How to Clean a Stain on White Marble

Marble is used for many things in the home, such as countertops, sinks and floors. It is generally a durable material, however, it needs special care when cleaning--especially if it is white marble since stains and yellowing may be more noticeable than colored marbles. Marble should be cleaned weekly and any stains should be taken care of immediately. In addition, occasionally, you may notice your marble beginning to lose its shine, at which time, you will need to have it resealed to make it easier to clean again.

Things You'll Need

• Lint-free Cloths
• Talcum Powder
• Baking Soda
• Water
• Stone Cleaner
• Borax
• Acetone
• Hydrogen Peroxide
• Ammonia

Instructions

1. Blot any spills with a paper towel or rag, especially anything acidic like juice or wine since that can damage and stain the white marble. Then sprinkle baking soda and talcum powder on it so it will soak up any remaining stain. Use a wet rag to rinse.

2. Use the proper stone cleaner to clean up stains. It is best to use a product such as NeutraClean for marble, Stone Plus or a bathroom cleaner designed for marble. Apply the cleaner to the marble and use a lint-free cloth or sponge to wipe it clean. Most products do not need to be rinsed, however, if you are cleaning a cooking surface, you should rinse it with a clean wet rag so it does not contaminate your food. If this process does not completely clean your stain, proceed to the following steps.

3. Use acetone to clean grease stains. Dampen a lint-free cloth with acetone and blot the grease. If the grease is still there, cover the rag with plastic and tape it down with acid-free tape. Allow it sit for an hour. The grease should be gone; if not, repeat the process. Wipe clean with water when finished.

4. To remove ring marks from drinks like coffee, soda or tea, use one-part borax and 30-parts water. Soak a lint-free rag and rub the marks away. Repeat as necessary and use a clean rag and dampen with water to rinse. White marble may be more difficult to clean; therefore, you may need to use one-part water to 15-parts hydrogen peroxide. Pour the solution over the stain and then add three drops of ammonia. Allow it to bubble and quickly remove with clean water. Wipe it dry with a clean rag.

5. Use the stone cleaner or the hydrogen peroxide and ammonia method discussed in Step 4 when your white marble begins to stain an overall yellow color. This is a sign of acid and should be taken care of as soon as you see any color change in your white marble.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not use regular household cleaners as it may contain acid that is difficult to clean.

References

• Marble Care Made Easy
• NY Times: When Red Wine Meets White Marble