The Property Masters removes stains and restores damaged marble across Dubai and the UAE. The first step is correctly diagnosing the problem, because a stain and an etch mark are not the same thing: a stain is a liquid absorbed into the pores and is drawn out with a poultice, while an etch is a dull patch where acid has chemically burned the surface and must be honed and re-polished. We identify which you have, treat it with the right method, and restore the shine — priced per project with a fixed quote after a free site visit.
Stain or etch? The diagnosis that decides everything
Most marble problems are one of two completely different issues — treating the wrong one wastes time and money.
- Stain liquid soaked into the porous stone; usually looks darker than surrounding marble; cure is to draw it back out
- Etch dull, often lighter patch where acid has chemically reacted with the surface (citrus, vinegar, wine, harsh cleaners, hard-water residue); nothing is in the stone — the surface itself is damaged; must be physically re-finished
We diagnose which one you have before touching the floor — the methods are opposite.
Drawing out stains with a poultice
A poultice is an absorbent paste mixed with the correct chemical for the stain type, applied over the mark, covered and left to dwell — typically 24–48 hours. As it dries it pulls absorbed liquid up out of the pores.
- Organic stains (coffee, tea, wine, food) — hydrogen-peroxide-based poultice
- Oil-based stains (cooking oil, grease, cosmetics) — solvent-based poultice to break down and lift the oil
- Rust and metallic stains (metal furniture or fixings) — specific rust-removing poultice; hardest to remove; may need repeating
- Ink, paint, mould and hard-water marks — each treated with the appropriate agent
Fresh stains have the best removal rates. Old, deeply set stains may need more than one cycle — we are honest about what is realistically recoverable.
Repairing etch marks and dull patches
No poultice fixes an etch — it is surface damage.
- Hone with progressively finer diamond abrasives to remove the damaged layer
- Re-polish back to the surrounding sheen so the repair disappears into the floor
- Widespread etching or a tired floor: hone and polish the whole area for an even, uniform finish
Crack, chip and structural repair
- Colour-matched epoxy or resin filling for cracks and chips
- Hone and polish flush so the repair blends in
- Loose or lippaged tiles and damaged grout lines addressed so the floor is sound as well as good-looking
Yellowing and dullness
- Usually caused by old topical coatings breaking down, ingrained dirt or trapped moisture
- Restoration strips the old finish, deep-cleans and re-polishes to bring natural colour and clarity back
Why professional removal beats DIY
- Acidic kitchen cleaners, vinegar and lemon etch the surface further
- Abrasive scrubbing dulls the polish
- Wrong poultice chemistry can drive a stain deeper or bleach a halo around it
- A stain and an etch demand opposite treatments — guessing adds a second problem on top of the first
Protect the result — seal afterwards
Restoration brings marble back; sealing keeps it that way. Freshly honed marble is more absorbent — apply an impregnating sealer once the work is done. Our marble floor sealing page explains penetrating sealers, polishing, crystallisation and the re-seal cycle. Marble in wider projects: interior design hub, fit-out works and commercial interior design.
Pricing: per project — type and number of stains, extent of etching or cracking and floor area all vary. The only honest figure is one given after seeing the stone. We provide a fixed quote after a free site visit and assessment (prices exclude 5% VAT). Book your free site visit on +971 50 928 5264.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a stain and an etch mark?
A stain is a liquid that has soaked into the porous marble and usually looks darker than the surrounding stone — it is removed by drawing it out with a poultice. An etch is a dull, often lighter patch where acid has chemically burned the surface; nothing is absorbed, so it must be honed and re-polished. We diagnose which you have before treating it, because the methods are opposite.
How does a poultice remove a stain?
A poultice is an absorbent paste mixed with the correct chemical for the stain type. It is applied over the mark, covered and left to dwell, typically 24 to 48 hours. As it dries it pulls the absorbed liquid up out of the stone's pores and into the paste, which is then removed. The chemistry is matched to the stain — peroxide-based for organic, solvent-based for oil, and so on.
Can you remove rust and coffee stains from marble?
Yes. Coffee, tea and wine are organic stains, usually lifted with a hydrogen-peroxide poultice. Rust and metallic stains need a specific rust-removing poultice and are among the harder ones, sometimes needing more than one application. Fresh stains have the best removal rates; we will tell you honestly what is realistically recoverable on older, deep stains.
Can deep or old stains always be removed?
Not always. Fresh stains have very high removal rates, but stains that have been set for a long time may only lighten, and some — certain rust or dye stains — can be stubborn. We assess the stone first and give a realistic expectation rather than promising results we cannot guarantee.
Should I seal the marble after stain removal?
Yes — strongly recommended. Freshly honed or cleaned marble is more absorbent and therefore more vulnerable, so applying an impregnating sealer after restoration protects it from the next spill. We can seal in the same visit and advise on the right re-seal cycle for your floor.
How much does marble stain removal cost in Dubai?
It is priced per project, because the type and number of stains, the extent of any etching or cracking and the floor area all affect the work. The only accurate figure is one given after seeing the stone, so we provide a fixed quote after a free site visit and assessment, quoted excluding the 5% VAT applied in the UAE.