Granite Stains

[mainsail]

Can anyone help? someone in my family spilled butter from popcorn on my granite kitchen floor leaving a stain. Of course no one fesses up. I have tried vinegar, stone cleaner and sealer, fantastik with no luck. It did come up some but still a couple of visible stains. Any ideas other than replacing the tile? Thank you in advance.

Nick

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[Trask]

Hey Nick,

Hate when that happens. ;) What kind of granite is it?

I'm thinking it might be removed using a poultice. The TYW store carries one by Stone Tech : http://www.tileyourworld.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=22&products_id=69

I've also had good luck with Miracle products liquid poultic. many others are available on the market and are usually very simple to use(they take time) just follow the directions. :tup2:

[Davestone]

Also,if it's been sealed you may only need to clean with a neutral stone cleaner, and let dry,maybe put a fan on it.Oil tends to spread into the stone if not sealed,stop using the homemade remedies, it will only make it worse, and try Trask's recommendation, if the cleaning doesn't help.

[mainsail]

First, thanks for responding so quickly. Other than my home remedies I tried a Tile Lab product a 1 step cleaner and resealer. Helped a little not much. I will give what you said a try. Can you by this at HD? If not I will order it. Also, the granite I bought was from HD and I'm not sure what kind it is. The tile is gray with black speckles. Thanks again for your time and opinion. I will give it a try.

[Trask]

Luna pearl or Almond Mave or something close. Hd sells lots of those granites.Both tend to suck up oils pretty easily...but no matter I think you can save it. Try the neutral cleaner first. I bet you'll have to order any poultice..If you asked the nice person In the Floor & Wall dept @HD there eyes would likely glaze over. :yeah:

[Steven Hauser]

Hi there,
You can make an easy poultice to dissolve the oil.

Take some white paper towels, fold them so there are about an inch or thick and 2" wider than the stain.

Soak them in acetone(not the nail polish varietyand be careful around any painted finish with it) and cover with clear plastic wrap, (I like the self sticking variety) for 24 hours, remove and let air dry. Repeat as necessary. The stain will get wider as it disperses.

You then may want to thoroughly clean the floor with the neutral ph cleaner, and then use an impregnating sealer.

:)

[joh]

For stubborn grease/oil stains poultice with toluene or methylene chloride and poultice powder.

[StoneBuddy]

What is you guys' favorite medium for making a poultice?

I have been turned onto and LOVE diatomaceaous earth(sp), cheap and it works great. Just FYI

[Steven Hauser]

Paper towels for the small stuff, diatamacious earth for more intense work.

[joh]

Diatamacious earth is the way to go. For a homeowner, Paper towels is the only choice that they should have.

[Trask]

I've been into tropical fish for years and use to use a diatom filter..I've always had it under my nose and just recently started using it. Works great.

[GraniteGirl]

Just a note on the paper towels: Make sure they are white and have no designs printed on them. You might end up removing the oil spot and transferring a delightful little apple pattern on your floor in stead :wtf: :lol1:

[Stonehenge]

One Additional quick note, Diatomaceous earth has abrasive characteristics,
so if a natural stone is highly polished and on the softer side a substitute would be prudent.

Sincerely,

Michael of Stonehenge

[doitright]

Hi Guys :)

I like to use the marble poultice from Prosoco. When using acetone for stain removal, I also use clean, pure white, paper towels. :D

Great input everyone! :tup2: