Tripod member osamaomran asks:
Me and my wife are a bit upset as our marble table in the kitchen is stained... Do you know a way to bring it back to how it was before?

Handy Girl Al suggests:
Marble is slightly porous, so any stain removal is best done as soon as possible. However, here are some easy hints for stain removal, beginning with the simplest. Cover stains with salt. Brush off and re-apply until the stain is soaked up. If the stain persists, pour sour milk over the salt and leave for several days. Wipe with damp cloth.

Persistent stains may require a poultice. Here's how you make a poultice:

• Soak white paper towels with one of the following solutions: For organic stains, try 20-volume hydrogen peroxide or full-strength ammonia. For oil-based stains, use acetone. A commercial rust remover may remove rust stains.
• Plop the towels on the stain for one to 48 hours (depending on how stubborn the stain is); re-moisten if necessary.
• Such aggressive cleaning may leave etch marks or dull the finish. Re-polish marble using water and tin oxide.

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