Marble is natural stone and no two pieces are exactly alike. This means that when you order more than one of our items featuring marble, you may notice variations in the color, veining, and texture making each piece distinct. While we strive for consistency, please be aware that exact matches may not be possible.
Marble is one of the most sophisticated and beautiful materials you can have in your home. This incredible natural stone has traditionally been viewed as a sign of elegance. The material has been used to create everything from marble countertops to some of the most famous statues in the world. The stone's natural beauty is a large part of what makes it so popular among homeowners.
While marble has many positive aspects, it is a porous material, meaning that liquids and stains can easily work their way down into the surface. This guide will inform you what types of stains can occur on marble and how to treat and minimize them.
How to Deal with Spills on Marble
Marble is one of the most porous natural stone materials you can find. With that in mind, you must immediately clean up any spills on the stone. If you leave them sitting on the surface, your marble may sustain permanent damage. However, such damages can be avoided if you act quickly. Wipe the spill with a damp, soft cloth.
How to Get Stains Out of Marble
If cleaning the spill does not work and you have a stain, it is not the end of the world. As mentioned with spills, being proactive is a vital part of preventing damage due to stains. But before you can remove the stain from your marble, you must first determine its type.
What Types of Stains Can Impact Marble?
This guide will cover 8 of the most common stains faced by marble countertops and other marble surfaces. These stains are:
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Oil-Based stains
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Organic stains
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Rust stains
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Water stains
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Mold stains
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Ink stains
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Etch marks
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Paint stains
Oil-Based stains
Oil-based stains can be caused by many things in your home: cooking oil, grease, milk, butter, hand lotion, etc. These stains usually appear light brown or yellow in color.
Organic stains
Organic stains are some of the most common on marble surfaces. Examples include rings left behind by coffee cups and other household substances. The stains can be light brown to dark brown.
Rust stains
Nails, screws, and metal cans are a few examples of items that can cause rust stains if left on your marble surfaces. Rust stains are generally copper-colored or brown.
Water stains
Water stains are yet another common stain on marble. They can result from a water glass left on a marble countertop for too long or from hard water buildup around sinks and showers.
Ink stains
Marble countertops and other surfaces are no strangers to ink stains. Ink stains result from pens, highlighters, markers, or even wine. They are usually water or alcohol-based.
Etch marks
Acidic substances are one of marble’s worst enemies. Substances such as lemon juice, orange juice, and wine can cause your marble to etch. Etch marks result from the top layer of the marble wearing away due to the stain.
How Can You Remove Stains from Marble?
Most marble stains can be removed using a homemade solution called a poultice. A poultice is a thick paste that draws the stain out of the marble. This section will highlight how the stains mentioned above can be removed.
Oil-Based stains
Oil-based stains can be removed with a poultice. This particular poultice will be made with a combination that includes mineral spirits.
Organic stains
Organic stains can be removed with a poultice containing 6 percent hydrogen peroxide. Be careful if you are removing a stain from darker-colored marble, as hydrogen peroxide can cause the marble to lighten.
Rust stains
Rust stains can usually be removed with a poultice or a non-acidic rust remover. Unfortunately, rust stains are the most difficult to remove from marble. If you try these methods but still have no success, contact a professional to assess the problem.
Water stains
Water stains can be easily removed from marble. You can use regular marble cleaner or remove the stain using Grade 0000 steel wool.
Ink stains
As with organic stains, you can remove ink stains with a poultice made with 6 percent hydrogen peroxide.
How Do You Make a Marble Poultice?
The process of making a marble poultice is very important, considering that most of the stains can be removed using this method. Below are the steps for making and applying the poultice.
| Step 1 |
Combine the required solvent with water or baking soda. Depending on what the specific stain is, the solvent can be 6 percent hydrogen peroxide, mineral spirits, etc. Combine the ingredients until the poultice is the consistency of peanut butter. |
| Step 2 | Clean the area of the stain. Before you apply your poultice, you will need to make sure the area of the stain is clean. Make sure the stained area is slightly wet so that the poultice will be able to penetrate the stone’s surface. |
| Step 3 | Apply the poultice to the stain. The application should be roughly ¼ inch to ½ inch thick. |
| Step 4 | Once the poultice has been applied, cover it with plastic wrap. Secure the plastic wrap with masking tape around the edges. |
| Step 5 | Let the poultice go to work. The poultice will take time to remove the stain. You should typically wait for between 24 to 48 hours before removing the poultice. |
| Step 6 | After waiting the required amount of time, remove the poultice from the surface. You can remove the poultice with a plastic or wooden spatula. Wipe the surface down with a damp cloth and dry it. Do not use any tools that may scratch your marble. |
The poultice operates by working its way down into the stone at the site of the stain. Over time, it pulls the stain right out of the stone. Using a poultice is typically the best way to remove stains from your marble surfaces.
What Happens if You Cannot Get Rid of the Stain?
Do not panic if the poultice doesn't work the first time. If this is the case, try re-applying it and waiting. If it still does not remove the stain, then you should call a professional to seek the best course of action.
What Not to Use for Stain Removal
The last thing you want to do trying to remove a stain from your marble is cause further damage to the stone. To avoid this, never use bleach or other harsh cleaners in an attempt to remove the stain. Harsh cleaners include any products that are acidic. Using cleaners such as these can wear away at the surface of the marble.
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