Before we can treat what looks like a stain, we need to know what caused it so that we can ascertain if it’s stained or damaged.
What’s the difference, and how can you tell?
Use these guidelines to determine whether the spots you are seeing are in fact stains or if they are areas of damaged stone. The plain fact is that you cannot simply remove damaged granite like you could with a stain, it may require work by a professional. If you are unsure, consult a professional stain remover at Kenny's Carpet One before proceeding.
Damage:
•An alteration in the chemical makeup of the stone not caused by the stone absorbing an agent (coffee, wine, etc), but rather caused by damage to the surface.
•Acids leaving “rings” or “water spots” that cannot be removed because they’ve corroded the surface.
•You cannot remove a “stain” that is actually damage as it requires repairing/removing the damaged area.
Stains:
•Discoloration from the stone absorbing a staining agent (coffee, tea, oil, etc.)
•When the staining agent is removed, most stains are gone.
Removing Stains from Granite
First, it needs to be determined if the damage is to the stone or to the protective coating/sealant. The best way to remove a stain is with a poultice.
A poultice consists of two materials: 1) Paper towels or other rags/cloths that absorb well, household talcum powder and 2) a chemical to remove the stain. Here are 5 different kinds of stains that can be treated with 5 different combinations of poultices.
Categories of Stain:
There are 5 major categories of stains: Organic stains, earth and inorganic stains, oil stains, biological stains and metal stains.
Here are some examples of how to remove them:
1. Stain: Organic (coffee, soda, mustard, gravy, tea, etc.) Chemical: Hydrogen Peroxide (30%-40% by volume)
2. Stain: Earth and inorganic materials (ink, dyes, dirt, etc.) Chemical: Rubbing Alcohol for ink; Hydrogen Peroxide (30%-40% by volume) for all others
3. Stain: Oil (butter, oils, etc) Chemical: Pure Acetone (avoid using nail polish remover as different brands have different ingredients)
4. Stain: Biological (mold, mildew, etc.) Chemical: Bleach
5. Stain: Metal (rust, copper, etc.) Chemical: Iron-out
The Removal Process:
1. Create the poultice by mixing the talc powder and hydrogen peroxide. It should have a think consistency like a putty.
2. Apply the mix to the stained area, keeping it only on the stain. The layer of paste should be about one fourth of an inch thick and overlap the stain about a half an inch.
3. Cover the area with plastic wrap and tape the edges down. Allow it to set for 24 hours.
4. Remove the tape and plastic wrap only, leaving the poultice in place.
5. Allow this to remain on the stain until it is completely dry. This can take anywhere from a couple of hours to a couple of days.
6. When the paste is completely dry, use a plastic scraper to scrape away the paste.
7. Wipe remaining paste away with a clean cloth.
8. Clean the area as normal and dry with another clean cloth.
If the stain remains, you may need to repeat steps 2-6 several times, especially for oily stains, each time removing more of the stain.
Just like you would treat a stain on a shirt or garment, test a small inconspicuous area first before going onto a larger and more visible area.
Professional help
But just remember like anything else, this may be something you want to call a professional about.
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