How to Deodorize Marble

Michaela said, “Hello – a watermelon went bad and was left on our white marble countertop while we were out of town for 2 days. The juices leaked and the smell was very rotten. I was able to get the stain made by the juices out, but the marble absorbed the smell. Any suggestions on how to remove the stench? Thank you!!”

You Will Need:

• Baking soda
• White vinegar
• Coffee grounds

Steps to Remove the Smell:

1. The Baking Soda Method. Sprinkle a generous layer of baking soda over the stone. Leave the baking soda on the stone overnight, then brush it off in the morning. If the smell is not completely removed, repeat the process as many times as needed or try a different method.
2. The Vinegar Method. Fill a bowl with white vinegar and set it on the stone near the area that smells. Leave the bowl there overnight. If the odor is not gone in the morning, repeat the process as many times as needed or try a different method. Be careful not to spill any of the vinegar on the counter as it could dull the stone.¹
3. The Coffee Method. Pour some fresh coffee grounds over a plate or into a bowl. Set the plate on the stone and leave it there overnight. If the odor is not gone in the morning, repeat the process as many times as needed or try a different method.

• Activated charcoal is said to work particularly well on organic odors, such as those from rotten food. To use activated charcoal, follow the coffee grounds method above and simply replace the coffee grounds with the activated charcoal.
• Cleaning a surface with a disinfectant can sometimes help to remove an odor. Check the label of your selected product, such as Lysol, to be sure it is safe for your surface.²

1. Clean It Fast, Clean It Right by Jeff Bredenberg
2. Joey Green’s Cleaning Magic by Joey Green