Granite is an exquisite countertop material, yet it can become stained over time. If this happens to your granite, it is essential that you know how to remove these stains so they won’t compromise its beauty or compromise your countertops.
Oil and grease stains can be very resistant, so multiple treatments might be required before you can effectively eradicate them. For harder stains, you could create your own homemade stain remover by mixing baking soda with water to create a natural remedy.
Oil and Grease Stains
You already know if you own a granite countertop that removing grease stains from your surface is no simple task; these substances tend to seep into its pores, making removal challenging.
Avoid oils, peanut butter or milk on countertops in order to limit greasy spills from occurring in the first place.
However, should something spill on your granite countertops accidentally, there are steps you can take to clean off oil and grease without further damaging your countertops. Following these instructions will ensure you can avoid further harm to them.
One effective way of absorbing any remaining grease or fluids on your granite countertop is blotting them up with paper towels or sponges – though this won’t necessarily get rid of all traces of oils and grease stains completely, this method may still help.
To treat stubborn stains on countertops, baking soda poultice may help. This method consists of mixing baking soda paste with enough water to form a thick paste that covers any stained spots on your counters.
Apply this paste directly onto the stained area, allowing it to set for 6-12 hours before wiping it away with warm water and dish soap.
Acetone can be an effective solution to removing grease stains from granite surfaces. Simply soak a rag with acetone, lay it over the stain, and make sure that its airtight seal prevents it from drying out over time.
Poultice will help draw out grease stains from granite surfaces and then you can rinse off with water and dish soap to eliminate them completely. Repeat these steps several times until all grease stains have vanished from your countertop surfaces.
Organic Stains
Granite material makes a hardwearing countertop surface, yet accidents may happen and stain the granite. Stains on dark or light-colored granite surfaces can be frustrating and difficult to remove, creating additional work for cleaning.
Organic stains such as tea, mustard or gravy are simple to eliminate with hydrogen peroxide. Simply pour some on the stained area and allow it to set for 15 minutes before wiping it off with a clean rag.
Rust stains can be more stubborn to remove. One method involves creating a paste of water and baking soda, applying it directly onto the stain, then scrubbing with it before washing away with water.
If that doesn’t do the trick, consider creating a poultice using fuller’s earth, kaolin clay powdered chalk diatomaceous earth or talc mixed with water for best results.
An alternative approach would be to mix equal parts acetone and baking soda and apply this solution directly onto the stain. This should work to remove them effectively; however, follow up by thoroughly cleaning your granite countertop afterwards.
Oil and grease stains require additional effort, though you can also use a poultice to help lift them out of the stone surface. Though this method might take more time, it will get the job done successfully.
Wax residues can also pose a problem on granite surfaces, especially if candles are lit nearby. Should wax drip onto your stone, make sure to wipe it up immediately so the wax won’t penetrate deeper and cause further damage to it.
Stains on granite countertops can be more than an aesthetic nuisance; they can actually diminish its beauty and value. But with careful planning and appropriate cleaning methods, stains can be quickly and efficiently eliminated from your surface.
Ink Stains
Quartz countertops can become stained from ink stains as well as oil and grease spills, but there are effective solutions available for eliminating ink stains on granite.
Rubbing alcohol is one of the best cleaning agents for ink stains as it works to dissolve it and make it softer. Simply dampen a cotton swab with some rubbing alcohol and scrub over the stain.
Baking soda can also help remove ink stains by absorbing it into its porous structure. If there’s a large quantity of ink on your countertop, combine a small quantity with water into a paste form which you can apply directly over the stain for easy rubbing action.
If the ink stain is still fresh, spot cleaning it can be achieved using 12% hydrogen peroxide mixed with a few drops of ammonia and rinse and dry the surface afterwards.
Lacquer thinner can also be effective against dark-colored stones, although you must seek professional advice first before doing this. These chemicals can be harsh so be wary not to discolor your granite!
As an alternative method for ink stain removal, try applying a poultice. This mixture consists of water, baking soda and an appropriate liquid solvent.
Combining both ingredients will produce a thick paste which you can apply directly over an ink stain and leave for several days to see if it has managed to eliminate it entirely.
Finding effective cleaning products that won’t do more damage than good can be tricky when cleaning granite, especially non-porous varieties like the kind we use on countertops. So before embarking on any process it is a good idea to perform a small test run and see if any solution damages or discolors any part of it before commencing the cleaning procedure itself.
Paint Stains
Paint can be one of the toughest stains to remove from granite, but there are effective and straightforward strategies available for doing just that.
Step one is identifying the type of stain on your granite surface. Each stain type requires its own approach for removal.
Water-based stains tend to be easier to eliminate as they often evaporate quickly. Other stains such as oil, rust or hard water spots require much more work since they won’t quickly dissipate.
To remove these stains, a poultice can help. This mixture of cleaning agents and stain absorbing agents will effectively extract them from your stone surface.
Poultices can be created using diatomaceous earth, kaolin, talc, white molding plaster or powdered chalk. Spread the poultice over any stained area and allow it to remain for 24 hours before taking further steps.
Apply a solution of baking soda and water directly onto the stain, and scrub gently with a soft rag until the stain disappears. This should work on most stains; if necessary, repeat this process if your stain persists.
Another effective solution for cleaning paint from granite countertops is using commercial stain cleaners specially formulated for stone surfaces, like those found at local hardware stores. Such cleaners can quickly and effectively eliminate paint stains, red wine stains, grease stains and many other kinds of blemishes on granite surfaces.
Alternately, lacquer thinner can help loosen dried paint residue and help it come off of surfaces, so that excess can be scraped off with a razor blade held at an 45 degree angle to the surface.
Glue Stains
Glue can be one of the toughest stains to remove from granite, due to its strength. But there are ways you can get it off without damaging the surface or harming countertops.
To remove glue stains from countertops, begin by using pure acetone or rubbing alcohol as solvents that break up adhesive hold and effectively dissolve stubborn stains. These solvents have been specially developed to quickly and safely dissolve glue spots on surfaces.
Apply a few drops of acetone directly over the glue spot, allowing it to soak for several minutes before wiping it off with a damp rag. Repeat this procedure several times until all stains have been completely eliminated.
Try applying some WD-40 to help loosen adhesives like glue. It should be safe on wood surfaces while simultaneously dislodging any unwanted debris.
Another solution for scraping away glue is using a putty knife or similar sharp object, with its flat edge held close to the countertop while exerting gentle pressure while pushing towards adhesive spots.
Once you have successfully removed as much glue as possible, use a clean cloth to wipe it clean and dry it off. If the adhesive remains stubbornly adhered, soak it in warm water with soapy solution until softening occurs.
Make your own DIY granite cleaner using dish soap or baking soda/coconut oil mixture as the primary means. These substances should help to break through adhesives quickly.
If you need an efficient way to remove glue stains from marble and granite countertops after installation, TeBlossom’s Green Bloom Glue Stain Remover Kit may be just what’s needed. It has been specially created to safely and quickly eliminate blue-green glue stains.
