dining table with marble top -- experiences/ tips?

[rln]

We just got a table that we love, white marble top. We will be sealing it.
We plan to use this table every day and don't want to be stressed about taking care of it. We can live with it not being perfect--- (do you hear me trying to convince myself??)

Would appreciate any tips from people using a marble table. I know to be careful about putting hot things on it and sharp things.

Thanks for the help!

[Karl S]

It is not the custom in the US to tip marble tops.

[LJBTampa]

Really it depends on the level of service the marble provides. :-)

[MakingSense]

I have several pieces of antiques furniture with marble tops, some of which had been left outside for years.
None of them have "stains." They all have "character."
What's the difference?
Your attitude.
If you get upset about every,little water ring or spot, you're going to make yourself nuts. Relax. Sooner or later, the marble will acquire patina and look much better than new marble.
The stuff is used for floors in public buildings and people walk on it and it wears away on the edges of steps or on balustrades where thousands of hands have touched it. There's even a place in one of the corridors of the US Capitol Building where you can still see the blood from the fight between two Members of Congress - and you thought things were rough now???
Marble tells stories. Let it.

It will break from sudden extreme temperature changes or from heavy blows. The edges are the most likely to chip.
I use placemats to keep food from cooling off too quickly.
I don't let anything corrosive - like a potted plant - sit on it without a drip tray for long periods of time.
Other than common sense, it's an easy and wonderful material.
Other than that, I don't worry about

[LorrieB]

You know what? THANK YOU! That is all I can say is thank you. I am due to have my carrera marble countertops installed in two days - I am so tired of all the warnings about how it stains, how it chips, etc. etc. I had granite before and I took care of it and I found that it might not have stained or chipped but always looked 'smeary' to me unless I pulled out a special granite cleaner. I think all of these surfaces are not without their ''issues.'' My friend has soapstone and she hates it because it is dull after a few years, so she oils it but that doesn't do much as soon as you wipe it off or wash it, it's back to dull and opaque. Even a concrete countertop would probably chip over time, but I love your story about the Capitol building and the enduring beauty of marble. I will buy cleaners! I will protect it! But most of all, I will enjoy it, as I've wanted it my whole life and I am 62!

[CocoDan]

A cleaning product called Bartender's Friend, cleans marble very nicely. As for the wine stains, I think they add to the overall look of the marble. Some call it character.
Enjoy your marble top by using it .
CocoDan

[jillp]

And watch out for wine.

[pinstripeprincess]

or anything else acidic for that matter... citrus, vinegar.. etc.

[smartie]

and wet things - use coasters or you may have trouble getting rings off.

[rln]

Oh, I learned this -- terrible!

But wanted to thank everyone. Feels like a support group.
I just had 8 people over for my bookclub, served enchiladas, had a great time.
Strangely enough, it was pieces of rice that left some color that mostly came out. I also had beers in bottles, didn't have coasters and saw a ring..

Learning but enjoyed the table immensely! Thanks!