Sound technical content, curated with aloha by
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ
The authoritative public forum
for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Remove stains from Granite countertop
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Q. We had granite installed last week and it is already stained. It was sealed, I watched the men do it after they installed the top. Just about everything stains it, even if you try like mad to keep it spotless. - Chiefland, Florida 2007 Q. Just Like Rebecca H., we also just had an install performed by a local company. Attempting to see if she has had difficulty finding resolution through said company? John Cain- Chiefland, Florida October 9, 2008
2007
A. One thing to always remember is that every granite is different based on country, color, grade, & pattern. One stain removal, sealant, refinish, etc...method may work on one and not another.One may react to the slightest water ring from a sweating glass, where the other will practically be shot by a bullet and you could never tell. - Livonia, Michigan Q. I used ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] on the olive oil stain and it's getting lighter I keep working on it I only had my counter tops for 2 weeks and I was willing to call them in to replace one side but they said impossible with the glue on the counter tops they would have to tear up everything and that's too costly good luck with the Windex Tawana [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]- Los Angeles, California March 1, 2008 Q. We've been in our new renovated kitchen for six months now. we chose a kashmir granite, brushed. And we have two toddlers. The granite was sealed three times before delivery and once afterwards. Our table in the kitchen, connected to island is the same brushed granite. The entire end area where my son eats is a darker, dull color now, and same situation around the cooktop. I'm guessing it's a combination of use and oil stains. How do I remove these stains? And if that's successful, how do I prevent them in the future? Is there some spray cleaner or something to use after my son eats or after I cook? I'm meticulous and always wipe down the area but I know now that's not enough. By the way, the granite shop and dealer told me it was no more porous than if I bought it polished. I disagree. Thanks for any advice. Jennifer Hamilton- Atlanta, Georgia May 3, 2008 A. Alas, the black granite power kitchens of the late 80's, early 90's got us to love granite but not the black color. So we choose light & colored granites, etc., and then are so surprised, disappointed and unhappy when they stain up so badly with food, oil, felt markers, crayons, candles, etc. I think if I ever get to do it over, I will choose something different -- something that is a rapidly renewable resource, or easily recyclable. If I tear this out I have no idea how it could be recycled, so this expensive and non-renewable will just go in the landfill. - Oakland, California January 25, 2009
- Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA July 20, 2010 Q. I put some blue dawn on an oil spot and left it accidentally overnight and now I have a bigger stain from the blue dawn! any suggestions? Had I known granite was so wimpy I would NEVER have bought it. shannon dammed- san francisco, California USA August 6, 2010
A kitchen countertop is supposed to be durable. Granite sounds durable. It's not. I hope you'll leave this post in even though it doesn't ask for a solution. If you're considering a granite countertop, at the very least, test a sample piece. I can't imagine anyone being happy with granite, so unless my granite is defective, I think it's so much over-rated as to be a fraud. Midge Dana- Wood Dale, Illinois, USA April 1, 2011 |
I've had black granite in my kitchen for 15 years. I have never resealed it or taken any precautions. We put any and everything on it. Looks as new as the day it was laid. I think the new granites must be lower grade and not properly sealed to have all the problems described here. So sad.|
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Q. Does anyone know how to remove a red wine stain from granite counter tops without damaging the finish of the granite? Colette S [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]homeowner - Braintree, Massachusetts 2007 March 10, 2008 A. I had a red wine stain on my granite counter top that we had managed to overlook for two weeks. Using dish washing liquid and brushing it out did nothing to the purple stain that was left behind. I mixed Oxiclean ⇦this on eBay or Amazon (affil link)] and a little bit of water, brushed it with a toothbrush onto the counter top and left it to dry for several hours. After 2 applications, the OxiClean took the entire red wine stain out! Melissa F [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]- San Marcos, California
- Chicago Illinois USA December 7, 2010 |
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Q. Does anyone know if you can use lime away on granite - calcium buildup from hard water? I have very hard water - there is a calcium buildup around the bottom of my faucet on the consumer - Florham Park, New Jersey 2007 A. I wouldn't try it if it were my granite counters, Donna! Not unless the supplier said it was okay. The color patterns in granite are from varying chemical compositions in the rock, and pending assurance from the manufacturer, I'd be concerned that some areas might have enough calcium and other light metals to be soluble in a calcium dissolver.  Ted Mooney, P.E. Striving to live Aloha finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey Q. I set a bottle of CLR ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] on my white granite counter top for a minute and it now has a foggy stain. I haven't tried anything yet. Any suggestions? Barb Haselhorst- Aviston, Illinois April 13, 2008 Q. I was trying to clean the hard water off of our faucet in the bathroom and set a plastic bowl (old margarine tub) with some CLR in it on the counter. Well I guess the CLR had dribbled over the edge of the tub because when I removed the bowl I was left with nice rings of CLR stains! Does anyone know how to remove a stain remover! :) Thanks for your help. Kelly Oliver- Burlington, Ontario, Canada September 29, 2009 Q. Recently my boyfriend and I purchased a granite counter top for my bathroom. Apparently I spilled some Ivory hand soap on its surface and it remained there for two months when we were in Florida working. He has used CLR and I tried lots of water to possibly dilute the soap stain but those efforts haven't worked. Any one ever had this type of problem and possibly a solution? Thanks! Judy Granthomeowner - Bailey, Colorado August 8, 2008 Q. We just got done remodeling our bathroom with a beautiful new black granite vanity top. When cleaning the toilet, I set the bottle on the granite not thinking about it. Now I have white stain which looks like it took the shiny finish off of it! I am just sick about it...can anyone help? - Mukwonago,Wisconsin January 19, 2009 |
CHECK POROSITY
A. After the installation of my (light-coloured) granite I took a spare piece and left oil, vinegar, lemon juice and a very popular soft drink on it and let them soak in. After 24 hours I wiped the granite: nothing left a mark apart from the oil, which gradually faded. If you can do this you will be able to check how porous your granite is (they vary widely) and know the degree of care you should take. Any oily substance I religiously put on a coaster. However, if occasionally something does get spilled and I prefer not to wait a couple of weeks for the stain to gradually fade & disappear, then I soak the spot with water before applying a poultice of baking powder and water. This should be mixed to a thick paste and put on top of the stain, before being covered with cling-film cellotaped down at the sides. Leave for 48 hours, remove and wipe down and that should help with the removal/fading process nicely. I also actually cover the counter top at the side of the stove I'm using with a tea towel before cooking anything using oil, to avoid spits. It only takes a minute, but I can't afford to replace my granite if it gets screwed up.
Helen Carter- Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.
June 4, 2008
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Q. I have a question. A candle melted on our granite outdoor table top. There is a huge stain now and I have tried poultices,acetone,shout,dawn soap. I'm now trying lacquer thinner
⇦this on
eBay
or
Amazon
[affil links] Warning! highly flammable!
but to no avail. Is there anything that will work? Help! - Elk Grove Village, Illinois August 24, 2008 Q. A red Christmas candle melted in the sun on my outside patio furniture, which is a coarse marble from Mexico. My husband scraped away most of the melted candle wax with a razor blade. However a red stain was left on the marble. Any ideas for how to remove? LB Sullivan- San Diego, California January 19, 2009 A. I found something that works!! We put brand new granite in our bathroom and while we were remodeling an unlit, small candle was placed on the granite overnight, I came in and it had left a dark brown stain the diameter of the candle. I almost died!! They hadn't even been in two days. I found this forum and tried all the homemade poultices and they lightened it, but it was still there. THEN I tried Dupont StoneTech Professional Oil Stain Remover [affil links]. I bought it on Amazon and followed the directions, left it on for just over 48 hours and WALA, TOTALLY GONE!! I was so happy I could've cried! This stuff is worth it's weight in gold!! A 3 oz. can only cost 5.49. Amazing product!! Sheila Brush- Sacramento, California June 4, 2011 Q. Help! My cashmere white granite is less than a month old. While I was unpacking in my new house, I started laying the items I was unpacking onto my granite countertop. Amongst those items, where 4 unlit candles which were left on the countertop overnight. The next morning as I was putting the stuff away, I noticed 4 very distinct stains, one reddish, and 3 brown/greyish stains in the shape of the bottom of the candles. What would be the best type of poultice to use on these types of stains and should this have happened? They had just been sealed! Is there anything I CAN put on my countertop? Tami Grant- London, Ontario, Canada November 30, 2011 ---- |
STONETECH STAIN REMOVER
A. I had an oil stain on my new whitish granite counter top. I used Dupont StoneTech Professional Oil Stain Remover
[affil links]. It works and was very easy to use. It comes in a can.
You spread it 1/4 inch thick on top of the stain and extend the application another 1/4 inch around the stain. Leave it on 24 to 48 hours. Do not cover it. The paste will dry hard and white. You then whisk the dry paste away and the stain is gone.
The white mixture comes suspended in a lemon/orangey smelling solvent. The solvent spreads out around the patch and it had me worried, but the solvent evaporates and disappears after a day or two and will not change the color of the granite.
It works and it gave me peace of mind.
You can get it at some granite stores I guess. I bought it on Amazon.
- Fairfax, Virginia
January 9, 2009
I went to Amazon and was shocked by how much their STONETECH Oil Stain Remover was, but I found a great price at Tri-Point Marble & Granite Restoration, $6.95 for the 3 oz size. Here is the link:
www.tripointpro.com/servlet/the-Stonetech/Categories
I'm in the middle of trying the cornstarch, bought baby powder, Shout, and ammonia
⇦this on
eBay or
Amazon [affil links] just in case, and am ordering the Stonetech for future problems. Good luck everyone!
- Reno, Nevada
February 17, 2009
Ed. note July 2023: The page that Laurie suggested no longer exists, but the company does -- so readers may wish to look around their site or phone them to see if they still offer the Stonetech oil stain remover.
It's good to shop around, Laurie! Thanks for finding that price :-)
When there is/was only seller/reseller on Amazon they perhaps do try to capitalize, but the situation may not prevail when a future reader checks ... and wherever they buy it people will save a lot buying a pint rather than 3 oz. if they need a lot. Thanks again!
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
A. Two months ago when my new kitchen was finished I discovered I had not done my homework and my new granite counters were subject to oil staining. Something as simple as oil on the bottom of my olive oil bottle leaves a ring. I tried the dawn, flour, water combination, and it made the stains lighter but they did not go away. Then I got the StoneTech Professional Oil Stain Remover [affil links], just a 3 oz can to try it out on my stains. WOW, it really works, the stains are gone! While I do intend to continue being careful, I no longer think something as simple as letting others (like my kids) cook or clean up in my kitchen will end up ruining my counters.
Suzanne Glade- Evanston, Illinois
February 3, 2009
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