Q&A for How to Clean Marble

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Question

Can I use vinegar to clean marble countertops?

Chris Willatt
House Cleaning Professional
Chris Willatt is the owner and founder of Alpine Maids, a cleaning agency in Denver, Colorado started in 2015. Alpine Maids has received Angie's List Super Service Award for three years in a row since 2016 and has been awarded Colorado's "Top Rated Local House Cleaning" Award in 2018.

Chris Willatt

House Cleaning Professional

Expert Answer

No, don't use vinegar. Anything acidic or abrasive is going to stain or damage your marble. You have to use something mild, like dish soap or special marble cleaner.

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Question

Why does marble stain so easily?

Chris Willatt
House Cleaning Professional
Chris Willatt is the owner and founder of Alpine Maids, a cleaning agency in Denver, Colorado started in 2015. Alpine Maids has received Angie's List Super Service Award for three years in a row since 2016 and has been awarded Colorado's "Top Rated Local House Cleaning" Award in 2018.

Chris Willatt

House Cleaning Professional

Expert Answer

It's a natural stone, it's soft, and it's porous. So when something sets into the marble, it's just really hard to get it out without damaging the marble.

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Question

Is marble easy to clean?

Chris Willatt
House Cleaning Professional
Chris Willatt is the owner and founder of Alpine Maids, a cleaning agency in Denver, Colorado started in 2015. Alpine Maids has received Angie's List Super Service Award for three years in a row since 2016 and has been awarded Colorado's "Top Rated Local House Cleaning" Award in 2018.

Chris Willatt

House Cleaning Professional

Expert Answer

Not really. Marble is a pretty fickle material, and I'm actually not all that fond of it as a material for counters. It's really soft so it scratches and chips quite easily, and it stains quickly if you let a liquid sit on it.

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Question

Where do I get a chamois cloth, dish soap and hydrogen peroxide?

Community Answer

Your local grocery store should stock all three.

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Question

I have a marble table that has been out in the weather for years. Can it be renewed?

Community Answer

Yes, you will have to sand it smooth. Start with a 120 grit paper and use a small angle grinder with a sanding pad attachment. An orbital dander will do, but will take longer. Work up through the grits to at least 400 grit for white marble and 1200 for black. Polish with marble wax, do not use silicone waxes.

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Question

How do I clean a light coral or orange stain from marble in my shower?

Community Answer

I would recommend Granite Gold shower cleaner; you can find it at Home Depot or Bed, Bath and Beyond. It will also prevent mold and mildew.

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Question

How can I remove mold/mildew stain from marble?

Community Answer

Use a mix of bicarb and peroxide, and follow up with 3 coats of sealant from a hardware store. You can also follow the methods listed above.

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Question

How do I clean marble?

Community Answer

Use arm water and a terry cloth towel to gently buff the marble.

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Question

How do I remove a stain caused by spilled white vinegar on a marble countertop?

Community Answer

Use a safe, neutral cleaner like Crystal Clean. Next, you'll need to polish or hone (depending on whether your counter is shiny or matte) to remove the etch/stain. This can be done with a variable speed hand grinder, white/honing pad and polish/honing powder. Once completed, clean the area again with the neutral cleaner.

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Question

If marble has been sealed with dirt underneath, how can it be cleaned?

Community Answer

You'll probably have to strip the sealer and clean the dirt. Most sealers wear off after a period of time so you'll just have to "deal with it" if it proves to be more trouble to strip and reseal.

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Question

How can I remove glue marks from packing material that stuck to a marble slab?

Charu David

Community Answer

Spray WD40 on the stain, let it sit for about 15 minutes, then wipe it off with a little rough cloth or a soft loofah. Do not let the liquid sit for too long, as it is corrosive.

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Question

How do I get the graying, etched look off my older dark green marble shower walls and floor?

Community Answer

If it is lime scale, get a cleaner for that. To renew the marble, get products at any home improvement store, like Home Depot or from places that sell marble.

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Question

How can I clean a marble table that has blackened because of smoke?

Community Answer

Use a small amount of cement cleaner. Do not touch it, it is ACID. One wipe will do, then dry the table and wash it several times.

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Question

Can I use diluted white vinegar to clean marble?

Community Answer

No, vinegar damages the marble. You should use hydrogen peroxide. Some people mix it with baking powder to make a paste, but the hydrogen peroxide alone will do the job of cleaning dirty marks (as well as freshening the color of the grout).

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Question

The doorsill of my 1928 bathroom is white marble; the center (foot traffic area) is rough and is discolored. Natural dish soap and cloth do not clean it. What is best to use to brighten that area?

Community Answer

I have found that using a spray that I use on my car windows for helping the rain run off the windows protects my marble and other surface tops, while giving the surface a beautiful protected shine.

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Question

How do I clean a water ring stain from marble?

Community Answer

Use steel wool 0000 fine grain, rub it with hand palm and use Best Friend cleaning liquid.

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Question

I have white marble in my shower that is yellowing and has developed a couple deep yellow stains. Is there a safe way to lighten it?

Community Answer

Pour vinegar on the stained area, then vigorously scrub with a wire brush. Finish using SOS pads.

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