Written by the Stonage Interiors stone specialists.
A natural stone dining table is one of the few pieces of furniture built to genuinely last a lifetime — and often several. Marble and travertine have been used in flooring, worktops and furniture for thousands of years precisely because solid stone doesn't wear out the way engineered materials do. But "durable" doesn't mean "maintenance-free": both stones are porous to some degree, both can be etched by acidic liquids, and both benefit from a simple, consistent care routine rather than intensive occasional cleaning. The good news is that caring for a stone dining table is straightforward once you know the handful of things to avoid. This guide covers daily cleaning, sealing, spill management and what not to use on your table, whether it's finished in Verde Alpi, Red Travertine, or any other finish across our dining table range.
Daily Cleaning
For everyday cleaning, a soft cloth with warm water and a small amount of pH-neutral soap is all a stone table needs. Avoid all-purpose sprays, as many contain acidic or abrasive ingredients that dull the polish over time. Wipe with the grain of any veining rather than in circles, and dry the surface afterwards rather than leaving it to air dry, which can leave mineral deposits from tap water.
Sealing & How Often
Sealing fills the microscopic pores in the stone's surface, making it far more resistant to staining. Most natural stone dining tables benefit from resealing roughly once or twice a year, though travertine, being more porous, often needs it slightly more frequently than denser marbles. A simple water test tells you when it's due: if water no longer beads on the surface and instead soaks in within a minute or two, it's time to reseal.
Preventing Etching & Staining
Etching happens when an acidic substance — wine, lemon juice, vinegar, tomato sauce — reacts with the calcium carbonate in the stone, leaving a dull mark even after the spill is wiped away. Etching is a chemical change to the surface, not dirt, so it can't simply be cleaned off. The best prevention is using placemats and coasters for anything acidic, and wiping spills up as they happen rather than after a meal.
Dealing With Spills Immediately
Blot spills rather than wiping them outward, which can spread the liquid over a larger area. For wine, oil or sauce, a quick blot with a dry cloth followed by a wipe with warm water and mild soap is usually enough to prevent any lasting mark, provided it's done promptly rather than left to sit.
What to Avoid
Avoid vinegar, lemon-based cleaners, bleach, ammonia and any abrasive scouring pads — all of which can etch or scratch the surface. Steer clear of "multi-surface" sprays unless they're explicitly labelled safe for natural stone, since many household cleaners are formulated for tile or laminate and are too acidic for marble or travertine.
Professional Restoration
Light etching and dulling can usually be corrected with a professional polish, which removes a very thin layer of the surface to reveal fresh stone beneath. This isn't a job for DIY abrasives or polish kits not designed for natural stone — if a table has visible etching or scratching, a professional stone restorer can usually bring it back close to its original finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use vinegar on marble or travertine?
No — vinegar is acidic and will etch both marble and travertine, leaving a dull mark on the surface. Stick to pH-neutral soap and warm water.
How often should a stone dining table be resealed?
Most tables benefit from resealing once or twice a year, though this varies by stone type and how often the table is used. A simple water-bead test will tell you when it's due.
Does marble scratch easily?
Marble is reasonably hard but not scratch-proof. Everyday use rarely causes visible scratching, but sharp objects dragged across the surface, or abrasive cleaning pads, can mark it.
Can etching be removed from a marble table?
Light etching can often be buffed out with a specialist marble polish, and more significant etching can be corrected by a professional stone restorer.
For finish-specific care advice, our Materials & Stone Care page covers sealing schedules and product recommendations by stone type, or get in touch with our team.