How to Remove Stains from Marble Countertops

Coffee stains can be removed using liquid soap and water, a baking soda paste, or ammonia and hydrogen peroxide, depending on the severity. Coffee stains are common, and while generally easy to remove, if left for too long, they can settle and cause tough stains.

Coffee stains and other organic stains are some of the most common on marble countertops. Organic stains happen day-to-day and are the product of spillages from coffee, tea, wine, and other beverages, as well as food spills and the like.

In general, people choose a classic light marble, and coffee stains show up in a very unsightly manner because of the dark contrast of the liquid.

But thankfully, there are several cleaning methods for safely and effectively removing coffee stains from your marble countertops. Here are the cleaning methods you can use to remove coffee stains from your marble countertops:

Table of Contents

How to remove coffee stains from marble countertop

Wash the area with liquid soap and warm water.

While mild, this solution is the safest and easiest. This cleaning method is best used as soon as the coffee has been spilt before it has time to settle.

First, blot the excess coffee. Then, dip a clean cloth into a solution of warm water and 2-3 drops of mild liquid soap. Rub the area till all the coffee has been soaked up. Finally, dry with a clean cloth.

Baking soda paste.

Making a baking soda paste is one of the tried and true methods of safely and effectively removing organic stains like coffee.

This is a quick and inexpensive method and it’s likely you already have baking soda in the house. Here’s how to make a baking soda paste so you can absorb coffee stains from marble.

First, get a regular cup and fill it with equal parts warm water to baking soda. We recommend 1 tbsp at a time. Do this until you have enough paste to cover the stain.

Next, spoon the paste onto the stain and cover it entirely. Then, let it sit for anywhere between 15 mins and 2 hrs. Finally, wipe away and clean up the paste and rinse the area with clean water before drying with a clean cloth.

Ammonia and hydrogen peroxide.

This is an especially powerful concoction best used only if coffee stains remain after using a simpler cleaning method such as using liquid soap and warm water.

Both ammonia and hydrogen peroxide is safe to use on marble, as long as the marble is light in colour. This is because hydrogen peroxide is a whitening agent and may leave a permanent light spot on dark marble.

First, mix 2-3 drops of ammonia with 1 cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide. Soak a white blotter in the solution and place it over the stain. Cover it with a piece of glass, wood, or another heavy object. Leave for as long as you can. Rinse and repeat this process as many times as necessary until as much of the coffee stain has been drawn out of the marble.

Why Is My Marble Countertop Dull?

How to prevent coffee from staining my marble

The best way to prevent coffee from staining your marble is to either not use your marble countertops as a place to prepare or sit coffee on or by using coasters or mats. It’s not just complete spills but also overflow and splashes that you need to be wary of.

When preparing coffee, place your machine or other devices for preparing the brew on top of a large surface that sits in between it and the marble. This way, any splashes or spills will likely be stopped from touching your marble surface. And whenever drinking coffee, use coasters large enough that they will pick up any overflow or splashes.

Does cleaning the coffee straightaway make a difference?

The sooner you can clean up coffee spills, the better. Although marble countertops have a sealant that helps prevent stains from penetrating deep into the natural stone, the longer organic stains such as coffee are left on the surface, the harder they are to remove.

This is because liquids left to evaporate and dry on the surface seep in deeper and have time to damage and discolour the sealer and surface.

We recommend keeping a damp cloth nearby at all times. This way, you can soak up any spills, splashes, and overflows as soon as they happen. By doing this, you make the job of cleaning easier and help prevent the chances of deeper, harder to remove stains.

Remove Yellow Stains on Marble Countertop

How to remove hard water stains from marble countertops

Hard water stains are common and can be removed using baking soda and a soft-bristle brush. Make a paste of one-part baking soda into one-part water and scrub the paste on the stains using a soft-bristle brush to remove the hard water deposits.

Hard water stains are a common issue for many homeowners with marble countertops. Hard water stains typically show up as dark rough patches that seem to come out of nowhere gradually right under your nose. Hard water stains are created by water that is left to evaporate.

The high mineral content deposit on the surface causes the stains. And on light-coloured marble, especially if there’s a sink nearby that runs from a hard water area, these unsightly stains become more of an issue.

Thankfully, hard water stains are typically easy and simple to remove. Here’s one of the best methods for removing hard water stains from marble countertops.

Baking soda and a soft bristle brush.

Baking soda is a great and inexpensive method for removing hard water stains safely and effectively from marble. Because hard water can be especially tough at times, you can use a soft bristle brush to help scrub away the softened hard water when baking soda is applied to it. To do this, you will need to make a baking soda paste.

First, get a regular cup and fill it with equal parts warm water to baking soda. We recommend 1 tbsp at a time. Do this until you have enough paste to cover the stain.

Next, spoon the paste onto the stain and cover it entirely. Then, scrub the paste with a soft bristle brush. Be careful not to brush too hard, though. After some scrubbing, wash away the paste with clean water to check your progress. If more scrubbing is required, reapply the paste and scrub once more.

How to prevent hard water from staining my marble

It’s possible to prevent hard water from staining marble and there are several methods. But we won’t pretend it will take some work and possibly some money. And if you live in a hard water area, there’s only so much you can do. Yet, follow these steps and you will help stop hard water build-up at least partially if not entirely.

The first practice to prevent hard water from staining your marble is to avoid splashes from the sink. Don’t run your water too hard, which splashes against the sink and out onto your surfaces. If this does happen, keep a dry cloth nearby so you can wipe it up before it has a chance to evaporate.

The second practice is to use coasters for glasses of water. Without realising it, water can seep down a glass of water and come into contact with the surface. These usually go unnoticed which leaves the water to dry on the surface.

Finally, see about fixing the hard water problem at the source. Depending on where you live, there might not be anything you can do. If you have the money, you may be able to have a filter fitted which will reduce the hardness of your water.

But this is typically a last resort measure and best used only in cases where you either have the money or the hard water is especially bad.

Remove Coffee Stain on Marble Countertop

How to remove soap stains from marble countertops

Soap stains are common and can be removed with a simple mixture of water and ammonia. Soap stains generally happen because of an excess of soap that is not properly washed away. Mix half a cup of ammonia with a gallon of water, soak a cloth in the mixture and scrub the stains before patting dry.

Soap stains are normal. A simple soap and water mix is the most common daily cleaning method recommended by experts, and excess soap residue can easily be left behind if the surface is not rinsed properly.

Because soap is gentle, soap stains aren’t often problematic. This also means removing soap stains is relatively easy. Here’s how you remove soap stains from marble countertops.

Ammonia and water.

This is an easy solution that’s inexpensive, safe, and effective for use on marble countertops. Simply mix half a cup of ammonia with a gallon of water. Soap a clean cloth in this mix and scrub the soap stains. The ammonia should swiftly pick up the soap scum. Once removed, rinse the area with clean water.

How to prevent soap from staining my marble

If you wish to continue to use the generally recommended daily cleaning method of soap and water for marble, then try to use the least amount of soap possible. Soap stains are often caused by an excess of soap left behind. Minimising the amount of soap you use will lessen the chances of soap stains and save you money in the long run.

You can also replace your daily cleaning of soap and water with a spray cleaner designed for marble so you completely prevent soap from being able to stain your marble countertops.

How to remove rust stain from marble countertop

To remove rust stains from your marble countertops, you will need to make a poultice. Rust stains are usually dark brown and can be tough to remove. Mix baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to make a thick poultice paste and leave covered for 24-48 hours. Then, wipe away the excess and rinse clean.

Rust stains are often copper or brown and are usually formed by metals such as screws left on the surfaces. Because of their colour, they can be especially unsightly on light-coloured marble countertops. They’re also some of the most difficult stains to remove.

But you need not worry. While often difficult to remove, we have a powerful solution for removing rust stains from your marble safely and efficiently.

Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide poultice.

One of the best methods for removing rust stains from marble countertops is to use a baking soda poultice. A poultice is a thick paste that is made to be left under a covering for 24 to 48 hours for great effect.

To make a poultice powerful enough to remove rust stains from marble, mix baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and water together alternating in equal parts. If you need the poultice to become thicker, try halving the amount of water you compared to the other ingredients.

Do this until you have enough of a super thick paste that you can cover the stains in. Apply the poultice to completely cover the stains and cover it tightly with plastic wrap. Leave this for 24 to 48 hours before removing it. Then, wipe away the excess and wash away the residue with clean water.

Why does marble Rust?

Marble can rust because this natural stone contains iron deposits which when coming into contact with water and other foreign elements can oxidise. Marble can also rust when metals, especially metals with high iron content such as nails, come into contact and are left on the surface for long periods.

How to prevent rust from staining my marble

The best way to prevent rust from staining your marble is to make sure the sealant is fully intact. If you bought your marble countertops from a reputable manufacturer, chances are the sealer is of good quality. Over time, however, any sealant can wear down, and you may need to replace it.

You should also not allow liquids like water to seep into the marble. Dry any spills up as quickly as possible. Also, avoid leaving any metals such as nails, screwdrivers, and even your house keys sitting on your marble countertops.

What are the don’ts of removing rust stains from marble countertops?

Because rust can be especially difficult to remove, it can be tempting to reach for strong cleaning agents like bleaches or acids. Marble is a natural stone and chemicals and solutions that are too acidic or too alkaline can permanently damage it.

Avoid bleach, vinegar, acids, and other harsh chemicals. You should also not scrub your marble countertops too hard when removing tough rust stains, which can also be tempting.

How to remove yellow stains from marble countertop

You can remove most yellow stains from marble with a simple yet effective baking soda paste. Yellow stains most often appear on marble because of the sun or oil-based products and grease. The baking soda paste will help lift the yellowing and brighten the area, removing the stain.

Despite the fact yellow stains can appear on marble countertops for a variety of reasons, they’re generally one of the easier stains to remove. Removing them does not take much effort and inexpensive household cleaners will generally do the job.

Depending on the cause and how long the stains have been there, they will be more or less difficult to remove.

Baking soda paste.

In general, a baking soda paste will suffice for removing yellow stains from your marble countertops. Baking soda is a natural, gentle, yet very effective stain remover. It simultaneously lifts discolourations and brightens surfaces.

To make a baking soda paste to use to remove yellow stains from marble, mix equal parts of baking soda and water into a cup or bowl. The paste should be thick enough to spread yet not completely dry. Spread this paste onto the yellow stains. Leave it to work for 15 mins to 30 mins.

Then, remove the paste and rinse the area with clean water. Repeat this process as many times as necessary. If you find after several times that the yellow is not budging, try adding 1-2 drops of hydrogen peroxide to the paste.

Remove Turmeric Stain Marble Counter

Why does marble yellow?

Yellow stains can appear for several reasons. One of the main reasons and one of the least recognised is from the sun. If your marble countertops are in a room that faces the sun and you have windows that allow the sun to penetrate onto your marble countertops, this can cause yellow staining.

Unfortunately, you cannot move the sun. But you can prevent the sun’s rays from beaming onto your marble countertops by using blinds and other measures at the times of day they hit your surfaces.

Marble can also yellow from particular stains such as oil-based stains. Hand lotion, cooking oils, and grease are common perpetrators of yellowing on marble countertops.

How to prevent my marble yellowing

The key to preventing your marble from yellowing is to take precautions. If you’ve yet to install your marble countertops or are looking at installing new ones, plan where you’re going to put them in advance and try to install them away from where the sun will shine through and potentially penetrate the surface.

Also, try to keep oils like cooking oils and oil-based lotions and the like off of your marble countertops. Take extra precautions when cooking and wipe any spills as soon as they happen.

Remove oil stain from marble countertop

Oils stains are common and can generally be easily removed using hydrogen peroxide and ammonia. Mix a 12% hydrogen peroxide solution with a few drops of ammonia. Scrub the stain with a clean damp cloth before drying. You can repeat this process to remove the oil from your marble.

Oil stains are extremely common. These organic stains are generally caused by oil-based foods and grease. Certain oil-based cleansers and lotions can also be culprits.

Oil stains can be tough to remove once set. Like anything else, it’s best to clean them as fast as possible. But even if you have oil stains that are set, you can still remove them with the right cleaning methods.

Hydrogen peroxide and ammonia.

For pesky oil stains that soap and water alone can’t get out, we recommend a hydrogen peroxide and ammonia mix. This is one of the strongest formulas that’s safe to use on marble countertops. This will work great against most organic food stains.

Mix a 12% hydrogen peroxide solution with a few drops of ammonia. Use a clean damp cloth to wipe this solution over the stain and scrub. Be gentle with scrubbing and don’t be too hard. The stain should lift. You can repeat this process several times. Rinse the area with clean water afterwards and dry.

How to prevent oil from staining my marble

Since most oil stains are organic, usually from food, the best prevention is to be careful when cooking and handling oil-based products on your marble countertops.

If you cook often around your marble countertops in the kitchen, think about cooking in a large enough pan so oil is less likely to splash, and keep a damp cloth nearby to clean up any oil splashes and spills straight away. Also, keep lotions and body oils and other personal hygiene products away from marble.

Remove ink stain from marble countertop

For removing ink stains from marble countertops, use rubbing alcohol. Ink stains can be a particular concern, especially from permanent markers. But rubbing alcohol is powerful. Pour some of the solutions over the stains and allow them to soak before rubbing with a nylon scrub pad. Blot any excess.

Owners of marble countertops are no stranger to ink stains. Especially on light-coloured marble, dark or brightly coloured ink stains stick out vividly. Permanent markers are a common cause of ink stains. And as the name suggests, they can be especially difficult to remove.

Despite how permanent an ink stain might seem, they’re very much removable. To remove ink stains from your marble countertops, we recommend rubbing alcohol. Rubbing alcohol is an inexpensive and powerful cleaner that will also disinfect your surfaces.

To use rubbing alcohol to remove ink stains from your marble countertops, simply pour rubbing alcohol over the stain and allow it to soak into the ink for several minutes. Then, gently rub the stain with a nylon scrub pad. After, blot up the excess liquid with a paper towel. This is most effective if used as soon as possible after the staining.

How to prevent ink from staining my marble

Preventing ink from staining marble is as simple as not allowing pens, markers, and other ink-based objects from being anywhere near your marble surfaces.

Or, if you’re adamant about using your marble surfaces for drawing or writing, say you have a yellow pad handy for writing your grocery lists, think about placing it on a surface that sits between your pens and the surface.

How to remove vinegar stains from marble

You can remove vinegar stains from marble using a baking soda paste. Although vinegar can be especially damaging because of its acidic nature, it’s quite easy to clean. And if baking soda alone isn’t enough, you can add a few drops of hydrogen peroxide to buffer the power to remove the stains.

Vinegar is an acidic substance that can damage marble. The high pH of vinegar means it will eat away at the protective sealant and can penetrate the natural stone, wreaking havoc.

Although this might not be the most common kind of stain, it’s important to know how to remove vinegar stains if ever it should occur before it does irreparable damage. Thankfully, vinegar stains are relatively easy to remove.

Baking soda paste.

To remove vinegar stains from your marble countertops, you should make a baking soda paste. Baking soda is an inexpensive household cleaner that is safe and effective. Baking soda is a natural abrasive that has a brightening effect.

To make a baking soda paste powerful enough to get rid of vinegar stains from your marble countertops, simply mix equal parts of water with baking soda, making sure to alternate so the mixture is even.

The paste should be thick but spreadable. Make enough mixture so you can spread it over the whole of the vinegar stains. Then, leave to set for 15-30 mins before scrubbing. After scrubbing, rinse the area with clean water.

You can add a few drops of hydrogen peroxide to the baking soda to create a more powerful mix if you find baking soda alone isn’t enough to remove the stains. If done quickly enough, the vinegar stain will not have damaged the sealant and got into the stone. If it’s the case that it did but the stone is untouched, you can reseal the marble.

How to prevent vinegar from staining my marble

You may have heard that you can clean surfaces with vinegar, or you may be in the habit of doing so with other surfaces. But vinegar will damage marble, so never clean with it. Avoid handling vinegar and vinegar dressings on and around marble.

Also, only use cleaners designed with marble in mind. Check the ingredients for vinegar or other acids and never use cleaners with these ingredients on marble. These are the best preventative measures to make sure this dangerous

Does cleaning the vinegar straightaway make a difference?

Yes, the sooner you clean vinegar the better. This is because the longer vinegar is left the faster the acidity will erode the protective sealant of your marble. Left long enough and there will be no sealer left. Once this happens, your natural stone is left unprotected and wide open to damage that could be permanent.

How to remove turmeric stains from marble

Turmeric stains can often easily be removed with the power of a baking soda paste. These brightly coloured stains are common, but they generally don’t cause much of an issue on marble. Let the baking soda paste sit on the stain for 15-30 mins before washing off.

The discolouration created from this pungent spice makes for yellow-orange stains that show up brightly on marble. Turmeric is used in many kitchens and it’s easy for the powder to get on top of marble countertops and other surfaces and stain them. Luckily, this organic stain is generally easy to remove.

Baking soda paste.

To remove turmeric stains from marble countertops, you probably won’t need anything more than a baking soda paste.

Baking soda is a gentle yet powerful abrasive. It’s inexpensive and can be used to remove many different types of stains. And it works perfectly on bright coloured stains like turmeric.

To make a baking soda paste simply add equal parts of water to baking soda alternating between them in a cup or bowl. Make enough paste to cover the stains. The paste should be thick yet spreadable. Once you have the paste, spread it, covering the entire stain.

Leave it there to work on the discolouration for 15-30 mins. Then, rub the paste a little into the stain. Afterwards, remove the paste and rinse and dry. If the stain is still there but you see that the paste has worked to bring some of the discolourations up, then repeat this process.

How to prevent turmeric from staining my marble

A common way turmeric stains are from cooking and there being liquids around that interact with the turmeric, leaving it to absorb into marble countertop surfaces. So, when cooking with or using turmeric, try to avoid having glasses or cups of water or other liquids nearby.

Another way to prevent turmeric from staining your marble is to be careful when handling turmeric and other brightly coloured spices. Think about using turmeric and preparing food in general on top of mats or other surfaces to protect your investment and prevent stains on your marble countertops.

Does cleaning the turmeric straightaway make a difference?

In general, the sooner you clean a stain, the better. This also applies to turmeric. Turmeric stains aren’t as damaging as some others.

You don’t have to worry about turmeric corroding your sealant or penetrating deep into the natural stone, like you do acids, for example. But the sooner you remove turmeric stains the better the chances the discolouration won’t be permanent.

How to remove tea stains from marble

Removing tea stains will often require a hydrogen peroxide and ammonia mix. Organic stains like tea have dark pigments that can cause tough stains on marble countertops. Use a few drops of ammonia with a 12% hydrogen peroxide solution to effectively remove tea stains.

Tea stains and other organic stains are generally easy to remove. Tea stains show up as light bright in colour and it can be concerning for homeowners that they may be permanent. But the dark pigments in tea shouldn’t be much of a hassle In most cases and most likely won’t be permanent.

Tea stains typically aren’t too damaging as they won’t eat away at the sealant that protects marble countertops. Here’s one of the best methods for removing tea stains from your marble countertops.

Hydrogen peroxide and ammonia.

One of the best methods for removing tea stains from marble is with a powerful mixture of hydrogen peroxide and ammonia.

To make this mixture for cleaning these organic stains, mix a few drops of ammonia with a small amount of a 12% hydrogen peroxide solution.

Dip a clean cloth into the mixture and gently scrub the surface stains as much as required. You should see the stain begin to rise before your very eyes. When finished scrubbing, wash the area with clean water and then pat dry. Feel free to rinse and repeat this process.

How to prevent the tea from staining my marble

Tea and organic stains from other drinks like coffee are common. Nearly everyone drinks these kinds of drinks in the kitchen where marble countertops will most often be found. The best prevention for these types of stains is care. Use coasters under your tea mugs.

Make sure they’re large enough so any drips or splashes will land on them and not on your marble surfaces. Also, take extra care when preparing tea. Think about preparing tea with a soft clean towel underneath, for example. And mind splashback when pouring.

Does cleaning the tea straightaway make a difference?

Yes, it’s better to clean tea straight away. Cleaning tea as soon as you can lessen the chances the dark pigments settle and stain deeper. If a spill of tea has just happened, a damp clean cloth with mild soap and water should suffice. Wipe it straight away.

How to remove sticky residue from marble

You can remove sticky residue from marble by using Goo-Gone. Goo-Gone is a popular store-bought sticky residue and adhesive remover. It’s safe and effective for removing glue, gum, sweets, and more. Apply the solution and leave to work for 3-5 mins before scrubbing and then washing off.

Sticky residue is a nightmare for most homeowners. Not only is it difficult to remove, especially if you don’t know what caused it, but there’s a chance of damaging the surface trying to remove it. After all, sticky residue sticks, and sometimes requires force to remove. But sticky residue on marble doesn’t always have to be difficult to remove.

Depending on what caused the sticky residue and how long it has been there, regular cleaning methods that are safe for marble probably won’t work. For sticky residue on marble, we recommend purchasing a store-bought stain remover that’s safe for marble called Goo-Gone.

Goo-Gone is a goo and adhesive remover. It’s specifically designed to remove sticky substances from everyday surfaces such as marble. It’s relatively inexpensive, effective, and safe. It can remove gum, stickiness from sweets, and adhesives.

To use Goo-Gone to remove sticky residue from your marble countertops, first, apply a generous amount of the liquid to a soft cotton pad or clean cloth. Rub the solution on top of the stain and allow it to sit and work for 3-5 mins. Next, wipe the Goo-Gone into the surface using a clean cloth with soapy water. The sticky residue should easily come away. Finally, pat dry.

How do I prevent my marble from getting sticky?

The best way to prevent your marble from getting sticky is to be mindful of what you use on and around your marble countertops. Be cautious with sweets and candies, glues and waxes. Preferably, don’t have glue and waxes anywhere near the surface and don’t allow sweets and even fruits to be kept on the countertops, even in bowls.

How to remove ring stains from marble

Ring stains can be removed by a two-pronged approach of using a gentle detergent and water and then super-fine steel wool. These stains are often caused by excess heat or hard water. If the detergent doesn’t remove the stains, use super-fine steel wool to remove a layer and buffer the surface.

Ring stains are unsightly dark-coloured stains that many homeowners will have to face in time. In general, ring stains on marble are caused by hot pans being left for too long on the surface, or from hard water left to sit at the bottom of a glass for too long.

It’s possible to remove ring stains using a two-pronged approach. Here’s what we recommend.

Gentle detergent and water.

The first step is about discovering how deep-set the ring stains are and possibly removing them. Use a few drops of a gentle dish detergent mixed with warm water and soak a clean cloth into the mix. Then, scrub the ring stains. The ring stains may begin to come up with this solution alone. But if they don’t, the cleaning solution preps the ring stains to be removed with the next step.

Steel wool.

You can use a super-fine grade 0000 steel wool to buffer the surface and remove the ring stains. This is a safe and effective method, but it will take a little elbow work. While the ring stains are still damp by the first step, use the steel wool to gently buffer the ring stains.

Use circular motions, and after focusing on ring stains, move over and buffer the rest of the marble countertop. This is because this physical abrasive removes the uppermost layer of the surface, and so for an even layer, you will need to use it all over.

After some work, you should find the ring stain disappearing, and after the job is done, you will be left with a polished surface.

How to prevent hard water from staining my marble

Preventing hard water from staining your marble countertops depends on several factors. If you live in a hard water area, ask yourself if you have the means to be able to fit in a filter to help ease the hard water issue. If you don’t, you will need to take certain preventive measures regularly.

Even with a filter fitted, however, you will need to be wary to avoid hard water stains entirely. All water has some mineral deposits, and left to dry on your surfaces means hard water stains over time.

The best preventative method is to dry up any water spills, splashes, or leaks as soon as they appear. The key is to not allow water to evaporate on the surface. Keep a dry cloth around at all times and be prepared to dry up any wet spots.

How to remove citrus stains from marble

To remove citrus stains, try a baking soda paste. Mix one-part baking soda with one-part water to create a paste. The abrasive and brightening nature of baking soda is enough to remove most citrus stains. If the citrus stains have been left a long time, you may need to try an etch remover.

Citruses are acidic, and acidity can damage marble. Citruses interact with and can erode the protective sealant of your marble countertops and penetrate the stone, leaving an etching and causing permanent damage in some cases. So, it’s important to remove citrus stains safely and effectively as quickly as possible.

Baking soda.

Try a baking soda paste to remove citrus stains from marble. This is especially effective if the citrus stains are relatively fresh. The abrasive nature and brightening effect of baking soda make it an ideal solution for removing the dark spots that citrus stains can leave behind.

To make a baking soda paste, add one-part water to one-part baking soda into a cup or bowl. Create enough of a mixture that each entire stain will be completely covered. The paste should be thick but spreadable. Then, spread the paste and cover the stains completely.

Allow the paste to sit and work its magic on the stains for 15-30 mins. Then, for added power, scrub the paste gently into the marble with a clean cloth. Finally, remove the paste, rinse away the residue, and pat dry. You can repeat this process if necessary.

Etch Remover.

In many cases, baking soda will be enough to remove citrus stains from marble. But if the citrus stains have been left for a long time or are especially bad, you may need to use an etch remover. Because marble countertops are costly and because marble is one of the more delicate natural stones, it’s best to consult your manufacturer first.

Ask them for a recommended etch remover. Avoid generic store-bought marble polishers. Make sure it’s an etching remover designed specifically for marble. Paste for etching marks is generally inexpensive and can be done at home following the instructions.

How to prevent citrus from staining my marble

Citrus and citric acids are found not only in fresh fruit and juices but also in many cleaners and solutions. So, to prevent citrus from staining your marble, first, be careful when preparing fruit juices and handling fruit. Use a large chopping board when preparing fruit, for example, to avoid the acids spurting over your marble.

Also, check any cleaners you use and have stored around your marble countertops. Without realising it, they may contain citric acid. Citric acid is a common cleaning agent used in cleaners and toiletries.

Does cleaning the citrus straightaway make a difference?

As with most stains, cleaning citrus strains straight away will mean they’re easier to remove. With citrus, in particular, removing these stains is extra important. This is because citrus is very acidic and will erode the protective sealant of your marble countertops.

If left for long enough, it will eat all the way through and potentially cause irreparable damage to the marble. This means costly repairs or an entire replacement.