Incredible cleaning hack saves pricey marble table from permanent stains
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Marble tables and finishes are a popular choice among those looking to elevate the look and feel of their living area. After all, there's no denying that marble surfaces have a certain polished beauty to them and can add a nice touch to your décor.
But as with anything that can enhance a home aesthetically, it comes with its own caveats. Marble is porous and sensitive to certain chemicals, which means it can be difficult to clean and maintain. To complicate matters further, some stains can be hard to remove.
This was the case for one wise woman who abandoned multiple attempts to clean her expensive marble table.
Ruth, who works as a renovator, saw a brown stain in the shape of a ring on her marble table – one she had bought for a whopping AU $3,174.
‘I got hundreds of suggestions for what to try so I just started going down the list,’ she shared in a video she posted on social media.
Ruth said she tried toothpaste, bicarb soda, magic eraser, and poultice and ‘none of it worked’.
She said she tried Bar Keeper’s Friend as well, but told people to avoid using it on marble surfaces because it ‘took the polish off and yet the stain remained’.
It wasn’t until Ruth was recommended hydrogen peroxide, that she saw results.
‘I finally got to hydrogen peroxide and it started taking it off,’ she claimed. Ruth said that she added bicarb soda right after to help ‘keep it in place and draw out the stain’, and voila! The stain was gone. A 200ml bottle of hydrogen peroxide is available at Woolworths for $4.10.
However, the downside to all of Ruth’s stain-removal attempts is that the area has become dull and she needs to polish it again. She also couldn’t say for sure if this was because of the hydrogen peroxide or if it was because the polish had already come off before she even tried the ‘hack’.
That said, Ruth’s video has now gone viral with one million views and generated a healthy discussion about cleaning products in her comments section.
Some of her followers explained that the difficulty in removing stains from marble is why they don’t own marble furniture. Others suggested alternative cleaning methods.
‘I called a granite company once to ask them how to remove stains and they told me “oven cleaner”. Might want to try that next time,’ one shared. The same person shared that they sprayed the oven cleaner on the area and let it sit for 30 to 40 minutes before wiping it away with a cloth.
‘Stain was gone! Much easier it seems like and doesn’t harm the countertops in any way,’ they added.
Another suggested a simple solution: coasters.
To which Ruth replied: ‘Tell that to my 5-year-old.’
Marble is a porous material made of calcite, which means that different cleaners and chemicals will interact differently with it. It is important to understand the properties of marble and how different cleaners, such as vinegar, ammonia, bleach and hydrogen peroxide, interact with the surface, as well as the best ways to clean and maintain the material.
Hydrogen Peroxide is often suggested as a natural cleaner for marble surfaces. This is because it breaks down into water and oxygen slower than bleach or other harsh chemicals and is effective at removing stains from marble. However, it is important to clean off any hydrogen peroxide left behind on the surface with warm water, as it can discolour the marble in the long run if it is left on the surface.
Chlorine bleach is not suitable for any stone, particularly marble. It can corrode and etch the surface, so it is important to avoid using it on marble altogether.
By understanding the properties of the marble surface, as well as the chemical interactions with different cleaning agents, you can keep your marble surfaces looking their best and properly maintained.
To remove those pesky stains from marble surfaces, first, you have to remove the dust and debris from your marble surface with a soft cloth. Then, pour ½ cup of hydrogen peroxide into a gallon of warm water. Afterwards, spread the solution over the surface with a soft cloth and then rub the mixture into the marble. Use a soft cloth to dry the surface when you’re done.
For oil-based stains, make a paste using ½ cup of bicarb soda and 1 tsp. of hydrogen peroxide in a cup of warm water. Leave the paste on the stained area overnight.
Another pro-tip is to use hydrogen peroxide for light marble only. If your marble furniture is a darker surface, swap this ingredient with acetone.
Have you ever cleaned or tried to clean a marble surface? Share your cleaning tips and advice in the comments below!
But as with anything that can enhance a home aesthetically, it comes with its own caveats. Marble is porous and sensitive to certain chemicals, which means it can be difficult to clean and maintain. To complicate matters further, some stains can be hard to remove.
This was the case for one wise woman who abandoned multiple attempts to clean her expensive marble table.
Ruth, who works as a renovator, saw a brown stain in the shape of a ring on her marble table – one she had bought for a whopping AU $3,174.
‘I got hundreds of suggestions for what to try so I just started going down the list,’ she shared in a video she posted on social media.
Ruth said she tried toothpaste, bicarb soda, magic eraser, and poultice and ‘none of it worked’.
She said she tried Bar Keeper’s Friend as well, but told people to avoid using it on marble surfaces because it ‘took the polish off and yet the stain remained’.
It wasn’t until Ruth was recommended hydrogen peroxide, that she saw results.
‘I finally got to hydrogen peroxide and it started taking it off,’ she claimed. Ruth said that she added bicarb soda right after to help ‘keep it in place and draw out the stain’, and voila! The stain was gone. A 200ml bottle of hydrogen peroxide is available at Woolworths for $4.10.
However, the downside to all of Ruth’s stain-removal attempts is that the area has become dull and she needs to polish it again. She also couldn’t say for sure if this was because of the hydrogen peroxide or if it was because the polish had already come off before she even tried the ‘hack’.
That said, Ruth’s video has now gone viral with one million views and generated a healthy discussion about cleaning products in her comments section.
Some of her followers explained that the difficulty in removing stains from marble is why they don’t own marble furniture. Others suggested alternative cleaning methods.
‘I called a granite company once to ask them how to remove stains and they told me “oven cleaner”. Might want to try that next time,’ one shared. The same person shared that they sprayed the oven cleaner on the area and let it sit for 30 to 40 minutes before wiping it away with a cloth.
‘Stain was gone! Much easier it seems like and doesn’t harm the countertops in any way,’ they added.
Another suggested a simple solution: coasters.
To which Ruth replied: ‘Tell that to my 5-year-old.’
Marble is a porous material made of calcite, which means that different cleaners and chemicals will interact differently with it. It is important to understand the properties of marble and how different cleaners, such as vinegar, ammonia, bleach and hydrogen peroxide, interact with the surface, as well as the best ways to clean and maintain the material.
Hydrogen Peroxide is often suggested as a natural cleaner for marble surfaces. This is because it breaks down into water and oxygen slower than bleach or other harsh chemicals and is effective at removing stains from marble. However, it is important to clean off any hydrogen peroxide left behind on the surface with warm water, as it can discolour the marble in the long run if it is left on the surface.
Chlorine bleach is not suitable for any stone, particularly marble. It can corrode and etch the surface, so it is important to avoid using it on marble altogether.
By understanding the properties of the marble surface, as well as the chemical interactions with different cleaning agents, you can keep your marble surfaces looking their best and properly maintained.
To remove those pesky stains from marble surfaces, first, you have to remove the dust and debris from your marble surface with a soft cloth. Then, pour ½ cup of hydrogen peroxide into a gallon of warm water. Afterwards, spread the solution over the surface with a soft cloth and then rub the mixture into the marble. Use a soft cloth to dry the surface when you’re done.
For oil-based stains, make a paste using ½ cup of bicarb soda and 1 tsp. of hydrogen peroxide in a cup of warm water. Leave the paste on the stained area overnight.
Another pro-tip is to use hydrogen peroxide for light marble only. If your marble furniture is a darker surface, swap this ingredient with acetone.
Key Takeaways
- Marble surfaces are porous and certain substances like bleach and vinegar can corrode them.
- A renovator was able to remove a stain from a marble table by using a solution of hydrogen peroxide and bicarb soda.
- Other methods of stain removal were also discussed by other followers of the renovator, such as using an oven cleaner.