Marble is susceptible to chips or stains, as it is a softer stone, it’s also susceptible to etching, meaning that any acids (lemon juice, tomato juice, wine) that is not cleaned right way, may etch the surface of the stone making it dull.
If it is a honed or leather finish the etching is masked within the surface. On a polished finish once the etching is overwhelming after years of use, the entire surface can be repolished bringing it back to its original beauty.

Marble is very commonly chosen for bathrooms, vanities, or home decoration. It can be used for kitchen islands and countertops, of course, as long as the homeowners understand the care and maintenance that go into a marble countertop. Don’t let a wine spill or slice of lemon sit, and prepare yourself emotionally to see a few scratches or a little patina develop over the years.

Marble is a limestone and it does not tolerate any kind of acid. To protect the marble surface against grease and dirt, we recommend to saturate the surface before putting it to use. Polished surfaces are best treated with acid-free wax.

MarbleFor ongoing caretaking of your honed (mat) marble table, we recommend cleaning it with a neutral soap. DO NOT use marble oil for honed (mat) marble.

• DO clean up spills immediately to minimize damage to your stone.
• DO use trivets or mats under hot dishes and cookware.
• DO use place mats under china, ceramics, silver and other objects that can scratch the stone's surface.
• DO use coasters under glasses, especially if they contain alcohol or citrus juices.
• DON'T wait to clean up spills on stone.
• DON'T use cleaners that contain acid such as bathroom cleaners, grout cleaners or tub cleaners.
• DON'T use vinegar, bleach, ammonia or other general-purpose cleaners.
• DON'T use abrasive cleaners such as dry cleansers or soft cleansers.
• DON'T use alkaline cleaners not specifically formulated for stone.
• DON'T use scouring powders and abrasives because they will scratch the surface.
• DON'T Place toiletry products directly on the countertop surface.

Marble tabletops:

• Preventing stains and etching
• Daily cleaning and maintenance

Marble is basically a rock and thus a natural product.

Metamorphic rock, having been subject to tremendous heat and pressure to the point where various fossilised materials, along with the original limestone and sundry minerals, have become crystallised.

This naturally decorative material is characterised by vein-like patterns which vary depending on which minerals, and which quantities of those minerals, were present during the crystallisation of the original limestone parent rock. These patterns offer the unique appearance known to many, as well as the rich range of colours that are some of the most vibrant available in any natural stone.

This process also means that even a polished marble surface will have small imperfections. 

Marble is a porous rock and will show wear as time passes.

Marble will be etched if it comes in contact with acid liquids, including soft drinks and juice. 

Marble absorbs oils and other liquids and will become stained if coloured liquids are spilled and left on a marble surface.

1) Prevention 

Before you start using your table, we recommend to treat the surface with a protective sealer. The sealer fills in the pores and repels spills on the surface, allowing you time to completely wipe it away. 

Sealing helps to prevent stains from coloured liquids but it is no guarantee.

Red wine, coffee or tomato sauce (as obvious examples) will easily stain a white marble plate.

Furthermore, sealing does not prevent etching (see below).

We recommend to use Vaseline oil for the sealing process. However, many different products exist for this purpose.

2) When in use

Etching:

All liquids –in particular acid liquids –should be removed from the surface as quickly as possible. The best method is to use a sponge so as to avoid spreading the liquid on the surface.

All acid liquids will etch the surface. Etching will be most visible on polished marble (shiny surface) since the etching eats away the polish.

Even water can leave marks on a marble table top. Water contains minerals that will be left in the marble in case water is left on the top (e.g. water rings if humid cups and glasses are left directly on the marble.
Hot items should not be left directly on the marble surface, in particular if the marble surface has been sealed.

3) Cleaning a marble table top

It is recommended to clean the table top with a dissolution of PH-neutral soap. After the cleaning, the table should be wiped dry with dry cloth.

4) If you damage the marble top (stains or etching)

If the table top has been damaged, we recommend to ask an expert for advice. The best action depends on the colour of the marble and the nature of the damage (stain or etching) and the substance that has damaged the table.

Marble Furniture Warranty

One (1) Year Limited Warranty
MARBLE TOP

For a period of one (1) year from the delivery date, this warranty does not cover any natural variations or inconsistencies in colour shades, pattern (veins), fine crack lines (fissures) and other natural imperfections inherent to the marble; these characteristics are not to be considered defects. The actual product may differ slightly from the sample piece as no two pieces of marble are the same. Nature’s own imperfections such as random mineral streaking and colour variation should be expected and are not warranted.

Due to the nature of marble as a material, stains may occur when the material is brought into contact with overly acidic/alkaline substances - this is considered damage induced by the Customer, and not covered under this warranty. This warranty also does not cover water condensation marks and food stains due to Customer's negligence. Our marble/granite furniture pieces are meant for indoor use only, and any misuse of chemical treatments or protective coatings voids all warranties of Zest Livings.

TABLE BASE

Zest Livings warrants the table base against damage and breakage for 1 year. Abrasive scratches disturbing the finish and resulting in rust or tarnishing are not covered.