How to Remove Tobacco Stains from Marble

Rohit said, “I am the front office in charge in a 2 star hotel. So I need an article that is about how I remove tobacco nicotine, eg. Rajnigandha cigarettes, stain from a wash basin. Thanks, Rohit”

Table of Contents:

Removing the Tobacco Stain
Additional Tips and Advice
Sources

Over time, indoor cigarette smoking can stain virtually anything. However, if the stain is in one small spot, it is most likely a burn mark, not a stain. For stains, begin with step 1 below. For burn marks, skip to step 4 below.

Removing the Tobacco Stain

You Will Need:

Dish liquid
Water
An absorbent powder
Plastic wrap
White vinegar
A cloth
Hydrogen peroxide

Steps to Remove the Tobacco Stain:

Try washing the marble with dish liquid. If the stain is on the surface, this may remove it. If it does not, continue with the steps below.¹
If washing the stone with dish liquid does not work, make a poultice with the dish liquid. Add a squirt of dish liquid and a small amount of water to 1/2 cup of an absorbent powder, such as flour or cornstarch, to make a thick paste. Spread the paste over the area, then cover the area with plastic wrap. Leave the poultice on the stain for several hours or overnight, then take off the plastic wrap and allow the paste to dry. Gently scrape off the paste once it is dry and repeat the process if needed.²
Another option is to use white vinegar. Soak a cloth with the vinegar and lay the cloth over the stain for several hours. Remove the cloth, clean off the area with water, and repeat the process if needed.¹
To remove stubborn tobacco stains or burn marks, use a peroxide poultice. Combine hydrogen peroxide and an absorbent powder, such as flour or cornstarch, to make a paste, then apply the paste over the spot and cover it with plastic wrap. Let the poultice sit for several hours before removing it.²

Additional Tips and Advice

Simple Green is a commercial cleaner that can be effective against tobacco stains. Use the Stone Cleaner version, which is safe for marble.
Some types of marble can be damaged by a strong alkaline cleaner, such as dish liquid, or by a strong acidic cleaner, such as vinegar, so it is best to test a cleaning solution on a small, hidden area first to look for any adverse effects. If the marble is damaged by a cleaner, use Marble Restorer.³