Marble is a popular choice for kitchen work surfaces and special decorations around the home.
However, if you get a stain on marble, it can be extremely tricky to remove. This is because quite porous and can easily be damaged by highly coloured and acidic foods.
While there are tips you can try at home, it may be better to call in a marble specialist. If you decide to try and tackle it on your own, here's what you can try at home, first...
Oily stains
Make a thickish paste from bicarbonate of soda and water and apply it to the affected area, overlapping the edges of the mark slightly.
Cover with clingfilm and seal the edges with masking tape. Leave to dry thoroughly, it is the drying action that draws the stain from the stone. This will usually take from twenty-four to forty-eight hours.
Once dry, remove the paste, rinse the area with water and dry with a soft cloth. If the stain is still there, repeat the process. It may take up to five applications.
Coloured stains
Cover stains made by foods such as beetroot with a few drops of hydrogen peroxide (available from most pharmacies).
Cover with clingfilm as above and leave overnight, then rinse with clean water and buff dry. Repeat if necessary.
Acid stains
Marks caused by acidic foods such as lemon juice, vinegar, or cola are harder to deal with. You can try using a specialised marble cleaner, but unfortunately it's likely that the area will need to be professionally repolished.
Restore shine
If either method dulls the surface of the stone, you can restore the shine with a proprietary marble polish.
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