What Is A Poultice?

A poultice is basically a paste that is used to remove stains from natural stone. It is normally a powder that is mixed up into a paste, then applied over the stained area to try and draw the stain out of the stone.

The whole idea of a poultice is to get the stain to rise back up through the pores of the stone and come to the surface. Once the poultice dries, it can help pull the staining material into the paste rather than leaving it sitting deep in the stone.

It is commonly used on marble, granite, limestone, travertine, sandstone and other porous natural stone surfaces where the stain has gone below the surface and normal cleaning will not remove it.

How Does A Poultice Work?

A poultice is applied directly over the stained area as a paste. Once it has been applied, the area is usually covered with plastic or polythene and taped off so it is sealed.

This helps keep the poultice working over the stain for longer. The idea is to make the stone sweat a little, open the pores and help bring the staining up to the top of the stone.

Normally, this is done over a period of about 24 to 48 hours. Once that time has passed, the poultice is removed and the area is rinsed down.

For some stains, one application may be enough. For more stubborn stains, the process may need to be repeated.

What Types Of Stains Can A Poultice Remove?

A poultice can be used for a range of stains on natural stone, including:

• Oil stains
• Grease marks
• Food stains
• Coffee and tea stains
• Wine stains
• Organic stains
• Some deeper stains that have soaked into the stone

It is most useful when the stain has gone into the stone rather than just sitting on the surface.

For example, if oil has soaked into a marble benchtop or grease has gone into a stone tile, normal cleaning may only clean the surface. A poultice gives you a better chance of pulling the stain back out.

Will A Poultice Always Remove The Stain?

No, not always.

Staining all depends on how early you catch it. If a stain has only been there for a short time, you have a much better chance of removing it. If it has been sitting there for years, the chances are it may not come out completely.

The best results are usually when the stain is treated earlier, especially within the first few months. Once staining has penetrated too far into the stone, a poultice may lighten it, but it may not remove it fully.

That is why it is always better to deal with stone stains sooner rather than later.

Can You Use A Poultice On All Stone?

Poultices can be used on many types of natural stone, but the right product needs to be used for the right stone.

Marble, limestone and travertine are softer and more sensitive to certain chemicals, especially acidic products. Granite, sandstone and slate can also stain, but they may need a different approach depending on the finish, porosity and type of stain.

You have to be careful, because using the wrong chemical can make the problem worse. On some stones, especially polished marble, the wrong product can leave etching, dull patches or surface damage.

Should You Try A Poultice Yourself?

For a small stain, some people may try a poultice themselves, but you need to be careful. Always test a small area first and make sure the product is suitable for your stone.

If it is an expensive benchtop, polished marble, limestone, travertine, or a stain in a highly visible area, it is usually better to get a stone restoration specialist to look at it.

Sometimes people keep scrubbing the stain with household cleaners, bleach, vinegar or harsh products, and that can do more damage than the stain itself.

When Should You Call A Professional?

You should call a professional if:

• The stain has been there for a long time
• You are not sure what caused the stain
• The stone is marble, limestone or travertine
• The surface is polished
• The stain is large or very noticeable
• You have already tried cleaning it and it has not worked
• The area has become dull, etched or damaged

A professional can identify the stone, work out the likely cause of the stain and choose the right poultice or restoration process.

One Of The Main Methods To Remove Stains

A poultice is one of the main methods used to remove stains from natural stone. It works by drawing the stain back up through the pores of the stone and into the paste.

It can work very well, but it depends on the type of stain, the type of stone and how long the stain has been there. The quicker you deal with it, the better chance you have of getting a good result.

If you have a stain in your marble, granite, limestone, travertine or sandstone, don’t keep scrubbing it with the wrong product. Contact Marble Everlast and we can inspect the stone, work out what has caused the staining and recommend the best way to treat it.