Which type of stains might happen to your pure white marble tops.
Pure white marble stains types and ways to take care of them.
Pure white marble. Marble is metamorphic rock that forms when limestone is subjected to extremely high heat and pressure. It is composed primarily of calcium carbonate and usually contains other minerals. Vietnam pure white marble only forms when the level of calcium carbonate is over 98%, with low impurities, which gives it the pure whiteness without any visible veins. White marble is a porous material. Even though Vietnam pure white marble medium-grained to fine-grained, which means the pores on the surface are extremely small, evenafter sealed, spills of certain substance can still, in some cases, leave stains of etches on the white marble surface. For white marble to maintain its extraordinary look for the next generations, precautions and maintenance need to be carried out. The first step in proper white marble maintenance is to understand your material’s geological composition, as well as the reasons for the damages on marble surface. This information will help you identify what cleaning methods to use and how best to care for your pure white marble. The following are some of the most common types of stains on white marble and first steps to clean them
1. Oil-based Products that are oil-based include grease, tar, cooking oil, milk, cosmetics, etc. Most of these products are composed of some material, often pigmented, suspended in an oily vehicle. When such a product is applied to a surface, the oil tends to penetrate into pores of white marble. The pigmented matrix may rest on the surface, while the oil is absorbed into white marble, generally causing a darkening effect
The oil stains usually appear as circles and are often dark in the center. Especially on a surface as bright as Vietnam pure white marble dinner table or kitchen countertop, these brownish or dark stains will immediately cause sight on the first look and may cause annoyance. What best to do when you notice the stain is to wash the surface of the white marble with ammonia, rinse with plenty of water, then repeat. Or cover the area with a 1/2 –inch-thick paste of 20 percent hydrogen peroxide and powdered whiting from the paint store. Best keep the area damp by covering it with plastic wrap sealed with masking tape. After 10 to 15 minutes, rinse with water again but avoid any wood trim. Finally buff the area and the polish it
2. Organic Commonly organic products that may cause stains are coffee, tea, fruit, tobacco, paper, food, urine, leaves, bark, bird droppings, etc. Stains caused by organic products are normally of pinkish-brown color and may disappear after the source of the stain has been removed from the pure white marble countertop or coffee table
However, a few types of stains caused by fruits that are acid-based like orange juice, grapefruit juice, lemons… may need extra actions. Using store-bought stains remover for stones may leave a halo around the rim of the stain. The best solution yet is to clean up with 12% hydrogen peroxide (hair bleaching strength) and a few drops of ammonia
3. Metal Iron or rust stains are orange to brown in color and follow the shape of the staining object such as nails, bolts, screws, cans, flower pots, metal furniture. Copper and bronze stains appear as green or muddy-brown on the pure white marble floors and counters in bathroom, living room… and result from the action of moisture on nearby or embedded bronze, copper or brass items
Metal stains must be removed with a poultice. A poultice is a liquid cleaner or chemical mixed with a white absorbent material to form a paste about the consistency of peanut butter. The poultice is spread over the stained area to a thickness of about 1/4 to 1/2 inch with a wood or plastic spatula, covered with plastic and left to work for 24 to 48 hours. The liquid cleaner or chemical will draw out the stain into the absorbent material. Poultice procedures may have to be repeated to thoroughly remove a stain. However, deep-seated, rusty stains are extremely difficult to remove and your white marble table or countertop may be permanently stained. If you attempt to remove them a few times and nothing seems to be happening, you might have to call in a professional
4. Biological Biological growths such as lichens, algae, moss and fungi growing on white marble walls is usually an indication that there is excess moisture in or around the white marble tiles. These growths should be removed, as they attract moisture to the surface of the white marble walls or white marble floors and hold it there, which can lead to more serious problems. Lichens and mosses in particular, produce oxalic acid which can damage certain types of white marble, causing an unhealthy look for the pure white surface
When cleaning pure white marble always use clean water. Rain water is less damaging then tap water, since it does not contain as many chemicals.Pour the collected rain water into a pump sprayer to avoid transferring any dirty water to marble surface. Spray the piece with water, soaking it completely. Mix one tablespoon of non-ionic soap with one gallon of water, add one tablespoon of ammonia to the mixture. Use only a soft bristled brush when scrubbing white marble surface, always move in an orbit motion randomly all over the stone. This will help to eliminate any streaking and avoid erosion on the stone. Once you have scrubbed off the surface, rinse thoroughly. Avoid cleaning your white marble walls of floors more than once every 18 months. Instead, rinse with clean rain water to remove bird droppings and other debris whenever needed
5. Wine and Ink Wine, ink and dyes are generally water-based or alcohol-based. They are readily absorbed into dry white marble when they are spilled or applied to the surface. As the water or alcohol base evaporates, the pigment residue is left deposited on and possibly below the surface.The staining can be any color depending on the type and source of the dye. For example, red wine leaves purple-pink stain while ink or dyes cause dark brown to lighter color on the pure white marble floor or table. This type of stain is likely to be extremely localized around the area of contact, so the best to do is to spot the stain and immediately remove it
With ink stains on white marble countertops or coffee table, use only non-acid-based bleach or hydrogen peroxide of 20%. The procedure is similar to other stains. Remember to apply the swab soaked in cleaning agent directly to the wine or ink stain, working about an inch at a time. Between sections, wipe with the damp cloth or sponge to prevent the cleaning agent from sitting on the pure white marble for too long and potentially damaging the surface. Repeat the process if the ink mark is not sufficiently lightened
Paint Normally, latex and acrylic paints will not cause staining; however, oil-based paints, linseed oil, putty, caulks and sealants may cause oily stains. Small amounts of paint on a pure white marble surface can be removed with lacquer thinner or scraped off carefully with a razorblade. Heavy paint coverage should be removed only with a commercial “heavy liquid” paint stripper available from hardware stores and paint centers. These strippers normally contain caustic soda or lye. Do not use acids or flame tools to strip paint from stone. Paint strippers can etch the surface of the white marble, leaving behind foggy whitespots and making the pure white marble surface less glossy; re-polishing may be necessary. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for use of these products, taking care to flush the area thoroughly with clean water. Protect yourself with rubber gloves and eye protection, and work in a well-ventilated area. Use only wood or plastic scrapers for removing the sludge and curdled paint. There are many different agents of deterioration may have a degrading effect on the appearance and structural soundness of white marble. Understanding the reasons for weariness of your pure white marble, as well as keep in mind the tips for maintenance will ensure a long-lasting and elegant marble countertop
