Lily pollen stain on white marble fireplace surround - help!

dizzydizzy_2

Any suggestions for cleaning orange lily pollen stain from white marble fireplace surround. I made the mistake of trying to wipe the pollen away with a piece of kitchen towel which just seemed to grind it into the surface. I have since cleaned it with a damp cloth which has helped a bit but there is definite yellowing. It's not my fireplace as I'm housesitting, so any advice would be very welcome. Thank you.

TTT_2

Hi Dizzy, I have used sellotape before but only on pollen that had not been wiped in, don't know whether it would work here but worth a try? marble can be quite 'open grained' if you know what I mean, you may have to use something that will lift the stain out, be careful with any abrasive cleaner you may be tempted with as it could leave obvious marks.
I would call either a stone mason or memorial supplier as both will have experience of what cleaners are safe with this sort of stone.

Errata

Handy hint in August Prima suggests lifting the pollen off with sellotape or a vacuum cleaner nozzle, and if it's been rubbed in dab with a cotton wool tip moistened in methylated spirit. Good luck

dizzydizzy_2

thanks for the advice...I hooked up the curtains and let the sun shine onto the stain for a day and it miraculously faded away!

tiamai_d

was going to say that pollen breaks down eventually.

lily pollen ALWAYS remove with sellotape, never ever get it wet!

Your actually better removing the whole stamen before it bursts open anyway, makes the flower last longer.