781-793-0700

Removing pet & urine stains from marble

May 20, 2016

Home 9 DIY 9 Removing pet & urine stains from marble

We know it’s unpleasant, but, a question we see online often is how to get urine stains out of marble.

Pee happens. Whether your sons have finally mastered the fine art of aiming, the puppies have been trained or you’ve improved the lighting in your bathroom, your marble has suffered.

Strange tales of marble and urine: A recent “strange-but true” story of a German court ruling on a case where a landlord tried to retain part of a tenant’s rent deposit for allegedly damaging the marble floor of a toilet by sprinkling it with urine is a great example. The tenant could have saved some aggravation by trying our poultice first!

Be assured, this is not an uncommon problem and is an issue in homes, medical buildings, historic buildings and municipal restrooms.

When dealing with urine stains on marble, there are two primary issues: the stain and the etching that is caused by the acid.  You can remove the stain by using the poultice recipe below. If you have considerable etching (dulling of the sheen of the marble) you will need to have a professional stone restorer come in and re-hone and polish the floor.

As always, if you feel like you need a pro, Boston Stone Restoration can help restore your marble and perhaps offer coatings that will save your marble going forward.

NOTE: THE CLEANING OR REMOVAL OF STAINS FROM STONE MAY INVOLVE THE USE OF LIQUIDS, DETERGENTS OR SOLVENTS WHICH MAY RUN OFF ON ADJACENT MATERIAL, DISCOLOR THE STONE OR DRIVE THE STAINS DEEPER INTO POROUS STONES.

 

How to clean marble stained with urine:

STONE POULTICE RECIPE:
1. Hydrogen peroxide-40% by volume.
2. Gloves
3. Unscented baby powder or talcum powder
4. Plastic cup
5. Plastic wrap
6. Razor blade
7. Masking tape
8. Plastic putty knife
9. Stirrer stick
STEPS:
1. Pick a test area (approx. 16″x16″) that has the most damage or staining to it.
2. Combine the peroxide and the baby powder in the cup and mix until it is a paste about  the consistency of peanut butter.
3. Apply the paste to the stained area with the putty knife- about 1/4″ thick.
4. Cover the area with plastic wrap.
5. Tape down the edges using masking tape.
6. Use the razor blade to cut one or two slits in the plastic so it can breathe.
7. Allow the paste to stay on the area for 24 hours.
8. After 24 hrs., use the plastic putty knife to scrape off the now dried paste.
9. Rinse the work area with water and dry with a paper towel.
10. After the surface is completely dry, compare the test space to the rest of the area and evaluate your progress.
11. You should see a distinct difference.
12. Repeat the process until desired result is achieved.
Note** Do not be afraid that you will harm your stone by working on it. The rule of thumb with poulticing is “if the stain can go in, then it can come out”.
Note ** Remember to wear your gloves!
Good luck- and happy poulticing !!

Get your project quoted today

Related posts

Updated: Boston Stone Restoration Service Area Map

Boston Stone Restoration has been providing high-quality stone restoration, renovation, and...

Saltillo Tile Restoration in Brockton, MA: A Success Story

Last week, our team of experienced stone care professionals took on a stone restoration job for a...

A History of Restoring Marble and Natural Stone Surfaces On Nantucket

As a local business, we understand the importance of creating a lasting impression. That's why we...

2023 Stone Care Guide for Homeowners

Proper stone care and maintenance require understanding the geological classification and...

How to Refinish Stone Floors

Refinishing stone floors can be a great way to breathe new life into an old, worn-out floor. Stone...

Stone Restoration: A Science in the Hands of Expert Teams

Stone restoration is a delicate process that requires precision and attention to detail. At Boston...

Stone Restoration in Harwich, MA

Over the last few years we've photographed 8 projects in Harwich alone. 8! We love our Cape &...

DIY Corian Countertop Restoration Steps

Corian Professional Restoration in Massachusetts and Southern New England Did you know you can...

Can I save my stone countertops?

Natural stone surfaces like marble, limestone, travertine, and soapstone can be honed and polished...

Gravestone Symbols & Meaning

  While we wouldn’t want to walk in one alone at night, cemeteries are full of beautiful natural...