Q: Our home is custom and less than a year old. We purchased St Lorent (sp?) black/red veined marble...expensive and lovely. We clean it twice weekly and wash off interior daily with water. It has dull streaks (like water falling down) on the... Read More

Black marble, especially Negro marquina, is very susceptible to spalling. Spalling is a condition in which the stone flakes off and falls apart. Several factors can cause spalling: excess moisture, choice of setting material and method, the polishing... Read More

Q. Yellow flower petals from Arizona trees recently stained my outdoor limestone tiles. Is there a way to remove this type of stain? The yellow does not blend well with my light grayish tiles. A. It's a shame something natural and harmless like... Read More

Q. Grey grout stain has penetrated the surface of some of the ceramic wall tiles in our bathroom. It’s been a few weeks now, and I’ve tried scrubbing with water and a mild cleaner, but the stain is still there. Is it possible to remove... Read More

Q. I spilled some coffee in my tile and it won‘t come off. I tried floor cleaning solution, vinegar and water, vinegar and baking soda, watered bleach, hydrogen peroxide. Nothing seems to work. I am pretty sure it is porcelain tile. Once you... Read More

I have new carpet and it got coffee stains. Please help me guide on how to remove coffee stains from my new carpet ? Read More

Q. Can acrylic be stripped off marble floors? A. Yes, acrylic or any sort of topical coating can be stripped off of a marble floor. However, the process can be problematic, so it is not advisable to attempt this as a do it yourself project. Stripper,... Read More

Q. We have a polished travertine table where someone spilled salsa. We wiped it off right away but the finish has been dulled. What can we do to repair it? A. What you are describing are not stains, they are acid etches. The stone has been... Read More

Depending on how thick the urethane is you might be able to grind it off. Grinding can be difficult and can clog your abrasives. The best solution will be to chemically strip the tile. Use a stripper designed for removing polyurethane. Be careful... Read More

Q: I recently had ghibli granite countertops/backsplash installed and noticed a smearing/haze that looks like the granite was not thoroughly cleaned prior to being sealed. I took a rag and acetone and cleaned an area of the backsplash and resealed... Read More