Natural marble is a material built for permanence — the Parthenon has been standing for 2,500 years. But the marble homeware pieces in your home require a degree of ongoing attention to maintain the finish they arrived with. The good news is that with simple, consistent habits, your Artreestry pieces will look exceptional for the rest of your life.

The Daily Habit That Makes the Biggest Difference

The single most effective thing you can do for marble longevity is to dry it immediately after any contact with water or liquids. Not eventually — immediately. Keep a soft microfibre cloth near any marble piece that is in regular contact with liquids (kitchen accessories, bathroom pieces, barware). Wipe and dry as part of the routine of using the piece, not as an afterthought.

Storage: Protecting Marble When Not in Use

Chess sets and game pieces: When not on display, chess pieces should be stored in a fabric bag or individual soft pouches, never loose in a box where they can knock against each other and chip. The chess board should be stored flat, not on its side.

Barware: Wine coolers and champagne chillers should be dried thoroughly inside before storage — trapped moisture can cause water marks on the interior. Bottle coasters and serving accessories can be stacked with a soft cloth between each piece.

Moving and relocation: Wrap each piece individually in bubble wrap or thick cloth. Never stack marble pieces against each other unwrapped. Marble's weight means that even a short drop or a piece falling against another can chip an edge.

Seasonal Care: What to Do Once a Year

Once a year, give your high-use marble pieces a thorough inspection and care session:

• Deep clean with mild pH-neutral soap, rinse, and dry completely
• Re-seal kitchen and bathroom pieces (see our guide on whether marble needs sealing)
• Apply a small amount of marble polishing compound to exterior surfaces to restore surface lustre if needed
• Inspect edges and bases for any chips — a professional stone restorer can fill and polish small chips back to invisibility

Preventing the Most Common Long-Term Problems

Dullness: Usually caused by repeated contact with acidic substances (common kitchen cleaners, fruit juices) or abrasive materials. Prevent by using only pH-neutral cleaners and soft cloths. Restore with marble polishing compound.

Yellowing: Some white and light-coloured marble pieces can yellow slightly over time, particularly if exposed to strong sunlight. Avoid placing white marble pieces in direct sunlight for extended periods. Hydrogen peroxide can lighten surface yellowing on white marble — apply, leave for 10 minutes, rinse, and dry.

Scratching: Fine surface scratches accumulate from abrasive cleaning materials or from sliding marble pieces across hard surfaces. Always lift marble — never slide — and use felt pads on the bases of pieces that sit on wood or glass surfaces.

Felt Pads: A Small Step with a Big Impact

Applying self-adhesive felt pads to the base of every marble piece that sits on a hard surface does two things: it protects your furniture from the weight and roughness of the marble base, and it protects the marble base from the abrasion of the surface beneath it. Available from any hardware or homeware store for a few dollars.

For care instructions specific to each product type, visit our complete Marble Care Guide. Shop our full marble homeware collection — free shipping on orders over $100, and use code ARTREE10 for 10% off your first order.