A table is there to be lived at. A glass gets knocked over, a cup of coffee drips or oil runs off a board. What do you do on a Mortex table? Here is the honest answer, without promises we cannot keep.
3 min read · Updated 8 November 2026
First, the honest answer
Mortex is a mineral finish, not plastic and not glass. Liquid that is left for a long time can leave a mark. That is especially true of anything acidic, like wine, lemon and vinegar, and anything fatty, like oil and butter. Acting quickly prevents most of it.
That is also why our guarantee says so: stains caused by lack of care are not covered. That is no reason to be afraid of your table. It simply means you do not leave a spilt glass until the next morning.
Red wine
Blot the wine straight away with kitchen paper or a clean cloth. Do not rub, or you will spread it. Then wipe with a soft cloth, slightly damp with plain water, and dry the spot.
Do not experiment with vinegar, soda, lemon or a supermarket stain remover. What works on fabric can actually damage Mortex. Acidic and aggressive products do not belong on the top.
Coffee and tea
Treat spilt coffee or tea just like wine: blot, wipe with a soft, slightly damp cloth, dry. A coaster prevents rings from a wet cup. A hot cup or teapot always goes on a trivet too, because heat and Mortex do not mix. More on that in Can a hot pan go on a Mortex table?
Oil, butter and grease
Fat likes to soak into a surface. So blot oil or butter as quickly as possible, without rubbing, and wipe with a soft, slightly damp cloth. Never scrub with the rough side of a sponge: it makes the spot worse rather than better.
A bottle of olive oil or a bread board with butter is best placed on a small dish or board. That way a drip stays where it belongs.
What to do, what to avoid
Spilt
Do straight away
Better not
Red or white wine
Blot, wipe with a slightly damp cloth, dry
Rubbing, vinegar, stain remover
Coffee or tea
Blot, wipe, use a coaster
Leaving it until it dries
Lemon, vinegar, vinaigrette
Wipe up as fast as you can, then wipe again
Leaving it, because it is acidic
Oil, butter, sauce
Blot without rubbing, wipe with a soft cloth
Scouring pad or harsh cleaner
Prevention: a few small habits
Most marks do not come from an accident, but from something left standing. A few habits make the difference:
A coaster under glasses and cups, especially during drinks or a long dinner.
Placemats or a table runner when you are serving sauce, oil or fruit. Linen and cotton also look beautiful on Mortex.
After the meal, a quick wipe of the top with a soft, slightly damp cloth, then dry it.
A fruit bowl on a foot or a plate, so juice from citrus or ripe fruit does not reach the top.
Still something visible?
Then do not try out all sorts of things. Send us a photo and tell us what was spilt and how long it stayed there. We will look at it with you and tell you honestly what can be done. You also get a care sheet with your delivery, and the full care routine is in Caring for a Mortex table.
And if you love a table that is lived at: small traces of everyday life are part of a handmade table, just as with wood or linen. The pros and cons are set out in A Mortex table: pros and cons, and we answer more questions in our frequently asked questions.
A table in your shape, size and colour? After your quote, we draw it up for free.
