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Expert Gives Tips

What to Look Out for When Removing Limescale Stains from Marble

Marble lime
Unsightly limescale stains can quickly accumulate on marble surfaces, especially in the kitchen and bathroom. However, extreme care should be taken when cleaning Photo: Jodie Johnson/Getty Images

February 2, 2025, 4:06 pm | Read time: 3 minutes

Whether in the kitchen or bathroom, marble surfaces are back in fashion. However, the stone is sensitive and is not so easy to clean. Read on to find out the best way to deal with limescale stains.

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Marble immediately makes rooms look more upmarket and elegant. The stone looks particularly beautiful in the kitchen as a worktop or in the bathroom on the wall and on the floor. Fashion blogger and influencer Jessie Weiß proves on her Instagram channel that marble is now back in fashion. However, the delicate stone is not as easy to clean as other surfaces. Limescale, in particular, must be carefully removed from marble.

Be Careful with Marble and Limescale

If you want to clean marble and remove limescale, you need to be careful. The reason for this is the material. “Both undesirable limescale deposits and high-quality marble surfaces are chemically made of the same material: calcium carbonate,” says Bernd Glassl from the Industrial Association for Personal Care and Detergents (IKW).

And that is also the problem. Because calcium carbonate, also known as calcium carbonate, is dissolved by acids. This means that marble surfaces become dull due to acids and lose their attractive appearance. According to the expert, vinegar and citric acid are unsuitable cleaning agents in this case. Baking soda does not help either, as it is ineffective against limescale.

Wipe Marble Surfaces Dry Immediately

There is also an alternative solution, but it must be implemented immediately. “If you don’t have soft tap water, it’s best to wipe wet marble surfaces dry immediately,” advises Glassl. This prevents unwanted limescale from settling in the first place.

If limescale does build up on the marble, you can try something else at your own risk, according to the expert. Light limescale deposits can be removed mechanically and with an alkaline cleaner, such as an all-purpose cleaner. According to Glassl, alkaline cleaning agents are available from specialist retailers that dissolve limescale using complexing agents.

If it is a shiny polished marble, you should first try very carefully with a non-scratch scouring sponge. If this does not help, you can use fine steel wool – but again at your own risk. However, Glassl advises: “It is strongly recommended that you first test whether the method is gentle enough in an inconspicuous area!” In the case of extensive limescale deposits on floors, it is better to call in the experts.

Alternatives to Marble

The German Natural Stone Association writes that impregnation is recommended for marble and limestone in splash water areas. This can reduce moisture absorption. The impregnation protects against discoloration but is not an acid protection.

If you have the choice, you should fall back on more robust alternatives in the bathroom and kitchen, they say. One example would be quartzite. According to the association, this is much better suited to these areas due to its acid resistance and is indistinguishable from marble for laypeople.

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Extreme Caution when Cleaning Marble

However, it is not only limescale stains that need to be removed with care from marble surfaces. Care must also be taken when cleaning all other types of soiling. The cleaning agent must never be acidic. The pH value must never be below 7, and the product must not contain any surfactants or soaps.

With material from dpa

This article is a machine translation of the original German version of MYHOMEBOOK and has been reviewed for accuracy and quality by a native speaker. For feedback, please contact us at info@myhomebook.de.

Topics #amex Cleaning
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