THE PRIMARY STEPS OF STAINS REMOVAL

THE PRIMARY STEPS OF STAIN REMOVAL (FIRST AID)
Identify the stain type.
Any spill should be cleaned as soon as possible. Bolt spill with paper towel or clean rag. At this stage it is important only to bolt (Pls take care: wiping should be avoided.).
Use only cold water & stone soap or a natural cleaner. Rinse the area several times. Most of the stains will disappear. If still present, stain will be removed by applying chemical Poultices.
Consult a stone restoration specialist or your stone supplier if in doubt or otherwise go ahead with Poultices.
Chemicals should be used to remove stains only as the last resort, as natural or soft environment friendly soap cleaning method is best suited for natural stone surface. Always perform a test in inconspicuous area first to determine the result of chemical cleaning.
Chemicals, which are used as stain removers, can be classified in three categories:
Solvents (No pH determination): e.g., Mineral spirits, Xylene or Chlorinated solvents. Solvents dissolve grease, chewing gum, lipstick etc.
Bleaches (Oxidants): e.g., Hydrogen Peroxide, Ammonia, and Acetic acid etc. Bleaches discolour stains.
Absorbents: e.g., blotting paper, Chalk, Powder telcom etc. These absorb fresh oil & grease stains.
POULTICE : As we have used this word so many times, its necessary to know; What is Poultice ???
As we know the stains are absorbed in the stone surface. Poultice is a material apart from chemicals, which is used to reabsorb stain from the stone surface.
Different Poultice materials are;
Chalk (whiting, available easily in hardware shops)
Methyl cellulose
Talk
Sepiolite (hydrous magnesium silicate)
Diatomaceous Earth Clay (Fullers earth)