How to remove stains from marble? Care for marble surfaces can be complex. There is a lot of misinformation floating around the internet and in business regarding how to properly care for marble (granite, travertine, etc.).
Even though it’s easy to clean, marble isn’t as strong as granite. Its beautiful surface needs to be repaired and maintained by someone with a lot of experience.
What's inside
What causes stains on marble?
A variety of common stains can accumulate on marble worktops and other marble surfaces. This guide from Spotless Choice will talk about the top 8 most common stains on marble. Some examples of these discolorations are:
- Stains caused by oil
- Smelly odors and stains
- The effects of rust on the surface
- Spots of water
- Spots of mold
- Stains from ink
- Carved Symbols
- Flaking paint
- Stains caused by oil
Many everyday household items, such as cooking oil, grease, milk, butter, hand lotion, etc., can leave oil-based stains. Commonly, these discolorations will be a pale shade of brown or yellow.
Smelly odors and stains
Organic is one of the most common stain types on marble. A typical example is a residue that various domestic items leave behind, such as coffee cup rings. The stains can range in color from light to dark brown.
Rust on the surface
A few examples of things that can leave rust stains on your marble surfaces are nails, screws, and metal cans. Stains from rust tend to be a coppery brown.
Spots of water
Another prevalent type of stain on marble is water damage. These spots can be caused by hard water buildup around sinks and showers or by a water glass left on a marble countertop for too long.
Spots of mold
The presence of mold in bathrooms is an all-too-common issue. Marble in bathrooms (counters, floors, etc.) can become discolored if mold is present.
Stains from ink
The ink can leave a permanent mark on marble countertops and other surfaces. Pens, highlighters, markers, and even wine can leave behind unsightly ink stains. Most common types of stains contain either water or alcohol.
Carved Symbols
Acidic compounds are one of the marble’s most dangerous enemies. Marble can etch if exposed to acidic liquids such as lemonade, orange juice, or wine. The stain has worn away the surface of the marble, leaving etch scars.
Flaking paint
Finally, marble is vulnerable to paint stains. It’s common for stains to match the original paint color. Depending on the stain’s size, it may be more or less of a hassle to clean it up.
Supplies For Marble Stain Cleaning
- Adhesive Sealant (Food-Safe, If For Use On A Marble Counter)
- Detergent And Water (For Counters)
- Cleaning Tool; A Dust Mop (For Floors)
- Cleaning Liquid With Hydrogen Peroxide And Ammonia
Guidelines for Regular Marble Cleaning
Marble is more susceptible to staining and etching than other typical countertop materials like engineered stone (sometimes advertised simply as “quartz”) or soapstone (a.k.a., light scratching or physical changes to the stone itself).
An essential part of any plan is prevention. You are recommended to protect any marble surfaces in your home every few months.
The Marble Institute claims that sealants make the stone more stain-resistant, giving you time to clean up significant accidents. If you’re using marble in the kitchen, check with the company that supplied it for their recommendations on the best cleaning chemicals.
It is better to be safe than sorry, so purchase some furniture pads and coasters for your marble floors, coffee tables, and other high-traffic surfaces.
Daily maintenance
Warm, soapy water is great for regular maintenance and cleaning up spills right away. Just make sure to rinse well, soak up any water that stands, and dry the surface completely.
Remember that wine and lemon juice (or even cleaners containing vinegar) are like kryptonite to marble, so avoid getting them on the surface if possible. And if there is any leak, clean it up as soon as possible.
When cleaning marble floors, it’s best to start with a dust mop because vacuuming can damage the surface by dragging dirt and sand across it.
It’s possible to clean up a spill immediately (red wine at a dinner party that goes on until 2 in the morning). The Marble Institute says that you can get rid of most food stains by mixing 12% hydrogen peroxide with a few drops of ammonia.
If the stain is set and involves an oily substance like vinaigrette, it should be treated (gently) with a liquid cleaner that contains “household detergent, mineral spirits, or acetone.”
Cleaning Marble of Oil Stains
Corn starch is your best bet when dealing with oil stains on marble.
Oil-based stains are difficult to remove and must be caught immediately. Use cornstarch to remove a fresh oil stain off the marble if you can. Corn starch can remove oil and grease stains from marble surfaces if the stain has not yet had a chance to penetrate the stone.
After applying cornstarch to the wound, you should wait 15 minutes. Marble may be cleaned of corn starch and the resulting discoloration by wiping it off with a damp cloth.
Use a soapy mixture to try to remove the oil stain.
The marble’s natural shine can be dulled by the oil in peanut butter, cosmetics, and creams. There needs to be an attempt made to “pull the oil out of the marble” before any further action can be taken to remove the stains.
Mix a small amount of acetone or ammonia into your liquid dish soap. Apply the soapy solution with a spray bottle and let it stay on the skin for at least 15 minutes.
Paper towels can be used to remove as much of the oil-based stain as possible from the mixture. You can soak up all of the oil with a paper towel, or maybe not.
Remove water stains from marble
In the same vein as oil-based stains, water stains are commonplace on a marble floor. Sometimes you could have a spill of tea, coffee, or wine, and if it’s not cleaned up right away, the color will transfer and create a brown or pink mark.
Fortunately, these marks can be easily removed from marble. Applying a solution of a few drops of ammonia and 12% hydrogen peroxide to a stain is an easy way to clean it. But if your marble floor is on the darker side, you should be careful with the hydrogen peroxide because it may lighten the color of the marble.
Remove yellow stains from marble
Spot-treat stains with a solution made of a cup of 12% hydrogen peroxide and a few drops of ammonia. Since hydrogen peroxide is so light, it shouldn’t harm the marble tiles’ protective seal if appropriately applied.
Because of the peroxide, the yellow stain will be bleached rather than removed. You should be careful when using this method because it could cause more iron to rust and worsen the problem.
Prepare a smooth paste by combining bicarbonate of soda and water. You can apply the paste to the stains and let it sit for 15-30 minutes.
Scrubbing or rubbing with the bicarbonate of soda will leave tiny scratches in the marble’s glossy finish. The bicarbonate of soda will help remove the discoloration from the tile. Numerous iterations of the process will likely be required to achieve the desired outcomes.
If you want to eliminate yellow stains and keep your marble in pristine condition, an alkaline stone or marble cleaner is your best bet. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use. Any hardware store worth its salt should carry the necessary cleaning products.
Yellow spots on white marble floors can be attributed to iron oxidation. However, stains can also be caused by neglect, harmful cleaning methods, or accidents.
Talk to people who know how to take care of marble floors to find out how to protect white marble, keep it from getting stains, and get rid of yellow ones.
Items to Avoid When Trying to Remove a Stain
Avoid doing anything that could harm your marble while removing a stain. To prevent this, you should never use bleach or harsh cleanser on the stain. Any cleaning product with an acidic pH level can be considered harsh. Chemicals in these cleaners might erode the marble’s finish if used too often.
Can Marble Be Kept From Being Stained?
Even though marble is incredibly porous, there is a simple way to reduce the chances of stains: Sealing significantly. You should seal your marble countertop and any other surfaces that you don’t want liquids or stains to get into. This seal will not remain forever, so please do not rely on it. The marble needs to be resealed every few months.
Conclusion
If you take good care of your marble floor, it will look as good as the day you installed it. Even though spills should be avoided at all costs, if they occur on your marble floor, don’t panic. If you follow these simple guidelines, natural stone will retain its beauty, strength, and longevity for decades.
Don’t let the possibility of stains stop you from getting the marble countertops you’ve always wanted for your kitchen. Applying these methods they are relatively easy to handle. Find a trustworthy countertop professional to supply, construct, and install your marble countertops if you’re ready to take the plunge.
