Remove Limestone Stains

Stains on limestone are challenging because limestone is porous and absorbent. Limestone looks great, but you’ll have to put in the work to keep your surface clean. You must take precautionary cleaning measures to avoid damaging your limestone when removing the stains.

Steps

Cleaning the Limestone Surface

  1. Vacuum the limestone. Your vacuum can be utilized to care for your limestone, especially if you can turn off the spinning brush. If you can’t turn off the brush, you can still do a quick vacuum of the dust and dirt of the affected area. The vacuum removes and dislodges dirt and dust in between cracks of the limestone.[1]
    • If you have a limestone table or other surface that isn’t flooring, use a handheld vacuum if available. Some vacuums come equipped with an attachment hose. This will also work for an elevated surface like a kitchen counter.
  2. Use a dry mop or broom. After removing or dislodging some of the grime off the floors, mop the area. Do not wet your mop, but instead use it dry to sweep the area of unwanted dust or dirt. You can also use a broom for this.
    • There are several “dust mops” available that would work efficiently for the limestone.
  3. Wet the area with a damp rag. It’s important to remove any dirt particles before using liquids because they can scratch the surface. Fill a bucket of warm water and add a couple tablespoons (14 mL) of mild soap. You can use common hand soap or use a smaller proportion of dish soap. Dampen a rag by submerging it into the mixture and remove as much water as you can. Gently wipe down the area with the rag.[2]
    • Take your time and don’t hesitate to spend extra time going over the stain with the rag. Soak the rag as many times as you need to.
  4. Use a commercial poultice. A poultice is a mixture of ground chalk (whiting) and hydrogen peroxide. Some versions will use a different chemical from hydrogen peroxide. Follow the instructions provided with the product but as a general guide:
    • Wet the poultice with distilled water.
    • Apply the poultice to the stain or stained area.
    • Leave it in place for 48 hours. During this time it will dry. The drying process enables it to absorb into the limestone.
    • Rinse it off. The stain should have disappeared.[3]

Caring for Your Limestone

  1. Clean spills immediately. Rub off stains immediately either with a damp cloth and gentle soap or brush off (if it's soot, dirt, etc.). Some stains can be removed using a bristle brush, especially when they're new. The sooner the item is attended to, the better. If not, proceed with deeper cleaning techniques.[4]
  2. Do a regular cleaning. Every two weeks, you should dry mop your limestone floors. If you have limestone countertops, you should also clean them with a dust absorbent fabric every other week. There are plenty of cleaning supplies that specialize in efficient, dry cleaning.
    • You could use a dust mop on a table or countertop as long as the mop is clean.
  3. Use doormats and runners. For areas around the house that get heavy foot traffic, use rugs, mats, or runners. Consider spots near doorways or hallways leading to a door. Most stains occur from dirt and mud tracked onto the floor.[5]
    • You should also have outdoor mats to wipe your feet off before entering your house.
  4. Use coasters and pads. For the limestone table and countertop users, use coasters! Limestone is susceptible to ring stains and watermarks. Prevent any damage by having plenty of coasters available for you or your guests.
    • Place hot cooking supplies on protective mats. Similar to the condensation cups, the heat produced off hot plates can stain and damage your surfaces too.

Tips

  • A steamer might work; read the instructions accompanying it.
  • You may have to try several times to get the stain out.
  • For outdoor limestone, consider using a high pressure washer.

Warnings

  • Limestone contains calcium carbonate. This reacts poorly with acidic solutions or substances, which can erode it over time. Don't use any acidic cleaning agents on limestone. If you do, it's likely your limestone will deteriorate and appear pock-marked.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.howtocleanthings.com/surfaces/how-to-clean-limestone/
  2. ↑ http://www.baneclene.com/articles/limestone.html
  3. ↑ http://cleaning.tips.net/T006847_Limestone_Stain_Removal.html
  4. ↑ http://www.onlinetips.org/removing-limestone-water-stain/
  5. ↑ http://www.mstoneandtile.com/natural-stone-flooring/7-tips-on-how-to-protect-and-clean-travertine-stone/

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