Removing Greasy Smudges From Marble Using The Cotton Swab Method

THE CLEANING OR REMOVAL OF STAINS FROM STONE MAY INVOLVE THE USE OF LIQUIDS, DETERGENTS OR SOLVENTS WHICH MAY RUN OFF ONTO ADJACENT MATERIAL, DISCOLOR THE STONE OR DRIVE THE STAINS DEEPER INTO POROUS STONES. USE THE PRODUCTS AND TECHNIQUES DESCRIBED HERE ONLY FOR THE COMBINATIONS OF DIRT/STAIN AND STONE SPECIFIED.

PART 1—GENERAL

1.01 SUMMARY

  1. This procedure includes guidance on cleaning greasy smudges from marble by absorbing the stain with cotton swabs. This method is typically used for small localized greasy smudges.
  2. Grease stains are usually light brown or yellow in color.
  3. See 01100-07-S for general project guidelines to be reviewed along with this procedure. These guidelines cover the following sections:
    1. Safety Precautions
    2. Historic Structures Precautions
    3. Submittals
    4. Quality Assurance
    5. Delivery, Storage and Handling
    6. Project/Site Conditions
    7. Sequencing and Scheduling
    8. General Protection (Surface and Surrounding)

These guidelines should be reviewed prior to performing this procedure and should be followed, when applicable, along with recommendations from the Regional Historic Preservation Officer (RHPO).

  1. For additional information on poulticing, see 04455-02-R.
  2. For general information on the characteristics, uses and problems associated with marble, see 04455-01-S.

PART 2—PRODUCTS

2.01 MATERIALS

NOTE: Chemical products are sometimes sold under a common name. This usually means that the substance is not as pure as the same chemical sold under its chemical name. The grade of purity of common name substances, however, is usually adequate for stain removal work, and these products should be purchased when available, as they tend to be less expensive. Common names are indicated below by an asterisk (*).

  1. Ethyl Alcohol:

    1. Other chemical or common names include Ethanol, Ethyl hydroxide, Ethylic alcohol, Methyl carbinol, Cologne spirits*, Fermentation alcohol*, Grain alcohol*, good spirit*, Rectified spirit*, Spirits of wine*.
    2. Potential Hazards: FLAMMABLE.
    3. Available from chemical supply house, hardware store or liquor store.
    4. Denatured alcohol, which carries no liquor tax, should be a satisfactory substitute for ethyl alcohol for stain removing purposes.

    -OR-

    Methyl Alcohol:

    1. Other chemical or common names include Carbinol, Methanol, Methyl hydrate, Methyl hydroxide, Methylic alcohol, Colonial spirits*, Columbia spirits*, Green wood spirits*, Manhattan spirits*, Pyroligneous spirit*, Pyroxylic spirit*, Standard wood spirits*, Wood alcohol*, Wood naphtha*, Wood spirit*.
    2. Potential Hazards: TOXIC AND FLAMMABLE.
    3. Available from automotive supply distributor, chemical supply house, dry cleaning supply distributor, drugstore or pharmaceutical supply distributor, hardware store, paint store, or photographic supply distributor (not camera shop).
  2. Mineral water
  3. Cotton swabs

2.02 EQUIPMENT

  1. Glass or ceramic container for mixing the solution
  2. Wooden utensil for stirring the ingredients

PART 3–EXECUTION

3.01 EXAMINATION

  1. Examine the marble surface CAREFULLY to determine the cause of staining before proceeding with any cleaning operation.

3.02 ERECTION, INSTALLATION, APPLICATION

  1. Thoroughly rinse the area to be treated with mineral water.
  2. Pour a small amount of mineral water into the container to be used for mixing. Add an appropriate amount of ethyl or methyl alcohol to the mineral water and stir the solution with a wooden utensil. NOTE: The water/alcohol ratio should be small, as the primary function of the water is to slow down the evaporation of the alcohol.
  3. Saturate a cotton swab in the solution and daub the stained area.
  4. The oil from the stain should be absorbed into the cotton swab. As the swab becomes soiled, substitute clean swabs and continue.
  5. Repeat as necessary until the stain has dissipated.

NOTE: A polished marble surface may require re-polishing after treatment. See 04455-02-R “Repolishing Marble” for re-polishing techniques.