A splash of cooking oil beside the hob or a drip of barbecue fat on a patio can leave a mark long after the meal is over. The spill has been wiped up and the floor washed, yet a darker patch remains.
It is a familiar frustration with natural stone, but it does not necessarily mean the floor is permanently marked. What makes these stains so persistent comes down partly to the nature of the stone itself.
Why Does Grease Leave a Stain on Natural Stone?
Natural stone contains tiny pores that can absorb liquids. How readily this happens varies with the type of stone and any protective treatment already applied. Around cooking and dining areas, oil and melted fats can enter these pores, leaving a darker patch beneath the surface.
Once absorbed, these deposits may be beyond the reach of routine cleaning, but a targeted stain remover can help draw them out.
How to Remove Grease from Natural Stone
FILA’s NOSPOT is a ready-to-use spray for greasy and oily stains on natural stone, including marble and granite. It absorbs these deposits and dries into a fine white powder that can be brushed away.
Before treatment, check if the floor has a wax finish. If it does, remove the wax from the whole affected tile after removing the stain, then restore the wax coating. NOSPOT should also be applied at a surface temperature between 5°C and 30°C, which is particularly relevant when working outdoors.
To treat the affected area:
- Spray from a distance of 15 cm, holding the can at an angle of approximately 45°.
- Leave to dry for a few minutes, until a thin layer of white powder forms.
- Remove the powder using a brush.
- Wipe over with a damp cloth.
If traces remain, repeat the treatment. Fresh stains can be easier to resolve, while older marks may need more than one application.
Help Protect Against the Next Spill
Once the stain has been dealt with, it is worth thinking about the next one. Around a kitchen island or an outdoor dining table, food and drink spills are a part of everyday life.
A water-based stain and water repellent helps reduce the absorption of watery and oily stains, giving natural stone water- and oil-repellent protection. It retains a natural finish without forming a surface film, so protection does not have to mean a different look.
Apply to a clean, dry surface and test a small area first for colour changes. Follow the instructions for the stone’s particular finish, and do not apply outdoors if rain is forecast. Protection takes effect after 24 hours.
The treatment helps limit absorption, but does not make stone stain-proof or protect it against acid attack. Protection also works alongside good habits: wipe up spills promptly rather than leaving them until the next clean, particularly in areas used regularly for preparing or serving food.
Keep Maintenance Easy
For everyday cleaning, CLEANER PRO gently cleans natural stone without affecting treated or delicate surfaces. For routine maintenance, dilute at 1:200: 25 ml in 5 litres of water. At this dilution, no rinsing is needed.
This keeps regular washing simple, whether caring for a kitchen floor or maintaining a stone patio. If an individual greasy mark remains, return to targeted stain removal rather than repeatedly washing the whole area.
Unsure How to Treat Your Particular Stone?
For advice on removing grease or choosing protection for a particular stone and finish, our FILA team are here to help. With the right approach, floors and patios can remain looking their best through shared meals, busy days and the occasional spill.
