Marble worktops in Milton Keynes

What to expect from marble

Marble is mostly calcite, a mineral far softer than the quartz and feldspar in granite, and it reacts with acids, so lemon juice, vinegar, wine or tomato left on it can leave a dull patch known as etching, even on sealed stone. Over the years these marks add up to a softened, worn surface. Some owners enjoy that; others can’t stand it. For the marble look without the etching, consider marble-effect quartz or porcelain.

Marble and hard water

Milton Keynes has hard water, so limescale builds up around taps and sinks. Most limescale removers are acidic, and they etch marble. On a marble worktop, dry the stone around the tap after washing up and lift scale with warm water and a soft cloth rather than a descaler. Our hard water guide covers this in more detail.

Honed or polished

A polished finish makes the veining vivid but shows etch marks clearly. A honed, matt surface disguises etch marks far better and feels softer to the touch, so for kitchen worktops it is often the more practical choice. For a bathroom vanity top, where acids are rarer, polished marble is easier to keep looking new.

Sealing

Marble is porous and is sealed after fitting to slow down staining from oil and coloured liquids. Sealing does not stop etching. The sealer wears with cleaning, so it needs renewing from time to time; a quick splash test, where water that darkens the stone means the sealer has worn, tells you when.