How to Speed the Drying Time of a Poultice

But first, is it advisable to speed the dry time of a poultice?

Before we speed the drying time of a poultice, we should first consider whether it would be advisable to do so. You should only speed up the drying time on a poultice if the poultice has stayed wet for at least 12 hours. If the drying time is too rapid there may not be adequate time for the chemicals to react and the stain to lift from the stone or other surface. 

There are several ways to speed up the drying time of a poultice:

1. Use a faster-drying material: Choose a poultice material that dries more quickly, such as a paper towel, rather than a liquid.
2. Increase air flow: Increase air flow around the poultice by using a fan or opening windows to promote evaporation.
3. Apply heat: Apply gentle heat to the poultice, such as with a hair dryer, to increase the evaporation rate. However, be careful not to apply too much heat, as this could cause the poultice to dry too quickly and crack, reducing its effectiveness.
4. Use a thin layer: Apply the poultice in a thin layer, as this will allow it to dry more quickly.

Some poultice products come with a drying accelerator, which is added to the poultice to speed up the drying time. However, these products may have cause discoloration or damage if they react chemically with the surface. Always check the label to be sure what you are using is safe for the surface your are poulticing. 

Tips From Fred Hueston

Here are some tips from Fred Hueston, Chief Technical Director of Surface Care Pros and Owner of Stone Forensics:

• It's important to remember that although speeding up the drying time may be desirable, it's also important to allow the poultice to work effectively and not remove it too soon. Overly hastening the drying process could potentially cause damage to the surface or reduce the effectiveness of the poultice.
• Janitorial supply houses carry what are called air movers. These are fans that are placed on the floor and are normally used for drying carpet but they work very well for speeding the drying time of poultices.

For more information, register to earn a Stone Restoration Master Course Certificate. You'll learn how to restore natural stone floors, countertops, and walls, engineered stone, and granite floors, using the most efficient and effective restoration procedures. Also included in this program is the Stain Care Pro course with a one-year subscription to the Stain Care Pro app and Understanding Sealers.