Perma-Treat - Solutions Center

Common Stains and Suggested Removers
Stains of every kind can affect tiles and grout joints. Refer to the following list for some of the most common staining problems and potential solutions. Most of the recommended cleaning agents are common household products and can be purchased from the local supermarket.

Problem:	Remover:
Blood	Baking soda, bleach, hydrogen peroxide

Chewing gum	Ice cubes, paint remover

Coffee	Baking soda, bleach, household cleaners, hydrogen peroxide

Dyes	Bleach

Efflorescence	Diluted phosphoric acid according to the instructions on the packaging

Fats	Detergent, sal soda

Fruit juices	Baking soda, bleach, household cleaners, hydrogen peroxide, oxalic acid

Grease	Detergent, plaster of Paris, sal soda

Ink	Baking soda, bleach

Iodine	Ammonia

Lipstick	Bleach, household cleaners, hydrogen peroxide

Mildew	Ammonia, baking soda, bleach

Motor oil	Plaster of Paris

Mustard	Bleach

Nail polish	Bleach, nail polish remover

Paint	Paint remover

Rust	Baking soda, scouring powders

Tar	Ice cubes, paint remover

Tea	Bleach, household cleaners, hydrogen peroxide

Tough stains	Oxalic acid

Vegetable oil	Baking soda, detergent

Water/mineral stains	White vinegar

Wax	Ice cubes, paint remover

Wet paper	Bleach

Wine	Baking soda

Precautions for Stain Removers
Always refer to the directions on the packet before using any cleaning products and check for efficacy and safety.

Product:	Description:
Acids (eg phosphoric)	Test on a small part of the material to be cleaned. Use with caution, diluted as per product label. Always neutralise acid after cleaning or it will continue to burn the surface. Use a suitable alkaline agent (eg dishwashing liquid diluted in water) and flush with water. Section03 - Application Guide Page 8 of 20 © Dry-Treat Pty Ltd December 2006

Ammonia	Comes in a liquid form for cleaning purposes. Never mix ammonia of any kind with chlorine bleach. These products react chemically and release a poison gas. Always read product labels to be sure cleaners which you are mixing do not contain any ammonia or chlorine bleach.

Baking soda	Also called bi-carbonate of soda. Comes in a powder form for cleaning purposes. Mix with water to form a paste.

Bleach	Note caution under ammonia. Also, never mix bleach with acids of any kind as this combination can react chemically and be dangerous. Bleach, also know as chlorinated bleach and household bleach, comes in a liquid form.

Caustic soda	A 5% sodium hydroxide solution

Detergent	Common household cleaners available in all supermarkets under various brand names.

Household cleaners	Includes both detergents and non-detergents available in all supermarkets under various brand names. Comes in powder and liquid form.

Hydrogen peroxide	Comes in a liquid form. Usually sold in the pharmacy section of the supermarket.

Ice cubes	Can be made in the household refrigerator.

Oxalic acid	A strong chemical bleach which should not be used or confused with chlorine bleach. Oxalic acid comes in liquid form.

Paint remover	Commercial product available in liquid form in any paint or hardware store. Be especially careful when using this product. Some people are allergic to the chemicals in paint removers. It can also be highly flammable.

Plaster of Paris	A commercial product that may be purchased in any paint or hardware store. Available in powder form and mixed with water for cleaning purposes.

Nail polish remover	A commercial product available in the pharmacy section of the supermarket. Can be highly flammable. Comes in a liquid form.

Sal soda	This product is mixed with water for cleaning purposes.

Scouring powders	Available in most supermarkets. Always test on a small sample section of the tile or grout before using to be sure that the product will not scratch the surface.

White vinegar	Always test on a small sample section of the tile before using as it can etch specific types of tile and also erode certain grout. Available in liquid form.