How to Clean Marble

You Will Need:

• Soft cloth or sponge
• Warm water
• Chamois
• Natural stone or marble cleaner (optional)
• Neutral, nonabrasive cleaner (clear ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, or acetone)
• Marble polish

The Cleaning Process:

1. Wet your sponge or cloth with the warm water and wipe the soapstone surface thoroughly.
2. Rinse out your sponge or cloth with plain hot water and wipe away any sudsy residue from the soapstone surface. If you have streaks and a dull finish, it may be because there is still soap residue on the surface. Rinse the sponge or cloth again with hot water and wring it out thoroughly to remove most of the excess water. Wipe over the surface again to remove any residue.
3. Wipe the surface dry with a chamois; do not allow to air dry.
4. Periodically clean your granite surfaces with a natural stone or neutral, nonabrasive cleaner to remove dirt and stains.
5. Rinse with plain water using a sponge or soft cloth.
6. Wipe the surface dry with a chamois; do not allow to air dry.
7. Apply a marble polish to the surface, following the manufacturer’s instructions, to restore shine and brilliance.

Marble is a very porous stone, so time is of the essence when it comes to removing stains. Immediately blot all spills, avoid rubbing as it may cause spreading of the stain. The longer a stain sits, the more likely it is to soak in and will be nearly impossible to remove. Here is one removal technique that will work for several common stains.

You Will Need:

• Powdered whiting (available at paint and home improvement stores)
• Hydrogen peroxide or other stain-removing chemical
• Water
• Plastic wrap
• Tape
• Small bowl
• Clean cloths or sponge
• Microfiber cloth

The Removal Process:

1. Poultice is a product that will absorb the stain out of the granite, but it will take time.
2. Begin by mixing the poultice according to manufacturer’s instructions in the small bowl. You will want to create a thick paste. It should be the consistence of peanut butter.
3. Apply to the stained area, keeping it only on the stain. The layer of paste should be about one fourth of an inch thick and overlap the stain about a half an inch.
4. Cover the area with plastic wrap and tape the edges down.
5. Allow this to set on the stain until it’s dry. This can take up to two days.
6. When the paste is completely dry, use a cloth or sponge to wipe away the paste.
7. Rinse with clean water.
8. Clean the area as normal and allow it to dry.
9. If the stain remains, you may need to repeat steps 2-6 several times, each time removing more of the stain.

• For marble floors, it’s best to protect them with a stone sealer.
• Use coasters under all glasses to prevent stains on your marble surfaces.
• Use a glass or plastic tray to hold cosmetics on marble vanity surfaces. Make sure they have felt pieces underneath to keep from scratching the marble.
• Avoid letting citrus or alcohol products sit on the marble surface as it can etch and dull it.
• Keep hot items off of marble; always use a trivet or hot pad for protection.
• Applying a clear wax will help to protect marble. Avoid waxing white marble as it may cause it to yellow.
• If you have marble flooring, it’s best to clean it with a neutral floor cleaner or have a trained professional clean it. For daily maintenance, sweeping and dusting is usually sufficient.