Have you recently renovated your East Brunswick, New Jersey home? Two of the most commonly remodeled rooms in a house are the kitchen, the heart and soul of good entertainment, and the bathroom, which can still be beautiful in all its utility. To add charm and elegance to both spaces, many home designers will choose to add marble countertops to vanities and as the main feature of the kitchen decor.

With the cool and calming marble shades above and some of the more daring colors and patterns below, it’s easy to see why so many home designers opt to go for slab or tile marble for their remodeling. Though the list of pros are many, the one key thing to remember about marble countertops is that they do require some maintenance to stay as beautiful as the day they’re installed.

What do marble upkeep and maintenance look like? Some of that depends on whether you have a slab or tile countertops, in addition to the type of stains the surface is exposed to.

Marble is a porous stone, so one of the first and most important steps is to make sure that the counters are properly sealed. With a high-quality sealant, you likely won’t need to reapply it for years. Protecting lighter colored marble may require a little bit of extra effort, as the stone may be prone to color changes more rapidly if it isn’t properly cared for.

Though you may have seen all the home remedy style cleaners going around blogs and daily shows as a non-toxic alternative, anything acidic like vinegar can be highly damaging to the stone. It’s important to select a cleaner that’s specifically made for preserving the marble, or to at least look up alternatives that won’t eat away at the surface over time. Much of the daily cleaning advice revolves around cleaning up spills relatively quickly to avoid them absorbing into the counter. That tomato juice can really do a number on marble if left out for too long.

If you’re having marble tile put in, the only other thing to consider is how to keep the grout clean. Some renovators will opt for a darker colored grout to prevent the dulling of white over time. Others love the look of that bright white grout next to white carrara marble tiles. Either way, regular cleaning is a must.

If you’re ever unsure of how to keep your marble countertops in their best condition, feel free to reach out to a local marble slab and tile distributor in the East Brunswick area.