Stain Removal Tips

Stain Removal Guide

Natural stone is porous by nature and will stain. Because stone is porous you can sometimes remove the stain by reversing the staining process. If you re-absorb the stain into a medium, you can remove it from the stone. The typical medium is called a poultice. Stains should be treated as soon as possible. As time goes by it becomes increasingly difficult to remove the stain. Attempts to remove stains should not precede stain determination. Using the appropriate removal technique is important to achieve desired results. You must ask questions to determine what the stain is. What is the color? Where is it located? How long has it been there? Is it associated with the main traffic areas? Are plants near the stain? Etc.. Test patches will need to be performed. In many cases it will take several tests. Once the stain has been identified the following procedures can be followed.

ALWAYS TEST A SMALL AREA TO ENSURE THE DESIRED RESULTS

Typical Stains

ORGANIC: Coffee, tea, tobacco, food, cosmetics, plant, food.
INORGANIC: Rust, iron, bronze, steel, metal.
BIOLOGICAL: Mildew, mold, fungus and algae.
OIL BASE: Grease, cooking oil, food stains, tar, body oil
INK: Ball Point Pen or Magic Marker.

Iron Stains
Clean with the following:
1. MiraSeal Liquid Poultice

Ink Stains
Poultice with one of the following depending on application:
1. MiraSeal Liquid Poultice
2. MiraSeal Mira Strip
3. Light Colors: Bleach or Hydrogen Peroxide
4. Dark Colors: Acetone or Lacquer Thinner

Oil Base Stains
Clean with one of the following depending on application:
1. MiraSeal Mira Clean #1
2. MiraSeal Tile & Grout Cleaner
3. MiraSeal Liquid Poultice
4. MiraSeal Mira Strip
5. Bleach
6. Household Detergent
7. Ammonia
8. Mineral Spirits

Organic Stains
Clean with one of the following depending on application:
1. MiraSeal Mira Clean #1
2. MiraSeal Tile & Grout Cleaner
3. MiraSeal Liquid Poultice
4. 35% Hydrogen Peroxide. Pour directly on the stain and then add a few drops of ammonia. Leave until bubbling stop.

Biological Stains
Clean with one of the following depending on application:
1. MiraSeal Mira Clean #1
2. MiraSeal Tile & Grout Cleaner
3. Diluted Ammonia
4. Bleach