Removing Oil Stains from Marble

Written by April Reinhardt (last updated February 28, 2022)

Marble is stone and, like other stones, it is porous by nature and liquids will seep inside. Always wipe up spills from marble immediately. If you don't catch a spill in time before it sets, however, there are ways to rid the marble of the stain. Follow these tips to remove oil stains from marble:

  • Using lukewarm water, clean the surface with a soft sponge that is barely damp, and then gently rub the marble with a soft cloth to dry.
  • Make a paste of powdered whiting (available at most hardware stores) and hydrogen peroxide, and use it as a poultice to draw the oil away from the marble.
  • Fill the stain with distilled water, and then fashion a poultice from marble-cleaning chemicals to draw the oil away from the marble.
  • When using chemicals as poultices, cover the area with plastic wrap and allow the poultice to dry completely – preferably overnight – and then wipe the poultice away the following day.
  • Once you've removed an oil stain from marble, polish the area with a dry cloth until the surface is glossy.

Consider applying a marble sealer to help provide a barrier against future stains. Very dirty marble can be cleaned with a borax paste, but be careful amount changing the color of the area you're cleaning. Consult with a marble-cleaning expert for more tips on how to clean oil stains from marble. Never use vinegar to clean marble, as the acidity of the material will etch the marble.

Author Bio

April Reinhardt

An admin­istrator for a mutual fund man­age­ment firm, April deals with the writ­ten word daily. She loves to write and plans to author a memoir in the near future. April attend­ed More­head State Uni­ver­sity to pursue a BA degree in Ele­men­tary Edu­ca­tion. ...

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