Anyone know how to remove water color stains from slate?

[Anonymous]

I was trying to be a crafty, fun mom and set up my child's easel to do some watercolor paintings outside on our covered, paved porch. Unfortunately some spilled and I didn't notice it for a few days. Does anyone know how I can remove the stains from the watercolor that spilt???

[Anonymous]

Slate is incredibly porous. We ate on our porch and food spills always left marks. I was never able to completely remove everything in spite of multiple attempts but our marks were usually like water rings with no color. To at least remove color I would start with a bit of bleach. You can also think about sealing it. We sold that house and I wouldn't use slate again.

[Anonymous]

We have a cobblestone driveway and the only way to really clean stains is to scrub with gasoline. And then power wash.

[Anonymous]

I would make a baking soda paste, rub it into the stained area and then put some vinegar on it. You'll get a lot of fuzzing. I think it may work because the vinegar/baking soda mix should get into the pores of the slate and then bubble back up. Baking soda/vinegar is also less likely to react with other substances than bleach is - unless you're using oxygen bleach which would also be an alternative. I use a lot of that, too, but most people don't have it at home. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would make a baking soda paste, rub it into the stained area and then put some vinegar on it. You'll get a lot of fuzzing. I think it may work because the vinegar/baking soda mix should get into the pores of the slate and then bubble back up. Baking soda/vinegar is also less likely to react with other substances than bleach is - unless you're using oxygen bleach which would also be an alternative. I use a lot of that, too, but most people don't have it at home. Good luck.

^^PP here. I'd have a dry rag with you when you do this so you can apply/blot/apply several times.

[Anonymous]

Second the baking soda and blotting method