Marble is a beautiful material for your kitchen or bathroom countertop, sure to spruce up the appearance of the room. However, it also has a reputation for being more vulnerable to damage.

The Stone Cobblers, a company based in West Boylston, Massachusetts, describes marble as a limestone that has mixed with natural elements to give it a distinct color and pattern of veins. Sarah Aguirre, writing for About, says the surface is tolerant of heat and is a good place to roll out dough for baking.

While marble countertops sometimes bear a certain similarity to granite ones, they are much softer and porous. Marble is particularly vulnerable to acidic substances, as they will eat away at the calcium carbonate in the stone. This erosion can cause etching, or dull spots, on the surface.

Honed marble surfaces—often employed for heavily used surfaces such as floors—are treated so that they are already etched, giving them a smoother appearance. Bonnie McCarthy, writing for the home design site Houzz, says acidic substances will not cause further damage to this kind of counterop. However, this surface will also stain more easily because it is more porous.

One way to protect the marble is to give it a quick cleaning every week or so. The Stone Cobblers notes that if debris is not removed from the surface, it can be forced into the stone when you do a deeper clean. Aguirre recommends using a microfiber cloth to dust off the counter.

It is also easy to wipe down the counter with a mixture of soap and water. Faith Durand, writing for the home design site Apartment Therapy, recommends mixing warm water and a tablespoon of non-abrasive dishwashing liquid in a spray bottle. Once this solution has been mixed, spray the counter and wipe it down with a warm, wet washcloth.

Marble can be affected by water spots, so you shouldn't just let the water air dry off the counter. Use a chamois, or shammy cloth, to remove the water.

Since marble is vulnerable to acids, you'll want to avoid any cleaners that might etch the surface. These materials include vinegar, lemon juice, and anything abrasive.

Exercise preventative maintenance by keeping food and liquids from spilling on the counter. Use a cutting board when preparing a meal, and put down coasters before setting down a glass to keep condensation from dripping onto the marble.

Even with these precautions, however, you'll likely experience a spill at some point in your kitchen's lifespan. When this occurs, remove the substance as soon as possible by blotting rather than wiping.

You can also use poultices to try to lift up any stains. McCarthy says these can be pre-mixed or made using baking soda; the substance should have a consistency similar to peanut butter. Apply it in a layer about a quarter-inch to half an inch thick, seal it in with plastic wrap and painter's tape, and let it sit for a day or two. Then remove the covering, allow the poultice to dry, and scrape it away before rinsing off the surface.

Different substances will be more effective on certain stains. The Stone Cobblers suggests mixing rubbing alcohol into the poultice for oil-based stains and using the mixture with acetone or hydrogen peroxide for organic-based stains like coffee or tea.

Marble surfaces in the bathroom are less likely to experience damaging spills, but they can still benefit from a little care. Use a squeegee to wipe moisture off the surface after a shower, and give it an occasional cleaning with an ammonia solution or other non-acidic cleaner to remove soap scum. McCarthy says you should be careful not to do this cleaning too frequently, as it can dull the stone.

Polishing the marble will give it a nice shine, but a sealant is necessary for added protection. This coating will resist moisture and spills, reducing the possibility of stains. McCarthy says a spray sealant may need to be applied once a month, but The Stone Cobblers says some sealants will last for a year or more. No matter which one you choose, make sure it is non-toxic if you plan to use the surface for food preparation.

If the surface becomes scratched, you can try removing it with coarse sandpaper. Deeper scratches require more care to prevent damage, so you should check with a professional on how to treat them.