How to clean marble: the difference between stains and etching

The basic approach to cleaning marble is to use a product that suits the surface, in the right dose, and to understand what caused a mark. With stones that contain calcium carbonate, sensitivity to acid matters. A stain and dulling of the surface are not the same problem; trying to remove every mark with a stronger cleaner may not give the right result.

Keep everyday care simple

For natural stone, the Natural Stone Institute recommends a neutral cleaner, a suitable stone soap or a mild detergent with warm water, and blotting up spills before they spread. Check that the product suits your stone and its current finish. Follow the dosage and rinsing instructions. Source of the cleaning guidance: Natural Stone Institute — Care & Cleaning (opens in a new tab).

At first glance: a stain, or a difference in gloss?

An area going darker and an area reflecting light differently are not the same symptom. Look at the mark from different angles and note what it came into contact with. Take a photograph and tell the care specialist what was used. Do not make a firm diagnosis from appearance alone. Trying product after product on the basis of a wrong diagnosis can make the original problem harder to assess.

Do not let trial and error get out of hand

When the first product does not work, stop rather than moving on at random to a second and a third chemical. Especially if the source of a stain is unclear or the surface has changed in appearance, get a specialist's opinion. Do not mix products with one another. Do not carry out a restoration treatment as if it were an everyday cleaning routine. Any treatment the stone has already had can also affect the approach recommended.

A care file is more than a product name

Record the stone's trade name, the chosen finish, any protective product and the date it was applied. Write down clearly the cleaner's dilution and the surfaces it is to be used on. If more than one person or a professional cleaning team works in the home, everyone should use the same instructions. Do not manage the difference between a bathroom product and a kitchen product by the colour of the bottle.

Find the source of recurring marks

If marks keep appearing in the same spot, look at the daily routine as well as cleaning the surface. The bottom of a bottle, a plant pot, a serving area or a frequently used product may be the cause. Show the care specialist not only a close-up of the mark but also a general view of the area it is in. That makes it easier to discuss why it keeps happening.

Keep the finish and care information for the material you bought from Mabella. For a permanent mark, work with a care specialist who knows the stone and the treatment in question. A blog article can explain the general framework; assessing a problem on a real surface may need information gathered on site.