White Carrara Marble with Orange Spots

QUESTION:

I just remodeled a bathroom downstairs in our older home and found a lovely vanity on line. I did not know how sensitive the marble countertop could be before I purchased it.

Now after using some over the counter products to clean it, I've noticed some orange spots around the faucets.

Is there any way to get rid of these? A local plumbing shop suggested using car wax to keep the shine, but I'm losing that as well.

I loved how it first looked when it was all slick and shiny. I'm really disappointed that I didn't do more research on the Carrara marble. Help!

ANSWER:

The dulling is probably the result of using damaging chemicals to clean it. Just like wood furniture, your clothes, leather or any material including all countertop surfaces you must use the proper chemicals and cleaning products designed for that type of surface/material.

The orange spots around the faucets may be due to iron deposits commonly found in Carrara marble that are rusting due to constant exposure to water. Be sure you don't have a leak around the faucets.

They could also be from whatever was used to seal around the faucet.

Without seeing them, it's hard to tell. But most likely you can remove the stain with a poultice.

Buy 12% hydrogen peroxide at your local beauty supply or online and some talc powder. Mix the two ingredients into a paste like peanut butter and apply to the stain about 1/2 inch thick. Cover with plastic. Tape down the edges of the plastic with masking tape and let sit for 24 to 48 hours.

Remove the plastic and leave the poultice on the marble until it is hard. Remove and clean. You may have to repeat this process a few times.

To restore the shine dulled by etching from using the wrong cleaning product you'll need to hire a marble restoration professional.

If it was just a small spot or two, you could restore the shine with marble polishing powder, but a whole countertop requires a professional. You'll never get it to look right.

Regards,
Ryan

I highly recommend MB Stone Care Products to maintain all your marble, stone and granite countertops and floors in optimal condition. I've used other good products (Stone Tech, Miracle) but found MB Stone Care is the most reliable and effective.