How to Clean Marble and Granite Tile

Marble and granite are natural stones, and because they are porous, they are susceptible to stains. Although granite is less porous than most, it still may need occasional stain removal.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Mild neutral detergent
• Warm water
• Lint-free cloth
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Powdered whiting
• Plastic wrap
• Tape
• Rust remover

1. Vacuum the marble or granite floor to remove excess dirt or wipe down the countertops to remove loose food and debris.
2. Mix mild neutral detergent (pH 7) with warm water for daily maintenance cleaning of marble and granite. Make sure you don't use too much water and wring out your mop well because sitting water can cause water spots.
3. Rinse the marble or granite thoroughly with clean water to remove all the detergent.
4. Dry the marble or granite with a lint-free cloth.
5. Mix a 20 percent hydrogen peroxide and 80 percent powdered whiting into a paste similar in consistency to peanut butter. Coat organic stains (tea, coffee, tobacco) on marble or granite with this paste and cover with plastic wrap. Tape around the plastic to seal it and let sit for up to about 48 hours before rinsing with water and wiping dry.
6. Remove rust stains on marble or granite by making a paste of rust remover and powdered whiting. Repeat the method used to remove organic stains in Step 5, except let the mixture set on the granite or marble for about 15 minutes.

Tips & Warnings

• You can get powdered whiting and rust remover at a hardware or paint store.
• Always test a small inconspicuous area before cleaning the entire countertop or floor with a new cleaner to make sure that it will not damage the finish.
• Add a sealer to your natural stone countertops or floors to protect it from stain and damage.
• Cleaners with lemon juice and white vinegar in them should not be used when cleaning marble countertops or floors because they are acids that can strip off the polish on marble.
• Cleaners that are labeled non-streak should not be used on marble because their high alkaline content can dull the finish.

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