How to remove a spot of blood on unsealed hearth stone?
Estimated Reading Time: 1 MinutesQ. I got a cut from my fireplace while cleaning it and got a spot of blood on my unsealed hearth stone. How do I remove it?
A. Blood contains salts and proteins; if it is cleaned while still fresh, it will usually not stain. If allowed to dry, blood stains can be very difficult to remove.
First, clean the area thoroughly with cold water and a mild dish detergent or stone soap. Rinse thoroughly. Prepare a 50/50 solution of household ammonia and water. Apply this solution and allow to sit for several minutes. Gently scrub the area and rinse with cold clear water.
If stain is still present, apply a poultice. A poultice draws the stain out of the stone over time. For detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to mix and apply a poultice correctly, check out our free Stain Management App. Your chemical poultice ingredient will be ammonia. You may need to reapply the poultice multiple times before the entire stain is removed. Persistence and patience are essential.
If you are unable to remove the stain, contact a stone restoration professional. To find a vetted PRO in your area, visit www.surfacecarepros.com and click on Find a PRO.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Fred Hueston is the Chief Technical Director at SurfaceCarePROS.com and Director at StoneForensics.com. He is also the author of Stone and Tile Restoration: The Manual, a comprehensive online manual for stone and tile restoration contractors. [Learn more about Fred.]