Marble and travertine are natural stones with a calcium carbonate base. They are beautiful and durable furniture materials, and they ask for a few simple habits. The same principles apply to both; the guides below go into the detail for each stone.
Daily habits
- Use coasters under glasses, especially those holding wine, spirits or citrus juice, and trivets or mats under hot dishes.
- Blot spills at once with a soft cloth or paper towel instead of wiping, which spreads them. Rinse with water and dry.
- Clean gently with a neutral stone cleaner, or a little mild dish soap in warm water, then rinse and dry with a soft cloth. Too much soap leaves a film.
- Avoid acids and abrasives: vinegar, lemon and many bathroom or kitchen sprays dull the surface of calcium carbonate stones, and scouring powders scratch it.
Stains and etching are different
A stain is a colour that has been absorbed by the stone. An etch is a dull mark where an acid has dissolved a little of the surface. A penetrating sealer can make a stone more resistant to staining, but it does not prevent etching and it does not make the stone stain-proof. For a mark that will not go away, ask a stone professional rather than trying stronger products.
Zellige
Zellige is glazed clay tile, not stone: the advice above is about marble and travertine. The care section of the Zellige page tells you how to look after a zellige top.
Your table
Every piece is different, and the right care also depends on the material and its finish. If you are unsure, ask us: tell us the material and the finish of your piece and what happened.
General guidance, based on the consumer care advice of the Natural Stone Institute. Product-specific instructions come with your piece.