A finish is a thin layer on top of the stone. Cleaning that is safe on bare marble can destroy paint or lift gold leaf.
Painted surfaces
Wipe with a soft dry cloth only.
Never soak or use running water.
Never use solvents, alcohol or acidic cleaners.
Keep oils and pigments off the painted areas where possible.
Gold leaf
Gold leaf is delicate and can lift at edges. Dust gently with a very soft brush, never a damp cloth, and avoid touching the leafed areas with bare fingers, since skin oils dull it.
Accented finishes
Where only ornaments are accented, treat the accented areas as painted and the body as bare marble — clean each appropriately.
Abhishek and painted deities
Where abhishek is a regular practice, a plain or matte marble idol is preferable. Water on painted or leafed surfaces is a maintenance problem, not a cleaning routine.
Long-term
Painted and leafed finishes can be restored by a workshop, but that is a specialist job. Most damage is preventable simply by keeping the wrong cleaning products away from the shrine.
Frequently asked questions
Can I wash a painted marble murti?
No. Wipe painted surfaces with a soft dry cloth only. Water, solvents and acidic cleaners will damage the paint.
How do I clean gold leaf on a murti?
Dust very gently with a soft dry brush only, and avoid touching the leafed areas with bare fingers, as skin oils dull the finish.
Should I do abhishek on a painted idol?
It is not advisable. Use a plain or matte marble idol for regular abhishek, and keep painted and leafed pieces for dry worship.
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