Marble and many other natural stones are porous and so often get stained when used as countertops or floor tiles. With professional stone restoration methods, stains are no longer a nagging issue. "Stains won’t damage your stone surfaces if they are sealed with a penetrating sealer after installation," says a stone expert on the Gold Coast.
Types of stains
Water-based stains: Example: some paints
Alcohol-based stains: E.g.: wine, spirits, marker pen
Oil-based stains: Grease, cooking oil etc.
Metal-based stains: Iron or rust
Organic Stains: Coffee, tea, milk, food, bird droppings, make-up, tobacco.
Biological Stains: Mould, mildew, lichen.
Tips for safeguarding your stone against staining
Firstly, you need to know what type of stain has appeared on your stone surface. If you’re not sure, please take a snapshot of it and send it to a professional stone restoration specialist and they’ll identify it and decide upon a stain removal method. Never attempt yourself to remove stains that can aggravate the damage to your costly stone surfaces. Always consult a reputed stone care company to use sophisticated stain removal methods.
What you can do is to treat the stain ideally before it dries. Blot the spill with a paper towel as soon as possible. Don't wipe the spilled area as it will spread the spill. Flush the affected stone surface with plain water and mild soap and rinse. Now call the stone care professional to remove any spills that might have gone beneath the surface.
Avoid using chemicals unless recommended, as these may damage the stone or set the stain if not appropriate.
Don’t apply heat especially on albumin based stains (containing protein) such as blood or milk as it may cook and set the stain.
How to remove your stains
The stain removal method commonly used by a stone restoration specialist is the application of poultice treatment. A poultice is made with a powder and a special treatment product, which is determined by the type of stain on your stone surface.
The poultice process of stain removal
The poultice powder is mixed with the treatment product to form a paste, which is then thickly applied to only the stained area. It is covered with plastic wrap, the edges sealed and small holes made to allow the powder to dry. As the mixture dries it draws the stain from the stone and absorbs it. This process can take up to 48 hours and sometimes may need to be repeated several times. After removing the poultice the area is washed with pure water and polished with a soft cloth and a cleaning product suited to the stone. This method is effective for removing common stains such as coffee, iodine, blood, chewing gum, ink, paint, rust, acidic liquids, efflorescence (a white substance which can develop on some stone), graffiti, water, mould, mildew, lichen, dull and coloured spots.
For any clarifications on stain removal and other stone care issues, you can now call the well-known stone restorers in Australia on 1300 627 626.
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