Care & Maintenance

Marble Care Guide — How to Clean, Protect & Maintain Your Artreestry Pieces

Natural marble and onyx are among the most beautiful materials on earth — and with the right care, they will remain so for generations. This guide covers everything you need to know about cleaning, protecting, and maintaining every type of Artreestry piece.

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The Golden Rules of Marble Care

✦ Always use a soft, non-abrasive cloth — microfibre is ideal
✦ Wipe spills immediately — marble is porous and will absorb liquids
✦ Never use acidic cleaners: no vinegar, lemon juice, or citrus-based products
✦ Never use abrasive scrubbers, steel wool, or scouring pads
✦ Dry marble thoroughly after any contact with water
✦ Never soak marble in water or put it in the dishwasher
By Product Type

Cleaning by Product Type

Marble Mortar & Pestle

For daily use: rinse with warm water and dry immediately with a soft cloth. For deeper cleaning: a small amount of mild dish soap with warm water, applied with a soft cloth, then rinse and dry thoroughly. Do not soak. Do not use in the dishwasher. For seasoning your mortar before first use, grind a tablespoon of white rice to a powder — this removes any stone dust from the manufacturing process.

Marble Chess Sets & Game Boards

The board: wipe with a barely damp microfibre cloth, then dry immediately. Do not use any cleaning products on the board surface. The pieces: wipe individually with a soft dry cloth. Store the pieces in a protective bag or box when not on display to prevent surface contact scratches.

Marble Kitchen Accessories (Coasters, Serving Trays, Cake Stands)

Wipe clean with a soft damp cloth after each use. Dry immediately. For food-contact surfaces, mild dish soap is acceptable — rinse and dry thoroughly. Never leave wet items sitting on marble for extended periods. For serving trays used with foods or liquids, consider applying a food-safe marble sealer annually.

Marble Barware (Wine Coolers, Wine Glasses, Bottle Coasters)

The wine cooler and bottle coaster: wipe inside and out with a soft damp cloth after use. Dry thoroughly, especially the interior. Never soak. Marble wine glasses: hand wash only with a soft cloth and mild soap, rinse carefully, and dry immediately. Never use in the dishwasher.

Marble Office & Desk Accessories (Pen Holders, Bookends, Paperweights)

Dust regularly with a soft dry cloth. For fingerprints and light soiling, a barely damp cloth followed by immediate drying is sufficient. No cleaning products required for office pieces not in contact with food or liquids.

Marble Bathroom Accessories (Soap Dispensers, Toothbrush Holders, Trays)

Wipe down with a soft damp cloth regularly. For soap residue build-up, a small amount of mild, pH-neutral soap on a soft cloth, followed by thorough rinsing and drying. Avoid leaving water pooled in soap dishes or trays — dry after each use.

Marble Home Décor (Candle Holders, Vases, Decorative Objects)

Dust with a soft dry cloth. For wax residue in candle holders: allow wax to cool completely, then gently lift the wax out — never use hot water or a metal implement to remove wax. Wipe with a soft damp cloth if needed.

Handle With Care

What to Absolutely Avoid

  • Acidic substances: Wine, citrus juice, vinegar, tomato, coffee — all etch marble. Clean spills of these immediately.
  • Alkaline cleaners: Bleach and ammonia-based cleaners dull the surface over time.
  • Heat: Do not place hot pots or pans directly on marble. Use a trivet or cloth underneath.
  • Impact: Marble can chip if dropped or struck sharply. Handle with care, especially the thinner pieces like coasters and decorative objects.
  • Dishwasher: The heat, detergent, and water pressure will damage and dull any marble piece. All Artreestry products are hand-wash only.
Long-Term Care

Sealing Your Marble

For high-use kitchen items — serving boards, trays, and coasters — applying a food-safe marble sealer once a year creates an invisible protective barrier that makes the stone more resistant to staining. Apply a thin coat with a soft cloth, allow to penetrate for 10 minutes, then buff off any excess. Allow to cure for 24 hours before use. Sealer is available at most hardware or kitchen supply stores.

Restoring the Polish

Over years of use, marble surfaces may develop light surface scratches or a slight dullness. A professional marble polishing compound — available online — applied with a soft cloth in circular motions can restore much of the original shine. For deep scratches or significant etching, a professional stone restoration service will produce the best result.

Storing Your Marble Pieces

When not in use or during moving: wrap individual pieces in soft cloth or bubble wrap. Never stack marble pieces directly on top of each other without padding between them. Store chess pieces individually or in a fabric bag to prevent surface contact.

Questions?

Contact our team at info@artreestry.com and we will help. We respond within 24 hours. For product questions before purchase, visit our full collection or Marble Color Guide. Use code ARTREE10 for 10% off your first order.

Full Collection Marble Color Guide