The best procedure: how to remove adhesive tape glue from marble

Marble is beautiful. Really beautiful. But expensive as well. It is an elegant choice, used as finishing on stairs or other spaces and detailing (from windowsills to worktops) in classic or modern homes.

Marble has class, and with its natural grain it can give character to any space. It is also an extremely durable material, which is proven by the fact that it is still found intact in ancient buildings. But at the same time, it is also a delicate material, which can stain easily, as well get inadvertently scratched.

That’s right: marble has sworn enemies, such as wine, coffee, tomato sauce, yellow spices (from curry to turmeric), hard water and fruit juices: all these products, if not eliminated and promptly cleaned off, can leave major stains on marble surfaces.

That’s not all: another threat that must be taken into proper consideration when it comes to marble is that of glue, such as adhesive tape residue. How can you remove adhesive tape glue from marble effectively, and without doing any damage? Let’s have a look at it together!

How can you remove adhesive tape glue from marble: what not to do

What often happens is using double-sided tape on marble to hang a poster, to place Christmas lights, or to paint the walls of your house. When it comes time to removing the tape, a few days later, very often you will notice that a major section of the adhesive layer has been left on the surface, as the tape’s adhesive sometimes separates from the PVC or paper layer.

How do you get rid of that glue residue? It certainly cannot be left on the marble: the surface will end up being sticky, it will attract dirt, become dark, and ruin the overall appearance of the space.

So, you need to understand how to remove the industrial double-sided adhesive’s glue from the marble without doing any damage. First of all, it is best to avoid using substances or tools which could ruin the surface.

First of all, you should absolutely avoid using non-specific detergents, or acids of any kind, which could stain and seriously ruin the surface. When in doubt, you can use a drop of detergent on a small and inconspicuous part of the marble surface, to check if there are any adverse reactions.

It is also unadvisable to employ abrasive tools, which could scratch the marble.

That said, let’s have a look at how to remove adhesive tape glue from marble with the right tools!

Hot water, soap, and a scraper

Let’s start with the simplest method: in fact, everyone has the necessary ingredients to put into practice this technique for cleaning glue residue from marble in their house. You’ll need to take warm water and mix it with soap: normal hand soap will be just fine.

Then, take a sponge and, after soaking it in soap and water, rub the area affected by the glue generously, wetting it thoroughly. Leave it be for a few minutes and then, when the double-sided adhesive tape glue residue is softened, go back to it and rub with your sponge.

A sponge is not always enough to remove all the glue. For the most stubborn residue it is therefore possible to use a plastic scraper – not metal, which could scratch the marble – like those used to clean car windshields from ice during the winter months.

In the absence of a scraper, you can use an old plastic card, such as an old pool membership or library card.

Vegetable oil

Strange but true, to remove double-sided adhesive tape glue residues from marble surfaces it is also possible to use vegetable oil. Olive oil, seed oil, and so on: it just needs to be a vegetable oil.

Proceed as outlined above, perhaps with the help of a piece of absorbent paper to “oil” the affected part properly. Then, leave the oil be for a few minutes on the glue residue and then get to work with the scraper or plastic card. At the end of it all, of course, you definitely will need to degrease the marble with warm water and soap.

Corn starch

Should you not have any oil on hand – or if you do not wish to use your own reserve of olive oil – you can try to remove the industrial double-sided adhesive tape glue from the marble using corn starch, or possibly talc. These “sand-like” substances will, in fact, make it possible for you to scrape the glue residue off without damaging the marble surface.

Alcohol and water

Alcohol can also help remove glue residue. Be careful though: to be used on marble, alcohol must always be diluted with water, so make sure it isn’t overly aggressive.