BS: Getting wine stains off a stone floor?

Subject: BS: Getting wine stains off a stone floor?
From: Paul Burke
Date: 14 May 09 - 02:32 PM

I ought to tidy and clean more often- then I wouldn't have the problem...

On moving a sofa to clean under it, I found a big red wine stain on the stone floor beneath it. Probably spilt some ages ago, cleaned up what I could see, and missed the rest. And now it's well soaked in and oxidised to a brownish maroon.

It laughs at bleach. I've tried throwing salt on it over my left shoulder under a full moon at midnight, to no avail. There are legends about bloodstains that can't be cleaned up, but I can't remember killing anyone on that particular spot. The floor was supposed to be sealed, I obviously didn't check that well enough.

Any experience, suggestions, anything apart from giving up drink or floors or putting the sofa back and forgetting about it?

Subject: RE: BS: Getting wine stains off a stone floor?
From: gnu
Date: 14 May 09 - 02:42 PM

Easy as pie! When you stain a quarry stone floor by dropping wine or by dropping a bottle of beets, or whatever... drop more and make it all match.

Yes, I am serious.

To avoid such a problen, install ceramic tile instead of stone.

Subject: RE: BS: Getting wine stains off a stone floor?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 14 May 09 - 02:45 PM

I think the usual remedy for red wine stain is white wine.

It mught be worth trying things like oxy-action, or wood-bleach.

Subject: RE: BS: Getting wine stains off a stone floor?
From: SINSULL
Date: 14 May 09 - 02:46 PM

Hydrogen Peroxide and baking soda paste?

Subject: RE: BS: Getting wine stains off a stone floor?
From: gnu
Date: 14 May 09 - 02:54 PM

Well, you should try those on a small and obscure area because after you do, it's gonna be harder to make it all stained the same.

If you have spare tile for matching, replace it and SEAL it all properly. You can sometimes match stone for about three years or so after you lay it, but if the supplier "sees you coming" you may want to bring extra arms and legs.

Subject: RE: BS: Getting wine stains off a stone floor?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 14 May 09 - 03:09 PM

The enzymes they use for carpet cleaning, to remove organic matter, might cut wine, dabbed on to sit for a day or so (wet, under a damp washcloth), and then wiped back out. It might cause the staining, organic part of the wine to loosen up enough to be amenable to bleach.

Did you call a stone floor contractor, tho, because they would know what acid would eat it and not hurt the stone, and how to neutralize the acid after it's done its job and re-seal the stone.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Getting wine stains off a stone floor?
From: Rapparee
Date: 14 May 09 - 03:19 PM

What sort of stone is it? Barble? Granite?

I'd try oxalic acid (be careful!). We used to use it to clean the dirt and scum off tombstones.

If it's REALLY soaked in you could try sandblasting. If that doesn't suit, try rubbing the stain HARD with fine sand and then rinsing with warm water.

There's always paint....

Subject: RE: BS: Getting wine stains off a stone floor?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 14 May 09 - 03:32 PM

What kind of stone floor? Sandstone, or a carbonate like limestone or marble? If an old country house, may be a local stone.
I re-did a stone table-top that had wine stains (and etc.). I used a fine grit to take down the surface. Then re-polished with an even finer grit. It was an irreplaceable antique pink marble that can't be replaced.
Carbonate stone is easy to grind down and re-polish but hard sandstone, granite, etc. is difficult for an amateur without proper tools.

Digression-
I have a marble entry. I found enough c. 12x12 marble slabs at a place which had leftover material, as cheap as top-quality vinyl. I bought a few extras just in case someone dropped an anvil, acid substance, or whatever.
Our kitchen is ceramic-tiled, replacement for old vinyl, but we bought extra when that was put in.
Both would undergo repolish as well as replacement, however.)

Subject: RE: BS: Getting wine stains off a stone floor?
From: Rapparee
Date: 14 May 09 - 03:47 PM

The alternative is to put the couch back where it was and not worry about it.

Subject: RE: BS: Getting wine stains off a stone floor?
From: gnu
Date: 14 May 09 - 04:42 PM

Rap... put the couch back, lay down, watch the game and have a nap.

Subject: RE: BS: Getting wine stains off a stone floor?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 14 May 09 - 04:48 PM

Barble, I'm gonna keep that one! I would prefer Marble myself, but I believe OUR floor is Gebuine Barble.


~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Getting wine stains off a stone floor?
From: Emma B
Date: 14 May 09 - 04:59 PM

heaven's above Paul! I'm staggered that none of your friends weren't down there licking it off initially :)
Is it too late now? :)

Subject: RE: BS: Getting wine stains off a stone floor?
From: gnu
Date: 14 May 09 - 06:15 PM

Hahahahahaaa. Ya still crack me up by times. Heheheeee

Subject: RE: BS: Getting wine stains off a stone floor?
From: Paul Burke
Date: 14 May 09 - 06:18 PM

Sandstone, of a local provenance. About 35mm thick, and in irregular pieces about 200x400mm, so I can't just pull one up and replace it. Kindly reconsider that statement Emma, or I might take you up on it.

Subject: RE: BS: Getting wine stains off a stone floor?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 May 09 - 06:30 PM

Rap beat me to it. Put a piece of furniture over the top of it.

Subject: RE: BS: Getting wine stains off a stone floor?
From: Peace
Date: 14 May 09 - 07:38 PM

Remedy here . . . .

Subject: RE: BS: Getting wine stains off a stone floor?
From: Peace
Date: 14 May 09 - 07:41 PM

However, I think you will likely be against the nuclear option. I found the following on the internet.

"Step 1 To create a poultice, fold or stack plain white paper towels to make a thick pad of eight layers. It should be slightly wider than the stain.

Step 2 Wear rubber gloves and make sure there's good ventilation in the kitchen.

Step 3 To remove oil-based stains such as those from salad dressing, cream, peanut butter or hand lotion, first clean the area well with ammonia and a clean rag. Soak the paper-towel pad thoroughly with acetone. Oil stains are usually rounded in shape, have darker centers and penetrate more deeply.

Step 4 To remove organic stains such as those from wine, ink, tobacco, coffee, paper or flowers, soak the paper-towel pad with hydrogen peroxide. These stains tend to be irregularly shaped, often following the form of the object causing the discoloring.

Step 5 Cover the stain with the soaked pad. Tap out bubbles and press firmly to ensure full contact with the stone's surface.

Step 6 Cover the pad with a piece of plastic wrap and tape its edges to the counter with masking tape.

Step 7 Leave the treated surface undisturbed for 2 to 48 hours, depending on the age and depth of the stain.

Step 8 Remove the plastic wrap carefully and leave the paper towel until it dries completely.

Step 9 Discard the paper-towel pad. Wipe down the area with a clean, damp rag.

Step 10 Repeat with a newly soaked pad if needed. The stain may require three to four applications to lift completely.

Step 11 If the stain resists several applications of the poultice, contact a local business that specializes in fabricating or cleaning stone countertops to get advice on the type of stone in your counter."

Subject: RE: BS: Getting wine stains off a stone floor?
From: Peace
Date: 14 May 09 - 07:45 PM

Use a mix of club soda and white wine. White wine sounds odd but it will get a red wine stain out fast.

Also on the 'net.

Subject: RE: BS: Getting wine stains off a stone floor?
From: Emma B
Date: 14 May 09 - 07:49 PM

nooooo not the Chablis!
I'll call round :)

Subject: RE: BS: Getting wine stains off a stone floor?
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 14 May 09 - 08:04 PM

When it spills, you shove everyone out of the way, fall to your hands and knees, bend over, perching your lips and you suck it up as fast as you can, and lick the rest, before it has time before the color sets. With a little practice, you can get it. If its on carpet, you can scrub your tongue, at the same time!...Works great!

Subject: RE: BS: Getting wine stains off a stone floor?
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 14 May 09 - 08:13 PM

I don't see why removing wine stains from a stone floor would be much different from removing rust stains from concrete. For that, the standard remedy is muriatic acid. It's a cheap grade of hydrochloric acid and is available from swimming pool chemical suppliers.

Subject: RE: BS: Getting wine stains off a stone floor?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 14 May 09 - 08:24 PM

Only too likely you'll end up with some other coloured stain instead, lighter than the rest of the sandstone.

Why not leave it and chill your visitors with some fanciful tales about an 'orrible murder that took place on this very night many years ago?...

Subject: RE: BS: Getting wine stains off a stone floor?
From: Peace
Date: 15 May 09 - 02:20 AM

They're hard to find, but man, they work!

Subject: RE: BS: Getting wine stains off a stone floor?
From: gnu
Date: 15 May 09 - 06:37 AM

Well I'll be darned! I had never heard of any methods for removing such stains from quarry tile. I am looking forward to hearing the method(s) and result(s).

I like McGrath's idea! hehehee

Subject: RE: BS: Getting wine stains off a stone floor?
From: Mr Happy
Date: 15 May 09 - 07:16 AM

...tried licking it off??

Subject: RE: BS: Getting wine stains off a stone floor?
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 15 May 09 - 08:45 AM

This site

http://www.cleaning101.com/laundry/fact/staintable.html#3

says that older stains may respond to a product containing enzymes. Have you tried that?

Subject: RE: BS: Getting wine stains off a stone floor?
From: Paul Burke
Date: 15 May 09 - 03:15 PM

Good idea McGrath... except that it will be hard to explain the wineglass-foot shaped stain a little further over...

Peace, do you know what happens to people who try to buy hydrogen peroxide in the UK?

I'll try the muriatic acid, I think they call it "brick cleaner" here. Was it invented by Professor Muriarty?

Subject: RE: BS: Getting wine stains off a stone floor?
From: Peace
Date: 15 May 09 - 06:42 PM

Good luck with it, Paul. May your stones shine once more . . . .

Subject: RE: BS: Getting wine stains off a stone floor?
From: gnu
Date: 15 May 09 - 06:44 PM

Everybody must...

Subject: RE: BS: Getting wine stains off a stone floor?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 15 May 09 - 07:22 PM

3% hydrogen peroxide is available over the counter at any pharmacy or drug store in U. S. and Canada, a commonly used disinfectant.
I am sure that in EU or UK, as elsewhere, only high percentage concentrations are barred from persons without a valid need.

Muriatic acid (hydrochloric acid) will not damage sandstone unless it is calcareous (some are, but easy to test- if it bubbles or fizzes, it has a carbonate component).

Subject: RE: BS: Getting wine stains off a stone floor?
From: Alice
Date: 15 May 09 - 11:30 PM

Cream of Tartar (white powder in the baking section of grocery) and hydrogen peroxide.

Sprinkle the cream of tartar on the stain and then pour the hydrogen peroxide on it.

Subject: RE: BS: Getting wine stains off a stone floor?
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 16 May 09 - 01:30 AM

I believe Alice is correct, on that one. Also there is a product called 'Krud Kutter'. Home depot carries it, as do paint stores..the BEST CLEANER(WATER BASED you'll find...cleans anything!

Subject: RE: BS: Getting wine stains off a stone floor?
From: Barry Finn
Date: 16 May 09 - 02:24 AM

A 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide (an oxygen bleach as apossed to a chlorine bleach) usually removes the coloring of red wine, I don't know how it would work on stone though. Do not use white wine, that'll leave a nasty sugar stain



If the stone's been finished, sealed & treated it may not be that big of a deal if you try mixing 1/2 cup of ammonia with 1 gal of warmwater. (don't use white vinegar or other strong acidic cleaner, including lemon it may etch the surface)

TSP works on concrete

Barry