, make sure you use a soft cloth to do this. Some products, like Countertop Magic, work well to restore shine and luster, not only to cultured marble tops but to laminate tops as well. You can also ask your cultured marble supplier for recommendations for waxes to use, but really, car wax or countertop wax works just as well as most of these specialty waxes that will cost you more. Follow these simple rules and guidelines and you'll have great looking cultured marble for years to come. And remember - HAVE A HAPPY KITCHEN - AND BATH!!!! Return to Cultured Marble Countertops from our Cleaning Cultured Marble page.
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