# Stains in marble or corian? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 31, 2011, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stains-in-marble-or-corian/583816 "2011-05-31T02:53:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![singular1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ba9def/32.png) [@singular1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/singular1)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2011, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stains-in-marble-or-corian/583816/1 "2011-05-31T02:53:11Z")
We have a bathroom vanity/sink countertop, cream in color, that has become stained. It is in the part of the house that was added in the seventies. It seems quite porous - is there a product or procedure specifically for cleaning this material? ---
**Author:** ![MikeG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikeg/32/4329_2.png) [@MikeG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeG)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2011, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stains-in-marble-or-corian/583816/2 "2011-05-31T03:26:22Z")
If it seems porous it’s most likely synthetic marble rather than Corian. The first thing to try is non bleach Soft Scrub. Make a paste with that and some Bon Ami and slather it on the stain, use a little piece of crumpled up tin foil as a dam to contain it. Let that sit for ten minutes or so then rinse. The you can scrub with some fresh poultice. WARNING: Try this on in inconspicuous part of the top first like the edge where you cant see it to make sure it wont lighten it too much. ---
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2011, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stains-in-marble-or-corian/583816/3 "2011-05-31T06:43:34Z")
First you need to determine the material - each will require different cleaners and techniques. If it seems porous it’s probably Corian. Marble is more porous but won’t feel like it to the untrained eye. Here’s the [Corian website](http://www2.dupont.com/Surfaces/en_US/products/corian/corian_care.html) on cleaning. They also approve Fanstastik with Bleach. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![singular1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ba9def/32.png) [@singular1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/singular1)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2011, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stains-in-marble-or-corian/583816/4 "2011-05-31T13:17:13Z")
Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![MikeG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikeg/32/4329_2.png) [@MikeG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeG)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2011, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stains-in-marble-or-corian/583816/5 "2011-05-31T13:23:27Z")
I’ll repeat, if it seems porous it’s NOT corian. I specified NON bleach Soft Scrub because it’s much less likely to over lighten the top. Real marble is extremely porous and will soak up chemicals like a sponge, don’t use these methods on a natural stone top. Even an untrained person can tell the difference between real marble and corian or synthetic marble. Synthetic marble feels like plastic and has a gloss sheen. Since the top was installed in the 70’s the chances are slim to none that you have an engineered stone top like Zodiaq or other quarts surfacing unless the previous owner had other indicators of being time travelers. Corian will have a semi matte sheen to it and no patterning to it. MikeG, kitchen and bath designer and installer for 18 years. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2011, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stains-in-marble-or-corian/583816/6 "2011-05-31T14:30:58Z")
MikeG is right about real marble being porous. there are specific building adhesives that are OK for marble, the ordinary adhesives will have components that will penetrate the marble and may show up on the surface later. in addition to looks i think real marble will feel cooler because it transmits heat away from you faster than synthetic marble.