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Removing Stains from Natural Stone |
Removing Stains From Stone, Tile and Concrete
Oh, those nasty stains! How do you go about removing that red stain from the fruit drink your son spilled on the floor? What do you use to remove black marker ink from your white marble floor? Does lipstick stain? The list can go on and on.
Removing stains from marble, granite and ceramic tile can prove difficult. There are, however, several precautionary measures you can take:
Any spill should be cleaned as soon as possible. Blot spills with a paper towel or clean rag. At this stage, it is important only to blot; wiping a spill may spread it over a larger area, making a larger mess. Use only cold water and stone soap or a neutral cleaner. Rinse the area several times. If a stain is still present, a chemical poultice may have to be applied.
Avoid using chemicals of any kind until you know which chemical cleaner to use. Certain chemicals will react with the spilled material and could make the stain permanent.
Marble, granite and certain ceramic tile are porous materials. If not thoroughly sealed, they will stain. The only way a stain can be removed is to literally pull it out of the stone or ceramic with both a chemical and material that will absorb the stain. This chemical absorbent-material combination is what we call a poultice.
Poultices are commonly powder or cloth materials that can be mixed with a chemical and placed on top of the stain. Refer to the table below for some of the more common poultice materials. Clays and diatomaceous earth are safe and readily available, but do not use whiting or clays containing iron with an acidic chemical; iron will react with the acid, and may cause rust staining. It is best to purchase powders that are designed specifically for stone and tile. Consult a stone restoration specialist or your stone supplier if in doubt.
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