How to Care for an Outdoor Marble Tabletop

It's easy to forget about regular maintenance for outdoor furniture. However, with constant exposure to the effects of weather, proper care for an outdoor marble tabletop is even more important than if you kept the table inside. Regular maintenance that includes cleaning, stain removal, and polishing will keep your tabletop looking attractive, even when rain, sleet, and hail work to scratch the surface to a consistent dullness. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Every other day, wipe the tabletop with a soft, water-dampened cloth to remove any loose dirt or debris from the marble surface. Remove tough dirt deposits with a cleaner formulated for use on natural stone surfaces. Dry the tabletop with a second soft cloth to remove any water left on the surface that could cause discoloration.

2

Remove any stains as soon as they occur with a mixture containing 4 parts water to 1 part hydrogen peroxide. Saturate a tissue in the mixture, and then place the tissue onto the stained area for four hours to penetrate the porous marble surface. Wipe up the stain with the tissue after the waiting period. Examine the surface. If the stain remains, repeat the process as necessary until you've removed it from the marble. Wash the tabletop with the stone cleaner after stain removal.

3

Polish the marble after washing to restore the tabletop's glossy finish. Grind a stick of white chalk into powder using a mortar and pestle. Dampen a microfiber cloth with water. Dip the damp cloth into the chalk, and buff the tabletop from the center outward with the cloth. Use small circles when buffing, replacing the chalk as needed to cover the entire tabletop surface. Allow the table to air-dry after buffing, and then wipe the surface of the table with a clean, damp cloth to remove any chalk residue. Go over the tabletop again with a dry cloth to remove any moisture.