How to remove Acid Stains from Marble

A move into a new house can be a hassle especially when the previous owners have been slobs. To get the stubborn dirt marks off the marble floors of your new house, there are numerous methods that involve the use of acid. Acid can be extremely damaging to the marble floor, depending in the concentration it is in. Very strong acid may corrode the marble floor thoroughly leaving behind deep and shallow holes in it. The best and safe way is to use acid which isn’t very highly concentrated. Even low concentrations can be harmful for the marble floor i.e. it may leave large ugly looking stains on the marble floor. This often occurs if the acid isn’t properly cleaned or some of it is left behind due to carelessness. On the dark surface of marble these stains might even go unnoticed but on the lighter surfaces these marks are quite visible and extremely unappealing. The following methods will help you in getting rid of the acid stains on a marble floor, but for the very best results it is advisable that the acid be cleaned immediately so you don’t have to spend a lot of time in cleaning.

Method 1 

Things that you will require:

·      Cotton gauze

·      Hydrogen peroxide

·      Tape

·      Gloves

·      Small plastic bag

·      A heave weight (a thick book or similar heavy object)

Steps that you will need to take:

1.   Fold the cotton gauze twice to make into a small square according to the acid stain size on the marble.

2.   In order to protect your hands, wear the gloves. Saturate the folded cotton gauze with hydrogen peroxide.

3.   Now cover the acid stain on the marble with this folded gauze and cover it with the small plastic bag. Now seal the plastic bag with tape, so that no air goes in.

4.   Leave it for a whole day. Remove the plastic wrap and wash the paste off with water and soap. This will completely remove the stain. In case the stain was old and hasn’t completely gone away reapply the paste. After doing all this you will surely get rid of acid stains on marble.

Warning:

·      Make sure no water is spilled near the covered area or the tape might come off.

·      This might lighten the color of the marble; therefore this method is best for light colored marble.

Method 2

Things that you will require:

·      A cup of flour (unbleached)

·      Three table spoons of a mild liquid dishwasher

·      A bowl of water

·      An empty bowl

·      Tape

·      Plastic wrap/bag

·      A spoon

·      Gloves

Steps that you will need to take:

1.   Take the empty bowl and mix a cup of unbleached flour with three table spoons of the mild dishwashing liquid.

2.   The two ingredients will make a very thick paste. Now start adding water until the mixture has the thickness of sour cream.

3.   Cover the acid stain on the marble with the paste. The layer must be approximately a quarter of an inch thick.

4.   Take the plastic bag or a wrap and cover this paste with it. Tape it from all sides so that no air can get through.

5.   After leaving the paste on for twenty four hours remove the plastic wrap and wash the paste off with water and soap. This will completely remove the acid stain on marble. In case the stain was old and hasn’t completely gone away reapply the paste and repeat the above steps.

Method 3

Things that you will require:

·      A spray bottle

·      An empty bowl

·      Rubbing alcohol

·      Liquid dishwasher

Steps that you will need to take:

1.   Pour about one eighth of the rubbing alcohol into the empty bowl and add three to four drops of the liquid dishwater and mix well.

2.   Pour it into the spray bottle and spray the mixture on the acid stain on the marble. Leave it on for 20 minutes.

3.   Wash it with plain water. If the Acid stain on your Marble hasn’t vanished repeat steps 1 and 2.

Warning

·         This method gives the best results if the acid stain on the marble is fresh.