How to Remove Stains From Marble Countertops? Clean Quickly and Easily

Your kitchen or bathroom can benefit from having marble surfaces because of their beauty and refinement. However, this natural stone is renowned for being easily stained.

Getting rid of persistent stains from marble might be difficult. The good news is that cleaning stains from marble countertops is doable with a little time and the proper tools.

This article will discuss “how to remove stains from marble countertops” and offer advice on successfully removing several typical spots.

Our guide will assist you in making your marble countertops look brand new once again, regardless of whether you are dealing with a recent spill or a persistent stain that has been there for some time.

Types of Marble Stains

Marble surfaces can become stained with a wide variety of reasons. They include:

1. Rust stains

These stains are typically brown or copper. Some items that cause these rust spots on the marble surface include nails, metal cans, and screws left there.

2. Organic Smudges

These are some of the most frequent marks on marble surfaces, and they typically have a dark or light brown color. The rings that coffee cups, kitchen utensils, and other common household items left on marble are examples of organic smudges.

3. Water Spots

Water and other spots frequently develop on marble surfaces. They develop as a result of either hard water that has been left on marble surfaces for an extended period or hard water that has accumulated around sinks and showers.

4. Oil-Based Marks

A variety of factors might bring on these marks. They contain, among other things, hand cream, milk, butter, grease, and frying oil. Typically, these marks are either light brown or yellow.

5. Ink Stains

Another material that has a reputation for leaving marks on marble is ink. These markings result from spills from various substances, including pens, wine, markers, and highlighters. The majority of ink spots are alcohol- or water-based.

6. Paint Spills

Another substance that leaves bad marks on marble surfaces is paint. The marks that appear reflect the paint color that was accidentally spilled on the marble surface. These can be quite challenging to remove, and the difficulty varies with the size of the affected patch.

7. Etch Marks

The deadliest enemies of the marble are several acidic drinks, including orange juice, wine, and lemon juice. These acidic substances have damaged your home’s marble surfaces. Etch markings develop due to the acidic substance eroding the marble’s surface.

8. Mold Stains

Marble bathroom countertops, floors, etc., frequently develop mold stains.

Tips on How to Remove Stains From Marble Countertops

1. Rubbing alcohol

You can restore the shine of your marble by employing a rubbing alcohol spray if it just has minor spots or if the seal hasn’t been refreshed in a while.

Add a couple of drops of dish soap, 1/8 cup of rubbing alcohol, and water in a clean spray container. Spray on the surface after shaking the bottle. It will polish your counter and erase any light marks.

2. Corn starch

Spray the area with distilled water in a spray bottle if the stain has already been set. Apply a thick layer of cornstarch over the wet area and let it settle for at least 24 hours. If required, repeat the procedure.

Use cornstarch right away to cover any oil spots on your counter. After 15 minutes, wash the area with mild soap and water to remove the residue.

3. Hydrogen peroxide

Test this procedure in a sensitive area if you have dark marble because the peroxide may drastically lighten the stone. Hydrogen peroxide should be applied to a piece of gauze that has been cut to the spot size.

Ideally, the gauze will be moist but not leaking. With plastic wrap and tape, cover the dirt area with the pad. Allow the gauze to sit for at least 24 hours with a weighted item on top to add pressure. Repeat the process if the blot is not entirely removed.

4. Baking soda

If something spills on your marble counter, blot it up as much as you can as soon as it happens. Water and baking soda should be mixed to make a paste that is similar to sour cream in texture.

Apply the paste after misting the spill with water. For at least 24 hours, put the baking soda in plastic wrap to allow it to dry. The speck should be removed as a result, although you might have to repeat the procedure.

5. Liquid soap and flour

One cup of unbleached flour should be mixed with three tablespoons of mild liquid soap in a bowl. Make a thick paste using warm water that covers the discoloration completely.

For 24 hours, wrap the paste in plastic to let the stain come out, and then wash with soapy water.

Although the best approach is to wipe substances quickly before they discolor, these suggestions can help you eliminate marks from your marble surfaces.

6. Lemon juice and salt

A solution of salt and lemon juice can be used to get rid of stains on light-colored marble. After applying the mixture to the surface and allowing it to sit for several hours, rinse with water.

7. Denatured alcohol

Water-based stains (think juice or wine) can be eliminated with denatured alcohol. Apply alcohol to the spot and let it stay for a while before rinsing with water.

8. Acetone

Oil-based spills, like those caused by cosmetics or cooking oil, can be removed with acetone. Using acetone, dab a little bit on a cloth and gently rub the spot until it disappears.

Tips For Protecting Your Marble Countertops From Stains

1. Use a Sealant

To avoid surface marks, marble countertops need to be sealed. Any liquids or substances which can cause a stain are kept away from the marble’s surface by a sealer.

2. Quickly clean up spills

If something spills on your marble countertop, carefully wipe it up right away to avoid the spill soaking into the marble’s surface.

3. Use placemats and coasters

Marble surfaces can be shielded from spills and splatter by using coasters and placemats.

4. Avoid Acidic Foods

Foods that contain a lot of acids, like lemon juice or vinegar, will scratch the marble’s surface. It’s better to avoid putting acidic foods directly on the marble’s surface to prevent etching.

Final Thoughts

Marble countertop stain removal might be difficult, but it is doable with the appropriate methods and tools. No matter how tiny or difficult the mark is to remove, the key is to move swiftly and employ the proper cleaning technique for it.

There are various ways to get spots off marble countertops, ranging from utilizing light cleaners and hydrogen peroxide to hiring a professional.

You can prolong the lifespan of your marble countertops by adopting preventive measures like utilizing coasters, cleaning up spills right away, avoiding acidic liquids, and sealing them.

Marble needs to be treated carefully to prevent stains. You may also be interested in what are easy-to-clean counter materials then. We have another piece of article about low-maintenance kitchen countertops that look good with only a little care.