One of the most devastating things that can happen to your beautiful stone worktops is for the surface to become stained. There are a number of foods and beverages that can stain stone surfaces. Some more easily than others. If, despite all your efforts, you notice a stain on your worktops, here are some tips to remove it.
Stains versus etching
Before you begin the process of removing any stains, make sure that it is indeed a stain and not something else. Stains will always appear darker than the stone surface whereas other types of damage (i.e. etching) will appear lighter. So, if the area is lighter in colour than the surrounding worktop area, it’s not a stain.
Removing the stain
The most popular DIY approach to stain removal is known as the poulticing method. This method makes use of an absorbent substance that is mixed with a chemical. The absorbent material should have a greater absorbency than the type of stone you have installed. The chemical substance serves the purpose of lifting the stain and you should only use substances that are suited for the particular stone that you have installed. Always use the absorbent agent and chemical substance as per the instructions. Once done, make sure that you clean your surfaces thoroughly.
If this does not take care of the problem, you can call a professional to take a look. If the stain is particularly deep in the stone, there might not be much that you can do about it. However, it is worth asking an expert all the same. Remember, prevention is always the best approach. If you clean up spills as soon as they happen, this will be the best approach. In addition, don’t forget to reseal your worktops regularly.