Most surfaces materials are porous. Some very dense stones such granite are often thought to be impervious to liquids, but leaving a tablespoon of oil on a granite countertop or paver for a couple of hours will amost certainly leave a very deep oil stain. The oil is literally sucked into the material through millions of microscopic pores or capillaries.

Why your stone / tile paving is so prone to staining

Most surfaces materials are porous. Some very dense stones such granite are often thought to be impervious to liquids, but leaving a tablespoon of oil on a granite benchtop of paver for a couple of hours will amost certainly leave a very deep oil stain. The oil is literally sucked into the material through millions of microscopic pores or capillaries. Sealing with STAIN-PROOF™, our invisible, breathe-able impregnating sealer will make a deep water and oil-repellent barrier within the surface which will permanently solve this problem and make it easier to clean and maintain the surface.

Tips for removing stains

Most stains can be removed using standard household products. If the stain is particularly difficult to handle, a commercial stain remover can be used. Stains of every kind can affect tiles and grout joints. The lists that follows provides some of the most common staining problems and potential solutions. Removers should never be mixed together as harmful by-products may result.

Precautions:

With any harsh cleaning product (acidic or alkaline), test the product on a small area of the surface, at least 24 hours beforehand, to ensure it won't discolour or adversely affect the surface. Avoid using acidic substances on calcite based stone, including marble, limestone and travertine - these will be damaged immediately on contact with acids. After using an acidic cleaner, the surface should be neutralised with a mild alkaline solution - some baking soda or detergent dissolved in water should do the trick, then rinsed thoroughly with clean water and left to dry before attempting to seal., our invisible, breathe-able impregnating sealer will make a deep water and oil-repellent barrier within the surface which will permanently solve this problem and make it easier to clean and maintain the surface.

PROBLEM

REMOVER(S)

Blood

Baking soda, bleach, hydrogen peroxide

Chewing gum

Ice cubes, paint remover

Coffee

Baking soda, bleach, household cleaners, hydrogen peroxide

Dyes

Bleach

Fats

Detergent, sal soda

Fruit juices

Baking soda, bleach, household cleaners, hydrogen peroxide, oxalic acid

Grease

Detergent, plaster of paris, sal soda

Ink

Baking soda, bleach

Iodine

Ammonia

Lipstick

Bleach, household cleaners, hydrogen peroxide

Mildew

Ammonia, baking soda, bleach

Motor oil

Plaster of paris

Mustard

Bleach

Nail polish

Bleach, nail polish remover

Paint

Paint remover

Rust

Baking soda, scouring powders

Tar

Ice cubes, paint remover

Tea

Bleach, household cleaners, hydrogen peroxide

Tough stains

Oxalic acid

Vegetable oil

Baking soda, detergent

Water/mineral stains

White vinegar

Wax

Ice cubes, paint remover

Wet paper

Bleach

Wine

Baking soda

Poultice cleaning method for marble surfaces

A Poultice is a cleaning method used to get the best performance out of cleaning agents possible. It helps remove tough staining such as fat, grease, oil, and other stains such as coffee, tea, cola, or organically based dyes. For the Poultice to work correctly it must be left on the surface for at least 24 hours. The theory behind the method is that the cleaning agent needs this time to draw out the stain. When using this solution always use a test piece of material first to ensure there are no adverse effects.

Directions for general cleaning of marble (dirt, grime): To clean general dirt and grime off marble simply use a cleaning agent such as a diluted bleach with water and clean the surface with a mop, cloth or sponge and rinse with clean water.

Directions for cleaning tough stains (fat, grease, oil, or similar): Use a powder based detergent and water to form a paste, place onto surface over the affected area and cover with a clean damp cloth. Then apply a plastic sheet over it and tape the sides to ensure no moisture is released. Leave for at least 24 hours then gently scrape off the agent using a rubber scraper, clean water and a dry clean cloth. Once the area has been cleaned you can polish it with a dry clean towel.

Directions for cleaning other stains (coffee, tea, and cola organically based dyes or similar): When using a poultice to clean different stains from surfaces the method remains the same, what changes is the cleaning agent used. Soak a handful of paper towel in a mixture of 20-30 per cent regular household bleach (e.g. White King) with clean water. Apply the bleached soaked paper to the affected area then apply a damp clean cloth followed by a plastic sheet to cover the entire area, tape the sides not to let any moisture out. This poultice should be in place for a minimum of 12 hours to two days. When checking the stain remove plastic sheet and lift a corner of the paper, if the desired result is not reached repeat the process for approximately one to 12 hours. When finished wash the area with clean water and dry and polish with a dry clean towel.

Before using a poultice always perform a test on an area or sample piece of marble to ensure there are no adverse effects. In some instances it may cause discolouration of surface.