How to Clean Makeup Stains on Natural Stone Surfaces
The beauty of natural stone makes it one of the most popular materials for bathroom countertops, but it’s still susceptible to surface stains, particularly from makeup and personal hygiene products. Even the least porous natural stones such as slate, granite, and soapstone can be stained by lipstick, mascara, and other types of makeup if not cleaned and cared for correctly. Fortunately, there are ways to remove these stains.
Powdered Makeup Residue
Virtually all makeup products are greasy because they need to interact with the natural oils secreted by the sebaceous glands. With this in mind, it’s important to remember that even dry face powders are greasy and can stain natural-stone flooring or countertops. Face powder likely won’t stain unless it’s smudged or pushed into the pores of natural stone.
Your first step is to wipe the stain with acetone, using a clean, dry cloth. Make sure to turn off all pilot lights and properly ventilate the area, such as opening a window. Then, apply a poultice made with baking soda and acetone. The proportion for this paste should be about 50/50, and you should leave it on top of the stain for 24 hours, then remove and rinse with water.
Creamy Makeup Stains
Cream foundation and primer base that helps makeup stay on all day can leave stains on natural stone. The cream itself won’t stain the surface, but the pigments might. As long as the stone has a strong protective seal, there’s no need to worry about spills because you can quickly wipe them away, using a soft scrub brush along with granite cleaner.
Never use common household cleaners on natural stone. If the spill has resulted in a stain, follow the previously mentioned steps using the baking soda/acetone poultice.
Lipstick Stains
Don’t apply any pressure when wiping stains, particularly when lipstick is the culprit. Stubborn lipstick stains can be removed using the above-mentioned baking soda/acetone poultice method. Any time you use an acetone and baking soda paste to remove a stain, make sure to reseal the stone with a granite sealer such as Granite Gold Sealer®.
Etched Makeup Marks
Etching is what happens when stains look like they’re trapped beneath the surface seal and the pores of the stone. This type of damage is difficult to repair without the proper expertise, so you’ll need to contact a professional stone restoration specialist. After you’ve removed makeup stains and resealed your stone to prevent further staining, make sure to also use a granite polish on your natural-stone countertops to keep them looking shiny and new.
Get in touch with Granite Gold® to learn more about the high-quality stone care products we offer, as well as those that are ideal to use on quartz surfaces. Call 1-800-475-STONE (7866) today. If you’re on Facebook, make sure to like our page for additional tips on caring for granite, marble, slate, and other types of natural stone.