How to remove pet accident stain from limestone?
Estimated Reading Time: 2 MinutesQ. My new puppy climbed up on my limestone hearth slab on my fireplace and pooped. I cleaned it up right away, but there is a shadow of a stain left behind. What would I use to remove the stain? It's brand new, and we hadn't gotten it sealed yet. Help! Thanks!
A. Start by cleaning the area gently using a pH-neutral, stone-safe cleaner and a soft white cloth or sponge.
Since pet waste is organic, the stain it left behind can usually be lightened or removed with a hydrogen peroxide poultice. A poultice draws the stain out of the stone over time.
Your poultice dry ingredient will be baking flour or diatomaceous earth and the chemical ingredient will be 30–40 volume, clear hydrogen peroxide.
NOTE: Follow the manufacturer’s safety precautions when using chemicals.
Avoid using household peroxide (the 3% type), as it’s too weak to make a difference on stone. Use the stronger version sold at beauty supply stores. For detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to mix and apply a poultice correctly, check out our free Stain Management App.
If the stain doesn’t lift completely the first time, repeat the poultice process as needed.
Once the stain is gone, it’s a good idea to have a professional stone restoration contractor seal the limestone with the most appropriate type of penetrating sealer. To find a vetted PRO in your area, visit www.surfacecarepros.com and click on Find a PRO.
While sealing won’t make the stone completely stain-proof, it will give you more time to clean up pet accidents before they have a chance to soak in and cause a stain.
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.]