Most surfaces materials are porous. Some very dense stones such granite are often thought to be impervious to liquids, but leaving a tablespoon of oil on a granite benchtop of paver for a couple of hours will amost certainly leave a very deep oil stain. The oil is literally sucked into the material through millions of microscopic pores or capillaries. Sealing with STAIN-PROOF, our invisible, breathe-able impregnating sealer will make a deep water and oil-repellent barrier within the surface which will permanently solve this problem and make it easier to clean and maintain the surface.

Tips for removing stains

Most stains can be removed using standard household products. If the stain is particularly difficult to handle, a commercial stain remover can be used. Stains of every kind can affect tiles and grout joints. The lists that follows provides some of the most common staining problems and potential solutions. Removers should never be mixed together as harmful by-products may result.

Precautions:

With any harsh cleaning product (acidic or alkaline), test the product on a small area of the surface, at least 24 hours beforehand, to ensure it won't discolour or adversely affect the surface. Avoid using acidic substances on calcite based stone, including marble, limestone and travertine - these will be damaged immediately on contact with acids.

After using an acidic cleaner, the surface should be neutralised with a mild alkaline solution - some baking soda or detergent dissolved in water should do the trick, then rinsed thoroughly with clean water and left to dry before attempting to seal.

PROBLEM

REMOVER(S)

Blood

Baking soda, bleach, hydrogen peroxide

Chewing gum

Ice cubes, paint remover

Coffee

Baking soda, bleach, household cleaners, hydrogen peroxide

Dyes

Bleach

Fats

Detergent, sal soda

Fruit juices

Baking soda, bleach, household cleaners, hydrogen peroxide, oxalic acid

Grease

Detergent, plaster of paris, sal soda

Ink

Baking soda, bleach

Iodine

Ammonia

Lipstick

Bleach, household cleaners, hydrogen peroxide

Mildew

Ammonia, baking soda, bleach

Motor oil

Plaster of paris

Mustard

Bleach

Nail polish

Bleach, nail polish remover

Paint

Paint remover

Rust

Baking soda, scouring powders

Tar

Ice cubes, paint remover

Tea

Bleach, household cleaners, hydrogen peroxide

Tough stains

Oxalic acid

Vegetable oil

Baking soda, detergent

Water/mineral stains

White vinegar

Wax

Ice cubes, paint remover

Wet paper

Bleach

Wine

Baking soda