Why is there yellow staining on my marble?
One cause of yellow staining on your marble is iron oxidation. Iron oxidation is one of the most common reasons you would have yellow staining on your marble. When ingredients such as water, bleach or an acid come in contact with marble it will begin to oxidise and turn yellow.
Food stains
Food stains would be another reason why there is yellow staining on your marble. Because marble is a porous natural material and it can absorb the moisture and acidity from foods and this will cause your marble countertop to show yellow stains.
The reason it shows up as a yellowish-brown stain is that the acidity in the foods has eaten away the sealant that protects the marble from absorbing any kind of moisture. Once the seal has been penetrated the iron oxides in the marble make their way to the surface and show up as a yellow stain.
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Hot items were placed in that area
If you notice yellow staining in certain areas of your countertop it may have come from placing hot items down on the marble surface.
Hot items placed directly onto marble can cause yellowing. Placing a hot pan onto a marble countertop can cause the marble to yellow. You can put hot pans on marble, but if it’s too hot it can go into “thermal shock” which can severely damage your marble countertop.
Extremely harsh cleaning products were used
Extremely harsh cleaning products that are used on marble countertops can cause yellowing staining and eventually cause more severe damage. The harsh and abrasive cleaner will over time wear away the sealant that has been applied to the marble to keep it from yellowing.
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Iron staining
It may not be well known that iron deposits can be found in marble, and these iron oxide deposits are prone to the same oxidation as a piece of metal. In the same way that a piece of iron will rust when exposed to air and moisture, the iron oxide deposits in marble when exposed to moisture will push the iron oxides toward the surface through the pores of the marble creating a yellow stain appearance. If there’s enough iron oxides present the staining will be substantial.
This rust-like formation when it is in reference to marble is called iron staining.
How to remove yellow stains from marble countertops
The first thing to do when you want to remove yellow stains from your marble countertop is to decide what type of stain it is. There are several things that can cause your marble countertop to turn yellow, and knowing the cause will give you the answer as to what to use to remove the stain.
Food and Drinks
Moisture as well as acidic food can cause the yellowing of your marble countertop. Some foods and drinks contain acidic ingredients. Acidic acid from fruit drinks and certain foods can cause your marble to yellow.
Removing stains from acidic foods and drinks.
For fresh stains:
- Sprinkle the stained area with baking soda
- Allow the baking soda to sit on the stain until you see it beginning to go away
For older stains:
- Make a paste of baking soda and water
- Spread the paste over the stain and gently work it in
- Allow the paste to dry and sit
- Scrape and wipe clean with a damp cloth
Yellow Burn Stain
Stains caused by heat coming from laying a pan or utensil on your countertop without using a pot holder or a trivet.
To remove yellow heat stains from your marble countertop
- Make a 50/50 solution of ammonia and water
- Apply the solution to the yellow burn mark area
- Let stand for 5 Minutes
- Gently with a soft-bristled brush, scrub the area until you see it fading
- Wipe the area clean with a damp cloth
- Repeat if you see it is working
Harsh Cleaning Agents
Multipurpose spray cleaners will cause your marble countertop to turn yellow. The thing to remember about marble countertops is that the marble has a sealer on it, and overtime harsh and abrasive cleaners can wear off the sealer and this allows the moisture, as well as other materials, to be absorbed into the porous marble and this will cause oxidation.
After first you will be able to keep up with the stains that occur but over time the marble countertop will become severely damaged and it will take professional help to get it back to its original beauty.
Wear and Tear and Age
Over time normal wear and tear will show up on your marble if you don’t maintain it diligently.
Sealants need to be periodically reapplied and periodic polishing is recommended for your marble countertop with an approved polish that will lengthen the life of your marble and keep the yellowing at bay.
A yearly sealing maintenance schedule, as well as a polishing schedule, will keep the sealants at their prime and this will help prevent the yellowing of your countertop
How to Remove Stains from Marble Countertops
What if the yellow marble stain does not go away?
If the yellow staining still hasn’t gone away, this is likely due to a burn mark or extremely harsh cleaning methods. If this is the case, you’ll polish down the counter.
There is also one more type of stain that is a common stain on marble countertops. There’s even a name for this type of stain. It’s called etching.
Etching is when something is sat on the countertop, which leaves a water ring. This type of yellow stain won’t respond to baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, or ammonia, so there is only one course of action that you can take after you have tried the other methods.
Using a series of sanding pads each with a fine grit you can rework the entire countertop to restore the bright finish of a new marble countertop.
Using an electric sander that has an RPM range of around 600 rpms, and attaching sanding wheels that successively become finer, the entire surface of the marble countertop is refinished. Finishing up the job by rewaxing and buffing the marble to a brilliant shine.
It’s best to leave this to the pros by calling a professional.
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