How to remove an olive oil stain from a quartzite countertop?

Q. We just installed our new quartzite slab on our kitchen island and three days later we have a distinctly round stain from where our olive oil dispenser was sitting on the counter. Should I be using a poultice to get this out, or is there a better product for a stain like this?

As you suspected, a poultice is the way to remove this stain. If the olive oil is still fresh, then you will have an opportunity to deal with it before it sets in and becomes more difficult to remove. Start by sprinkling a generous layer of poultice powder, something like diatomaceous earth, right on the stain. Let it sit for 12 to 24 hours. Brush it off. Wet the area with a mix of degreaser and water. Keep that spot damp for about 30 minutes, then blot it with a clean white cloth. Don’t worry if the stone looks darker for a bit. It is likely just caused by moisture absorbing into the stone. Quartzite can some take time to dry out.

If the stain is resistant to your stain removal efforts (oil can be like that), it’s time to try out a heavy-duty poultice with a solvent, like a commercial paint remover.

Here’s how to do it:

First, wet the stained area with distilled water. This fills the pores with clean water so the chemical can focus on lifting the stain—not soaking into the stone. Then mix the solvent and your poultice powder into a thick paste—think peanut butter consistency. Apply the paste about a quarter-inch thick, overlapping the stained area by about an inch. Be neat—don’t smear it on the surrounding unstained stone. Cover it up with plastic wrap (kitchen food wrap works well) and seal the edges with painter’s tape to trap the moisture. Let the poultice dry completely—this is the magic part. As it dries, it pulls the stain out of the stone. Drying usually takes 24 to 48 hours, so be patient. 

Once it’s dry, remove the plastic. If the poultice still feels damp, give it more time. When fully dry, gently scrape it off with a plastic putty knife. Rinse the area with distilled water and buff it dry with a soft cloth. The stone may look a little darker at first due to leftover moisture—that will fade as it dries. If the stain isn’t completely gone but it looks better, that’s progress. You can keep on repeating the poultice process as needed. It may take a few rounds, especially with deep oil stains.

For more detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to mix and apply a poultice correctly, check out our free Stain Management App.

If the stain just won’t budge after multiple attempts, it might be time to call in a professional. A stone restoration expert can assess the damage and, in most cases, restore the appearance of the surface. 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.]