Cleaning Spots in Kitchen Marble Countertop
by Alicia
QUESTION:I have some spots in the kitchen marble and I would like to know how to clean them.ANSWER:You can get two kinds of spots on marble and the solution for cleaning marble depends on what type you have. But, it's easy to identify the type.1. Stains: are spots that occur when a substance is absorbed into the pores of the marble. These spots are always darker relative to the marble color. Marble (especially when polished) does not stain easy. Something would have to remain on the marble for quite some time (20-30 minutes or possibly much longer in most cases) before it would absorb and stain. Once a substance has absorbed and stained traditional methods for cleaning marble or any surface like a spray cleaner and cloth do not work. To get stains out you'll have to follow the step-by-step instructions in the Removing Marble Stains Manual. 2. Etch Marks: are caused when an acidic food or drink comes in contact with the marble. Etching is corrosion. The acid eats into the marble destroying the surface layer leaving a spot that is often dull and lighter in color relative to the marble. These spots look like ghost stains and people often call them "water spots" or "glass rings". Using the wrong cleaning products for marble maintenance can cause this too. Most common and brand name cleaners you find at the grocery, etc. are too harsh for cleaning marble and will cause damage and etching. Good new is.... you can easily remove etch marks on polished (not honed) marble using SCP: Marble Polishing Paste, which is made just for this purpose. Etching is the main reason marble is not recommended in the kitchen. Yes, you can remove the etch marks, but it is a constant battle since it is impossible to avoid contact with acids in a kitchen. So, most likely you have etch marks. A third possibility is that you have a spot(s) with both staining and etching in the same spot. What happens is say you spill wine. The wine is acidic and will etch the marble in seconds. Once etched the marble becomes more absorbent and can stain more easily. So, the wine etches, then absorbs and stains. If this is the case, you'll have to remove the stain first (follow the above ebook instructions) and then you can remove the etch mark with the paste after the stain is gone. There you have it! Since you have marble in the kitchen, you may want to consider getting Cleaning Marble Secrets Guide instead of the "stains" manual. This one is very comprehensive including everything about stains, etch marks and all other information you should know about marble maintenance and help you to best protect, clean and preserve your marble. Good Luck, Ryan P.S. Get all the facts, answers, explanations and simple solutions with step-by-step instructions for any issue, problem or question with our Granite & Marble Maintenance Manuals. |
