Theres gotta be a better way.

[gunmike1]

This forum is a gold mine! To be able to tap into the experience and intelligence here when you have a problem is just great. I tried several of the suggestions here and my stones are in good shape now. Thank you all very much.
If anyone has more sugestions keep them coming. This is very interesting.

I have this thread bookmarked so I can make a shopping list for the next time I go to the store. I will stay away from the hardcore chemicals, as I have a 2 year old, but there are a lot of great suggestions. Comet seems to leave a very thin film over my medium stone, so I need to try some of these other suggestions. I need oven cleaner anyway, and the rust remover could also be put to use, so the ball and chain, err, wife, can't really question those purchases ("No honey, I'm not saying you do a bad job of cleaning, but I will clean the oven to help you out because I know you're overworked with the baby!"). Plus, since I lopped the tips of 2 of my fingers in half I find it easier to clean the stones than actually sharpen to my usual standard. At least I can still reprofile as that doesn't require precision.

 

[matt321]

Tonight I tried "Cerama Bryte" a glass-ceramic cooktop cleaner. I dabbed it on with a paper towel and then rubbed it off. I seemed to work well and left the stones with a nice, toothy feel. This cleaner works similar to a liquid car cleaner/polish. It doesn't have a strong smell and it isn't very messy to use. However, I noticed on the bottle it says it contains citric acid.

 

[tholiver]

Hmm someone here mentioned pink erasers, that works, also rubbing rubber bands on it can remove it. I have an old Spyderco DoubleStuff ceramic stone here, on a lark i tried old English lemon oil on it. That works too.