Marble is metamorphic limestone composed primarily of calcium carbonate. It is naturally porous, which means it can absorb liquids and stain over time. It is also softer than granite and can scratch or etch when exposed to acidic substances like citrus, vinegar, or wine.

That said, marble is solid stone. Nothing rusts. Nothing rots. Nothing decays. These sculptures have stood outdoors in temple courtyards for centuries. With a little common sense, yours will do the same.

Some of our marble statues are finished with protective lacquer. Others are left in their natural, porous form to develop a beautiful patina over time. Both are wonderful — they simply age differently.

Knowing your marble type helps you understand what to expect over time — how it ages, how to clean it, and where it can live happily.

Outdoor & Indoor Marble

Indoor Marble

Your statue's finish affects how it looks over time and how you clean it.

Polished

High-gloss mirror-like shine. Shows veining and colors beautifully. Most common finish on our statues.

Honed

Matte or satin finish. More forgiving of minor surface marks. Less common but very elegant.

Lacquered

Clear protective coating already applied. No further treatment needed. Makes cleaning easier — most things simply wipe off.

Painted

Traditional temple colors hand-painted onto white marble. Durable and beautiful — fading over decades outdoors is considered authentic temple patina.

White marble is built for the outdoors. The other varieties are happiest inside. That's really all you need to know — but the table below has the full breakdown.

Marble needs very little from you day to day. Dust it when it looks dusty. That's about it.

Handling

• Marble is heavy — get help lifting large pieces
• Lift from the base, not from delicate carved parts
• Black marble is the softest — handle with extra care

Dusting

• Dust with a soft, dry microfiber cloth or soft duster when it looks dusty
• Use a soft brush for detailed carving
• For lacquered marble: dust gently to avoid scratching the coating

Outdoor White Marble

• Full sun or shade both work fine
• Place on a stone base, concrete pad, or directly on ground
• Ensure stable, level placement
• Rain, frost, and snow are not a problem — these stones were made for it
• Embrace the natural aging and patina as it develops

Indoor Marble (Black, Tmor Keo Spong, Lacquered)

• Any interior location works
• Keep away from acidic substances (citrus, wine, vinegar)
• Avoid high-traffic areas where black marble might be scratched
• Beautiful for altars, shelves, and meditation spaces

The cleaning approach depends on whether your marble lives outdoors or indoors. Outdoor white marble is easy — Kyle demonstrates exactly how in the video below. Indoor marbles need even less: just a dry cloth.

Outdoor White Marble — Kyle's Method

Mild dish soap, warm water, a soft rag, and a brush for the crevices. That's all it takes. Kyle walks through the whole process in this short video:

Kyle demonstrates how to clean outdoor white marble using mild dish soap, warm water, a soft rag, and a brush for crevices.

1. 1Rinse with garden hose to remove loose dirt and debris
2. 2Mix a small amount of mild dish soap into warm water
3. 3Wipe down with a soft rag, using a brush for carved crevices
4. 4Rinse thoroughly with hose
5. 5Let air dry naturally

How often? Whenever you feel like it. Once or twice a year is plenty for most people. If moss or dirt builds up, clean it. If it looks fine, leave it.

Indoor Marble — Black Marble, Tmor Keo Spong & Lacquered

These marbles are softer and more porous — they should not get wet. No water, no soap, no cleaning products. All they need is a dry cloth.

• Use a dry microfiber cloth or soft duster
• For carved details, a soft dry brush works well
• That's it — no water, no products needed

Stains happen. The key is to act quickly — the longer something sits, the deeper it penetrates. These methods apply to outdoor white marble and unlacquered pieces. For black marble or Tmor Keo Spong, use the dry-cloth method only.

Oil-Based Stains (oil, grease)

1. 1Mix baking soda with water to make a thick paste (peanut butter consistency)
2. 2Apply a 1/4” thick layer over the stain
3. 3Cover with plastic wrap and tape down the edges
4. 4Let sit 24–48 hours
5. 5Remove paste, rinse with water, dry thoroughly. Repeat if needed.

Organic Stains (flowers, leaves, coffee, tea, pollen)

1. 1Mix hydrogen peroxide (12%) with a few drops of ammonia
2. 2Apply to the stain with a cloth and let sit 15–20 minutes
3. 3Rinse thoroughly with clean water and dry completely. Repeat if needed.

Water Stains / Rings (Polished White Marble)

1. 1Buff very gently with 0000 steel wool (extremely fine grade) or marble polishing powder
2. 2Rub in small circular motions, then buff with a soft dry cloth

What is etching? When acidic substances contact marble, they chemically dissolve the polished surface, creating dull spots. This is the one form of damage that cannot simply be rinsed away.

Minor Etching on White Marble

1. 1Apply marble polishing powder to a damp cloth
2. 2Rub gently in circular motion on the dull spot
3. 3Buff with a clean dry cloth. Repeat as needed.

White Marble — Makrana, Jaipur, Vietnamese & Cambodian

• Built for the outdoors — freeze/thaw resistant, all-weather
• Will develop a golden/cream patina from natural iron oxidation — this is beautiful, not damage
• Low maintenance; clean when you feel like it with mild soap and water
• Painted versions: paint may fade gracefully outdoors over decades

Black Marble — India

• Indoors only — too soft and porous for outdoor elements
• Clean only with a dry soft cloth — no water, no products
• Keep away from all acidic substances (citrus, wine, vinegar)
• Stunning for indoor altars; shows dust easily so dust frequently

Tmor Keo Spong — Lacquered

• Indoors only for best color preservation
• Protective lacquer already applied — no sealing or treatment needed
• Clean with a barely damp cloth; most marks wipe right off
• Lacquer may gradually wear in high-contact areas over many years; can be professionally reapplied

Tmor Keo Spong — Unlacquered

• Indoors only for best color preservation
• Clean only with a dry soft cloth
• More porous — keep away from water and acids
• Develops a natural patina beautifully over time
• If you'd like extra protection, a penetrating stone sealer can be applied — but it's entirely optional

Painted White Marble

• Base marble is weather-resistant; suitable for indoor or outdoor placement
• Traditional temple paint is durable; some fading over decades is considered authentic patina
• Clean gently with plain water only on painted areas — no soap on the paint
• Indoor placement preserves paint colors longest

Natural Yellowing (White Marble)

White marble contains trace iron that oxidizes over time, gradually developing golden and ivory tones. This is the same process that gives the Taj Mahal its warm glow. It is not damage — it is the stone aging the way it always has. Many collectors consider the aged ivory color more beautiful than the original white. If you prefer a whiter appearance, clean with mild soap and water periodically. It will yellow again, and that is fine.

Moss & Lichen

May grow in shaded, moist areas. Completely harmless. Adds aged character. Easily removed with mild soap and a brush if you prefer it clean. Many people love the ancient temple look.

Freeze/Thaw

Our outdoor white marbles (Makrana, Vietnamese, Cambodian) are freeze/thaw resistant and safe for year-round placement in all climates, including harsh winters.

Placement Tips

• Place on a stone base, concrete pad, or directly on the ground
• Full sun or shade both work fine
• Ensure stable, level placement
• Good drainage means no prolonged standing water at the base
• Expect and embrace natural aging

For Black Marble

• Any interior location works — bedroom, meditation room, living room altar
• Keep away from kitchen and dining areas where acidic foods are present
• Dust frequently with a dry cloth (shows dust easily)
• No water, no products — a dry cloth is all it needs

For Tmor Keo Spong (Lacquered & Unlacquered)

• Any indoor location
• Keep away from acidic substances
• Lacquered: barely damp cloth is fine for surface marks
• Unlacquered: dry cloth only
• Dust regularly; these marbles reward gentle care

For All Indoor Marble

• Avoid placing drinks directly on the marble surface
• Use coasters and placemats if needed
• Keep away from acidic substances
• Dust regularly with a soft cloth

Water Offerings

• Outdoor white marble: Pouring water directly is completely fine — the stone is designed to handle rain. A separate bowl also works.
• Black marble & Tmor Keo Spong: Use a separate bowl. These marbles should not get wet.
• Lacquered marble: Water beads off, so it won't absorb. A separate bowl is still nice to keep the surface dry.

Oil Anointing

• Oil will darken unlacquered marble over time — this can be part of the ritual patina, or you can wipe off excess immediately
• Black marble is very absorbent — a separate bowl is recommended
• Lacquered marble: oil simply wipes off

Incense

• Safe for all marble types
• Ash brushes off easily; smoke residue wipes off with a damp cloth on white marble

Flowers

• Keep flowers in separate vases (pollen can stain unlacquered marble)
• Remove wilted flowers promptly
• Outdoor white marble: flowers can rest directly on the stone, clean occasionally

Kumkum / Sindoor (Red Powder)

• Will stain unlacquered marble, especially black and Tmor Keo Spong
• Can become part of the ritual patina — many devotees embrace this
• Lacquered marble is easier to wipe clean afterward
• For outdoor white marble: becomes part of its aged character over time

The core message here is simple: these are solid stone sculptures. They do not require a maintenance schedule. Place it, enjoy it, clean it when you feel like it. The rest takes care of itself.

Outdoor White Marble

• Designed to last centuries outdoors — like the temple sculptures they were inspired by
• Clean with mild soap and water whenever it looks like it needs it
• Let the natural patina develop — it's part of the beauty
• If you'd like extra stain resistance, a penetrating stone sealer can be applied, but most outdoor white marble needs nothing

Indoor Black Marble

• Dust regularly with a dry cloth
• Keep away from all acids and water
• Keep in a low-traffic area to avoid scratching
• If you notice staining, a penetrating stone sealer applied carefully can help — entirely optional

Tmor Keo Spong

• Lacquered: check lacquer condition occasionally; can be professionally reapplied if needed
• Unlacquered: dust regularly, keep away from water and acids
• Document how the color evolves — each piece ages uniquely

Painted Marble

• Accept the aging paint as authentic patina, or have it professionally touched up
• Indoor placement preserves paint colors indefinitely

Moving & Shipping

• Marble is heavy — always get help lifting
• Wrap in thick bubble wrap and moving blankets
• Protect carved details with extra padding
• Mark fragile and heavy; insure valuable pieces
• Black marble is the most fragile — give it extra padding

Scratches

Minor surface scratches on polished marble can sometimes be reduced with marble polishing powder on a damp cloth, rubbed gently in circular motions. Deep scratches need professional re-polishing with diamond abrasives.

Chips

• Small chips: fill with color-matched marble epoxy, smooth, and let cure. May need light buffing when dry.
• Keep any broken piece — it helps with color matching
• Large chips: professional restoration is recommended

Cracks

• Hairline cracks: usually cosmetic, can be left as-is
• Growing cracks: may need professional pinning or filling
• Structural cracks: consult a marble conservator