Stains on Stone Surfaces - Dos and Don'ts of Stone Care & Restoration

Marble and other common natural stone surfaces are porous, so stains can occur if spills are not addressed properly on time. Professional stone restorers can remove any stains on marble, granite etc. using the right products and methods. 

Our first step is to check whether the stain is organic or oil-based, and based on it we decide on a suitable stain removal method.   

The best way to minimise damage from stains is to professionally seal the stone surfaces after installation. The level of stains or spills the natural stone can be exposed to will be a decisive factor in selecting the type of sealer to be used.

Given below are some guidelines from The Marble Man stone restorers to safeguard your beautiful stone surfaces from staining:

STAIN DOs

1. Identify the stain if possible as this will determine the treatment. It could be water based (some paints), alcohol based (wine, spirits, marker pen), oil based (grease, cooking oil), metal based (rust), organic (coffee, tea, milk, food, bird droppings, make-up, tobacco), or biological (mould, mildew, lichen).

2. Consult your stone care professional and tell them as much as you can about the stain. They will advise you on how to best treat the area. This is the safest way to avoid damaging your stone and to ensure that the stain is completely removed. A simple solution may be provided for you to try yourself, but if not, removal by a technician may be recommended.

3. Test the area first if treating the stain yourself, to ensure the treatment is suitable, even if using a recommended treatment or product.

4. Treat the stain ideally before it dries or as soon as possible with a recommended treatment or product only.

STAIN DON'Ts

1. Avoid using chemicals unless recommended, as these may damage the stone or set the stain if not appropriate.

2. Avoid using heat especially on albumin based stains (containing protein) such as blood or milk as it may cook and set the stain.

Application of Poultice- the Stain-removing Paste for removing stains from natural stone
The most effective and common method used by a stone care professional to remove a stain from natural stone is to apply a poultice. A poultice is made with a powder and a special treatment product, which is determined by the type of stain.

The powder is mixed with the treatment product to form a paste, which is then thickly applied to only the affected 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 etc.

Call our office today on 1300 627 626 to arrange an obligation free stone restoration quote. Visit our website to get a clear idea of stone restoration processes.

Common Maintenance Issues with Natural Stone and Their Repair or Restoration Methods

Need to fix a damaged or defective part of marble tile? Want to remove a stain on your lovely stone surface that doesn’t get properly cleaned...? Known for its sleek surface and lasting stability, marble remains a preferred natural stone material in households. But it also needs routine inspection and maintenance to keep the shine and sheen on marble and other natural stone surfaces in your home.

Here’s a query found in a forum: “There was really nice marble tile installed in the house that I live in about a year ago. It doesn't get much traffic. Since it was put in, I noticed an odd-shaped spot that gets darker with wear. Once I clean it, it lightens up again - but it's right in a walkway where I come in the house, so I have to clean it rather often. I'm wondering what caused it and how to fix it. May be a defect with the tile coating? Anyway, I want to fix it, and I know there must be some sealant that I can put on it to restore the gloss and keep it from getting dirty. I'd prefer that, obviously, to having to replace that one tile. Any advice would be appreciated!”

This seems to be a case of etching on marble, which is a common issue. Severe etch marks where the spot is noticeably rough to the touch may need professional restoration. It's all a matter of degree of damage and marble is a natural product so you can never know for sure until you start to repair the area.

Floor sealing normally stops liquids and dirt from staining them. But once your stone has been etched, you may now go for re-polishing, which will completely restore the beautiful natural look and feel of your damaged tile. You can get more professional and precise information from The Marble Man team who has over 24yrs of stone care service in QLD, NSW and other regions. Here is the particular link to their site which will solve your etching issue!

Do you want to professionally clean the tiles (marble, granite, Travertine etc.) or grout in your kitchen or bath? It’s not complicated anymore! Sealing the marble or limestone floors involves thoroughly cleaning the stone to remove all in-ground dirt and excess materials on the surface. This is achieved by using special detergents and rotary scrubbers with all materials wet vacuumed dry. The floor is then left to dry overnight. The following day two coats of penetrating sealant are applied which soak into the stone and dry, thereby sealing the pores from foreign materials.

Exclusive cleaning (Tile and Grout) and stone restoration services are available in Northern NSW, the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Sydney, Newcastle, Canberra and other areas throughout QLD and NSW. Restore, refinish, and repair (repairing chips, nicks, scratches, gouges, cracks and holes): Granite, Marble countertops, tile, columns, Tubs, Sinks etc. 

Get your free stone restoration quote now by contacting us on 1300 627 626. Visit The Marble Man today for comprehensive stone restoration and maintenance ideas.

Stain Removal and Other Cleaning Procedures for Marble and Stone Surfaces

Marble, granite or other natural stones in your home, office, or commercial building help to improve the look and feel of the place. Natural stone floors, stone worktops and other stone tiles don’t need sophisticated maintenance procedures if they are properly looked after on a regular basis.  

Stains that occur on your precious stone surfaces can be broadly classified as oil-based stains (from grease, tar, cooking oil, cosmetics etc.), organic stains (caused by coffee, tea, fruit, tobacco, paper, food, urine, leaves, bark, bird droppings etc.), inorganic metal stains (from iron, rust, copper, bronze equipment or appliances), biological stains (by algae, mildew, lichens, moss, fungi) and ink stains (from magic marker, pen, ink etc.). 

If you want to remove stains from the stone tiles by your own means but are not able to identify the stains, call The Marble Man on 1300 627 626 or send them some snap shots of the stained surface. An expert technician will guide you whether you will be able to remove the stain by DIY method or it needs professional help to do the same.

As said in some previous blog articles, here are some common points to keep in mind to safeguard your stone bechtops or countertops. Ensure that you put coasters under glasses, which carry alcohol or citrus juices. Trivets or mats are to be placed under hot dishes, and placemats underneath ceramics, silver, or other objects which will scratch the surface. Use non-slip mats or area rugs at door entrances and frequently used stone floor areas so that dust and dirt may not come directly in contact with the stone. Never use vinegar, lemon juice or other cleaners that contain acids on calcareous stones like marble, travertine, limestone, and onyx.

Visit The Marble Man website regularly to get updated about cleaning procedures and recommendations for your marble or granite countertop, marble floors, stone floors, bathroom tiles and stone surfaces in the exterior of the house.

There are different cleaning materials for siliceous stones (such as granite, slate, sandstone, quartzite, brownstone, and bluestone) and calcareous stones (such as marble, travertine, limestone, and onyx) because their crystal structures and chemical combinations are quite dissimilar.

The Marble Man is not only the No.1 stone restoration specialist in Australia, but they are also the authoritative source of information on standards of workmanship and natural stone maintenance practices. They also market a wide range of stone care products and have certain guidelines for their application.

Simple Procedures to Remove Different Stains on Natural Stone Surfaces

Most people are having the biggest fear of maintaining the natural stone. Like any other type of counter tops made of materials like wood, natural stone also requires same level of maintenance and care.

Granite counter tops are comparatively strong and resilient to stains. As a preventive measure immediately wipe off the spills on the counter top. Do not leave the spills overnight. They are prone to stain by oil or acidic materials so blot these spills soon. The following tips can help you to remove different type of stains on the natural stone counter tops: 

• Spills and stains: Use a paper towel to blot the spill immediately. Wiping will spread the stain. Flush with mild soap and plain water several times. Dry the area using soft cloth. Repeat it till all traces of spilled liquid is removed. 
• Stain Removal: First of all identify the type of stain.  If you do not know the cause for the stain, play detective and identify. Is the stain near a plant, whether any cosmetics used, any food service area, what colour, shape and pattern? You may also take a snap shot of the stain and send it to The Marble Man who’ll advise you what action is needed. 
• Surface stains can be easily removed using appropriate cleaning product or chemicals. Deep seated stubborn stains require poultice or professional stone restoration service. We shall see how to deal with different stains using appropriate household chemicals or by preparing and applying a poultice.   

Types of Stain and cleaning procedures

• Oil based stain- It may be caused by grease, milk, cosmetics and cooking oil:. Use soft cleanser liquid with bleach OR mineral spirits OR ammonia OR acetone. 
• Organic stains- It may be caused by coffee, paper, food, urine, tobacco, fruit, bark, bird droppings. It may be pinkish brown. If happened outdoors, mostly it’ll get removed by sun and rain. If indoors, use 12% hydrogen peroxide and few drops of ammonia. 
• Metal: Metal stains can be removed with a poultice. Deep seated stains of rust are extremely difficult to remove and needs professional service. 
• Biological stain: Algae, moss, fungi, lichens and mildew cause this stain for which use diluted ammonia Or Hydrogen peroxide Or bleach. Do not mix ammonia with bleach as this creates a lethal and toxic gas emission. 
• Ink stain: It may be caused by ink, magic marker or any pen. Clean with acetone or lacquer thinner for dark coloured stones; use hydrogen peroxide or bleach for light coloured stone. 
• Paint: Small amount of stain with paints can be removed by carefully scrapping with razor blade or using lacquer thinner. Heavy paint stains can be removed with heavy liquid stripper available in paint / hardware stores. Follow the manufacturer directions; do the work in ventilated area with rubber gloves. Acrylic paints or latex will not cause any stains; only oil based paints, putty, linseed oil and sealants cause stains. 
• Water spots and rings: This is caused by accumulation of water on the surface and should be attempted by stone restoration experts like The Marble Man who service the QLD and NSW regions.  
• Etch Marks: They are caused by spilling acidic materials on the stone surface. Contact stone care specialists in the Gold Coast, Sydney, Newcastle etc such as The Marble Man for efficiently removing etch marks.  

The well experienced team of professionals at The Marble Man can do all types of stone repair, stone maintenance, stone countertop repair, natural stone restoration etc. Call them now on 1300 627 626.

Pre-Sealing of Marble and Other Natural Stone

As a homeowner, you always would like to retain the sheen and colour of your marble and natural stone floors and tiles. However, frequent cleaning is not enough. Marble and natural stone can be best maintained with pre-sealing. Trusted and professional marble maintenance companies in Australia like The Marble Man recommend the pre-sealing of marble and natural stone.

An Insight into Pre-Sealing…

Pre-sealing is a technical term used to describe sealing of marble tile or stone before laying. Pre-sealing has a number of benefits. It diminishes the porosity of the tile or the stone and works as a release for grout.

The main purpose of pre-sealing is to stop the instances of water marking. Once water marks appear on the stone, it is an irreversible staining process. Chemicals with cements and highly alkaline fixing materials also stain the marble and natural stone. The moisture thus created is generally absorbed into the dry stone. Chemicals add minerals that dissolve the existing minerals in the stone. When the moisture dissolves, it migrates via the stone and has the ability to work its way to the surface of the stone for drying. The minerals are later left behind in an uneven manner.

As a result of the above chemical reaction, the colour of the stone gets changed. The contaminants in the stone display a much darker colour, while rest of the original stone colour stays. This type of stain is practically impossible to remove even with the best possible cleaning efforts. The stain is generally seen on the edge of the stone where the grouting takes place. The mark surrounds the tile and often gives the illusion of a picture frame. There are other stains that leave blotches on the stone and it’s difficult to remove them completely even with the best cleaning methods. Pre-sealing by professionals will help you prevent the occurrence of such marble stains.

The Marble Man's Professionalism & Pre-Sealing

The Marble Man is a trusted marble and natural stone restoration company in Australia. It enjoys the patronage and trust of several residents in the region. The professionals are experts in natural stone maintenance and restoration. They give you valuable tips on how to retain the original shine and sheen of marble and natural stone. Pre-sealing services are also provided by this trusted Company. By sealing the floors and tiles of your home, you effectively can prevent the occurrence of stains. There are different sealants used by these professionals to prevent staining.  

The Marble Man provides you top quality sealing and this is why it is one of the widely sought after marble stone restoration and maintenance companies in the nation today. For more information and assistance on marble and natural stone maintenance, please visit their Website or talk to a friendly staff member on 1300 627 626.