With its smooth finish and vibrant colors, marble stone can be a tremendous natural gift to your home. However, a stylish bathroom and kitchen countertop can be delicate. For this reason, you must protect your investment and care for marble efficiently, which is why we put together this guide to teach you how to clean all kinds of stains from marble countertops.
General Cleaning
One of the reasons that marble is so popular is how straightforward the cleaning process can be. However, one thing to keep in mind is avoiding acidic cleaners or any products that contain vinegar or lemon juice. A non-abrasive stone cleaner can be applied as long as you check the label carefully. To save money, mix up some pH-neutral soap with water. This solution should be sufficient to make your marble countertops look as good as new.
What Can Stain Marble?
Before you can start figuring out what to use to clean your marble countertops, you need to figure out what can stain them in the first place. Different materials require different cleaning agents to get the most effective clean, so identifying the different stains will help you more effectively handle any situation. The most common stains include oil-based, organic, water, and rust solutions.
Stain Removal
Removing stains from marble is trickier than routine cleaning. The main factor is to correctly identify the origin of the stain and then use the appropriate poultice or chemical to counteract the stain’s composition. We’ve listed some materials below as a “stain-fighting arsenal.” Please note that the quicker a stain is addressed, the better chance of eliminating it you have.
Warning:
- Never mix cleaning chemicals, as they can release toxic fumes, which can be lethal.
- Test the cleaning agent on an inconspicuous area of your countertop before applying it liberally elsewhere.
- Always wear protective gloves and eyewear when handling cleaning chemicals.
Cleaning Arsenal
- Soft liquid cleanser
- Mineral spirits
- Acetone
- Ammonia
- 12 percent hydrogen peroxide solution
- 20 percent hydrogen peroxide solution
- Bleach
- Lacquer thinner
- 0000-steel wool pads
- Razorblade
- Sponge
- Gloves
- Protective eyewear
- Flour
- Pre-mixed commercial poultice
Oil-Based Stains
In the kitchen, cooking liquid-related stains will be one of the most common types of stains your marble counters will see. Oil-based stains like cooking oil, milk, grease, or makeup can darken marble stones and leave lasting marks. Therefore, these stains should be dealt with chemically. We recommend applying a gentle clean with bleach, ammonia, acetone, or mineral spirits.
Organic Stains
Food and drink-related spills can frequently occur around your marble countertops. Various fruits, beverages, and other organic substances can spill and affect the coloring of your marble countertops if left untreated. For tea, wine, tobacco, paper, fruit, or almost any food stains, use a 12% hydrogen peroxide solution with a few added drops of ammonia. Wipe the stain over with a clean cloth, rinse it with a wet rag, and polish it dry with a chamois.
Water Stains
When you read “water stains,” you might think, how can that happen? Water doesn’t stain! However, it does if it forms a condensation ring underneath a drinking glass and leaves a residue behind after you pick it up. These rings can leave a lasting impression if they aren’t dealt with promptly. You can use a standard marble cleaner or steel wool to clean the marks.
Rust Stains
Rust stains might be one of the rarer kinds of stains that can affect marble countertops, but they are still something to keep in mind. Leaving things like nails, metal cans, or screws on marble counters for extended periods, the residual rust from the material can transfer to the surface and stain your marble. While rust stains rank among the most difficult to remove, you can try using a poultice or non-acidic rust remover to attack the stains. If still unsuccessful, you can call in a professional service to do the job.
Along with cleaning marble countertops and bathroom vanity tops, we know a thing or two about installing them for our Montgomery County clients. For additional information or to purchase a luxury marble countertop, click here to contact us today.