Stain & Scratch Removal

Marble, granite and limestone are very absorbent materials. If they have not been properly sealed, or even if they have, some stains from your kitchen and household always seem to find a way in. Here is an overview of some things you can do inexpensively to get rid of stains.

First, know what the stain is. If you don't, play detective. Is it located near a plant? What color is it? What is the shape or pattern? What goes on in that area? Next, test a small area with a poultice. A poultice is a mud pack for stone, or Biore. The object is the same, i.e. pull the offending material slowly out from where it does not belong. To make a poultice, prepare the area by putting on some distilled water. If you are using a powder, mix the chemical and powder to a thick paste the consistency of peanut butter.

If using paper toweling, soak in the chemical and let it drain. Don't let the liquid drip. Also, use only a white towel as you don't want to risk the colorful pattern transferring over to the stone. Apply the poultice to the stained area about 1/4 inch thick, overlapping the stained area by about one inch. Cover with clear plastic and tape the edges. Allow to dry thoroughly, usually 24-48 hours. The drying process pulls the stain out of the stone, into the poultice material If it is still wet, remove the plastic and let it dry. Remove the poultice from the stain. Rinse with distilled water and buff dry with a soft cloth. Repeat poultice application if stain is not removed. It may take many applications for difficult stains.

For rust removal, Iron Out often works and is available in supermarkets. For grease and oil, Tide or Soft Scrub. Goof Off(solvent based) works on ink stains. Water spots are often removed by buffing with 0000-grade steel wool from the hardware store. Scratches need to be ground, honed and polished with equipment and materials best used by trained professionals. You can call The Ground Floor at (800) 862-7253 for a free stain removal guide.