If you’ve been to fireplace showrooms in the West Midlands and picked out a marble fireplace, it will look fantastic. But marble is a material that you need to be careful with when you’re cleaning it.

For instance, an article for Reader’s Digest recently revealed that marble should never be cleaned with baking soda. That’s certainly worth knowing given that more and more of us are making our own household cleaning products with ingredients from our cupboards.

Although baking soda won’t do instant damage to a marble surface, it will gradually damage the upper protective layer on the stone. This makes it more susceptible to scratches and other marking in time.

So, how should you care for your marble fireplace to keep it looking at its best? An article for Architectural Digest last month offered some handy hints.

Firstly, you should make sure you regularly apply a sealant to its surface. This will help to prevent damage and make it more resistant to staining. The reason you need a sealant is because marble is more porous than other stones, and therefore can absorb stains which then set if it’s not been treated properly.

If you do spill anything on your fireplace or surround, don’t panic. Get some warm soapy water and rinse the spillage off as soon as you can. Doing this quickly will make a big difference because the longer you leave it, the more likely it is to stain.

And if you notice any light water spots or scratches, you can use steel wool to gently buff the surface and bring it back to its best. Deeper damage than this will need to be tackled by a professional, however, the publication noted.