Q. How do I remove pet discolorations on my bluestone hearth that did not come clean with mild soap / water/ scrubbing?
A. The answer to this question depends on what caused the discolorations. Bluestone can becomes discolored by pets in various ways, including urine, feces, saliva, or oils from fur and skin. These substances can penetrate the stone’s surface or react chemically with it, leading to darkening, staining, or uneven coloration over time, especially if the stone is porous or the exposure is repeated. We usually recommend starting with the gentlest methods first. Since you have already attempted cleaning with mild soap and water, we'll move on to the next steps.
To remove a urine, feces, or saliva stain, 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 poultice chemical ingredient will be 20-volume hydrogen peroxide, available at beauty supply stores. (Regular, brown-bottle hydrogen peroxide is not strong enough.) You may need to reapply the poultice multiple times.
If there's an odor associated with a urine, feces, or saliva stain, it's safe to use an enzymatic carpet cleaner on stone. Spray the affected area. Cover with plastic. Allow the product to dwell for a couple of hours. Remove the plastic and blot the stone dry using paper towels. Multiple applications may be necessary to remove all the odor.
To remove a stain caused by oils from pet fur or skin, blot the area with denatured alcohol and a clean white cloth. If the stain is still present, apply a poultice. Your poultice chemical ingredient will be denatured alcohol. Refer to our free Stain Management App for step-by-step instructions. You may need to reapply the poultice multiple times.
Pet-related discolorations on bluestone can often be improved or removed with the correct treatment, but success depends on identifying the stain type and patiently using the appropriate methods. If your efforts are not satisfactory, 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.]
Article ID: 862
Created: January 13, 2026
Last Updated: January 13, 2026
Author: Fred Hueston
Online URL: https://surfacecarepros.com/kb/article/how-do-i-remove-pet-discolorations-from-my-bluestone-hearth-862.html