Genesee Cut Stone & Marble Company - Architectural Stone Products

Why Does Stone Stain?

Properly sealed natural stone countertops, vanities or flooring will resist absorption. Occasionally, lighter colored granites and marble may show some staining. Because stone is porous you may be able to remove the stain by reversing the absorption process. If you apply a medium that can reabsorb the stain, you can remove it from the stone. A typical medium is called a poultice.

Should I Treat Different Stains Differently?

Using the appropriate removal technique is important to achieving the desired results. You should never attempt to remove a stain until you determine the material that caused it. You should test the stain as often as necessary to correctly identify the material. Once it has been identified, use the appropriate removal technique described in the Stain Treatment Reference Chart below.

Can I Treat Old Stains?

Stains should be treated as soon as possible after they occur. As time goes by, it becomes increasingly difficult to remove the stain. Many stains become so deeply imbedded that a chemical solution will need to be added to the poultice to dilute and/or react with the stain.

How Do I Mix a Poultice?

The process can be simple. Here is a list of the materials you may need:

Cotton Balls

Paper Towels

Fabric

Household Baking Soda
Mineral Spirits

Bleach

Household Detergent

Ammonia

Hydrogen Peroxide

Various GranQuartz Cleaners

Sparks SR-5 Stripper

Plastic Wrap

Non-marking Tape

Mix the household baking soda with distilled water or the chemical required (according to the chart below) to make a paste with a consistency like peanut butter. The paste should be applied approximately 1/8 to ¼ inch thick, overlapping the stain by ½ to1 inch. Cover the area with plastic wrap and secure the edges down with non-marking tape. The poultice must dry completely. As the poultice dries it will pull the stain from the area into the paste. Drying time is usually 24-48 hours depending on the type of poultice being utilized. If the stain has improved but is not completely gone, re-apply the poultice. Multiple applications may be required.

STAIN TREATMENT REFERENCE CHART

Stain Category	Stain	Clean With One of the Following:	Poultice With One of the Following:
Organic	Coffee Tea Tobacco Blueberries Beets Strawberries Red Wine Jam/Jelly	GranQuartz 515C Periodic Intensive Cleaner 35% Hydrogen Peroxide Pour directly on the stain and then add a few drops of ammonia. Leave until bubbling stops.	Poultice with same as left
Inorganic	Iron Rust Bronze Steel Metal	GranQuartz 725C Granite Cleaner and Rust Inhibitor Note: 725C will take the polish off marble	None
Biological	Mildew Mold Fungus Algae Moss Grass	GranQuartz 515C Periodic Intensive Cleaner Diluted Ammonia or Bleach (Do not mix ammonia and bleach together)	None
Oil Base	Grease Cooking Oil Tar Body Oil Butter/Fats Lipstick Shoe Polish Vegetable Oil Candle Wax	GranQuartz 631C Heavy Duty Porcelain & Grout Cleaner Bleach Household Detergent Ammonia Mineral Spirits (Do not mix ammonia and bleach together)	Mineral Spirits Sparks SR-5 Stripper
Ink	Ball Point Pen Magic Marker	None	Sparks SR-5 Stripper Bleach Hydrogen Peroxide