First few minutes
Just happened? Do this first
- Blot any fresh residue with a paper towel, pressing rather than rubbing.
- Judge the damage: light browning may lift, while charred or deep burns usually won't.
- Wear rubber gloves and ventilate the room before using any strong chemical.
- Call a stone restorer early if the stone looks charred or deeply burned.
A scorch on marble has affected the stone itself, so the first thing to judge is how far into the surface the mark goes. Light marks sometimes lift after a poultice left a day or two, and difficult ones may need several rounds. Deep rust or copper marks are the hardest, and some never come out completely.
A rust or copper mark on marble is the one to take slowly, because a poultice needs time to draw the stain out. Use a stone-safe cleaner on the surrounding area so you don't dull the polish on a countertop or marble floor tile. If a burn on marble is still there after a couple of poultice rounds, call in a stone pro rather than trying something stronger.
Before you start
What marble & natural stone can take
Safe to use1
- Water
Use with care5
- Chlorine bleach
- Oxygen bleach
- Solvents (alcohol, spot removers)
- Scrubbing and abrasives
- Heat, once the stain is out
Avoid1
- Acids (vinegar, lemon)
8 items
What you'll need
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- Paper towelsBlot the residue up without spreading it. (opens Amazon)
- Mild soap and waterThe first flush that lifts loose residue from the stone. (opens Amazon)
- Soft clothDries the stone without scratching the polish. (opens Amazon)
- Neutral stone cleaner or stone soapThe only cleaner that is safe on marble. (opens Amazon)
- White absorbent powder (kaolin, diatomaceous earth, whiting or talc)The base of the poultice that draws the mark out. (opens Amazon)
- Plastic wrapKeeps the poultice damp for the full 24 to 48 hours. (opens Amazon)
- Distilled waterRinses the poultice off without leaving minerals behind.
- Rubber glovesProtects your hands from the cleaner and powder. (opens Amazon)
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6 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 62 minutes
Blot and judge the damage
Blot any fresh residue with a paper towel, pressing down rather than rubbing. Then look closely at the mark, because light browning may come out while charred or deep burns usually can't.
Careful. Wiping a fresh spill spreads it across the stone.
Step 2 of 65 minutes
Flush with mild soap and water
Flush the area with water and mild soap, then rinse it several times so no soap film is left behind. Dry it with a soft cloth before you go on.
Step 3 of 65 minutes
Clean with a stone cleaner
Wash the area with a neutral stone cleaner or stone soap, then dry it with a soft cloth. Work the cleaner over the mark gently, without scrubbing.
Careful. Acidic cleaners, including vinegar and lemon, etch marble. Keep bleach-containing cleaners off the stone too, since they dull the finish.
Step 4 of 62 minutes
Check the mark at a low angle
Hold a light low across the surface and look at the spot from the side. A dull patch is an etch rather than a stain, so it needs polishing and not stain removal.
Tip. If the mark is a color rather than a dull patch, move on to the poultice.
Step 5 of 624 to 48 hours
Apply the poultice
Mix a white absorbent powder (kaolin, diatomaceous earth, whiting or talc) with your neutral stone cleaner into a peanut-butter paste. Spread it 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick over the mark, cover it with plastic, and leave it for 24 to 48 hours.
Tip. Seal the plastic at the edges so the paste stays damp for the full time.
Step 6 of 6
Rinse and repeat if needed
Scrape off the dried poultice, rinse the area with distilled water, and dry it. If the mark is still there, repeat the poultice, since difficult stains can take up to five applications.
If you'd rather buy than mix
Best products for scorch on marble & natural stone
Look for a neutral stone cleaner or a stone soap, and a white absorbent powder such as kaolin, diatomaceous earth, whiting or talc for the poultice.
Granite Gold® Daily Cleaner
How we picked these: each product is made for this type of stain, its maker doesn't warn against using it on marble & natural stone, and its directions fit the steps above.
Finished the steps? How does it look?
Nice work. Let it dry completely and check it again in good light. Here is what done looks like:
How to tell it's really gone →A faint mark usually needs one more round, not a stronger product.
If the stain was already dried or set, the method changes.
Old, dried or set-in stains →When to call a professional →How to tell it's working
A light mark should look paler after each rinse, so check it once the poultice is off and dry. If it looks the same after two or three rounds, the damage is probably deeper than a stain and a restorer is the better next step.
What changes for yours
Adjust for your marble & natural stone
Polished marble countertop
A polished countertop shows a dull patch more clearly than anything else, so check the cleaned area at a low angle before you call the mark gone. Heat is the usual cause of scorching on a counter, and a trivet under hot pots and pans is the simplest prevention.
Keep the poultice to the mark itself rather than spreading the paste across the counter. Check under the plastic once a day so the paste stays damp without running, and rinse with distilled water when the 24 to 48 hours are up.
Marble floor tile
A dropped pan or a hot appliance can leave a scorch on a floor tile, and the cleaning steps are the same as for a countertop. Lay the plastic flat over the poultice and tape the edges, so the paste stays damp for the full 24 to 48 hours.
Don't let the paste dry out partway through, because a dry edge can leave part of the mark untreated. Once the poultice is off, rinse the tile with distilled water and dry it with a soft cloth before you judge the result.
Marble with a dull spot after cleaning
A dull patch that stays after cleaning is usually an etch, and the poultice won't fix it. Etches need polishing, and a large or deep one is a job for a professional stone restorer.
If you're not sure whether the mark is an etch or a stain, check it at a low angle before applying any poultice. Only a true stain responds to the poultice, so don't keep applying one to a dull spot.
Marble with a rust or copper mark
Rust and copper stains are among the hardest marks on marble, and deep ones can leave the stone permanently stained. Try the poultice once to see how much lifts, since difficult stains can take up to five applications.
If the mark is still there after repeated poultices, or it's deep, stop and call a professional stone restorer. Professional restoration is the right route for deep rust and copper stains.
Old, dried or set-in stains
An old scorch on marble has had time to settle into the stone, so one poultice may only lighten it. Expect to repeat the poultice rather than make it stronger, because the mark usually needs more than one round.
If the mark has dried hard, rewet the poultice with your stone cleaner so the paste stays workable, then leave it under plastic for the full 24 to 48 hours. Repeat up to five applications, rinsing with distilled water and drying between rounds.
Light marks usually come out while deep ones leave permanent discoloration, so a mark that won't shift after five rounds is likely part of the stone now. Most stains can be pulled out during professional restoration, so that's your next step.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies work on scorch on marble & natural stone?
Plenty of household remedies sit in the cupboard, but marble and other calcareous stone react badly to several of them. Only mild soap, a neutral stone cleaner and a poultice are worth using, since marble reacts badly to several of the others.
Skip5Avoid1
What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't scrub with scouring powder or pads
Scouring powders, creams and scrub pads can scratch the stone, and scratches make any etch look worse. Use a soft cloth and the poultice instead.
Don't sand or use steel wool
Sanding, steel wool and bleaching can remove or damage the polished finish. A scorch on marble is better handled with the poultice, which works without stripping the surface.
Don't mix bleach and ammonia
Combining the two creates a toxic, lethal gas, so never use them in the same spot or bucket. Rinse the area thoroughly and ventilate the room between any two products.
Don't use a rust remover with hydrofluoric acid
Hydrofluoric acid attacks all stone, so a rust remover that contains it is off limits. For rust on marble, a professional stone restorer is the safer route.
When to call a professional
Call a professional stone restorer for etched areas you can't fix, deeper scratches and nicks, deep rust or copper stains, and stains that remain after repeated poultices. A restorer can polish out etches and pull out marks that a home poultice can't reach.
Questions
How do I clean a burnt pizza stone?
A pizza stone isn't marble, so the marble method doesn't carry over to it. The Pots, Pans & Bakeware guide covers bakeware, so start there.
Can a scorch mark on marble come out?
Light browning often can, using the steps above. Charred or deep burns usually can't, and a deep burn can leave permanent discoloration.
How long does a marble poultice take?
Leave it under plastic for 24 to 48 hours. Difficult stains can need up to five applications, so plan on several days.
Why does marble look dull after cleaning?
That's usually an etch rather than a stain, which means it needs polishing and not stain removal. Check the spot at a low angle, and call a stone restorer if the dull patch stays.
Can I use a poultice on polished marble?
Yes, but a poultice may dull polished stone, so check the surface after each round. Stop if the polish looks duller than before.
Is heat damage on marble permanent?
Deep heat damage usually is, since light marks may come out while deep ones leave permanent discoloration. A trivet under hot pots and pans is the easiest way to avoid it.
Will rust come out of marble?
Deep rust is extremely difficult to remove, and the stone may be permanently stained. Call a professional stone restorer for deep rust or copper stains.
Scorch on other materials
Other stains on marble & natural stone
Start from the bigger picture
How we know this
Every method, amount and warning here comes from university extension services, industry bodies and product makers. We read them, check every step for unsafe combinations and changed amounts, and write it up so you can follow it.