When granite gets stained (and it often does), the stain has to be pulled out from the porous surface. With soap stains, it can be nearly impossible. However, there’s hope, as others have found ways to remove these stubborn stains. Here are some methods that have been successful.
Table of Contents:
Using Neutral pH Cleaning Products
You Will Need:
- Washing soda
- Water
- Non-alkali all purpose cleaner (ex: Simple Green Stone Cleaner)
- Soft cloths
- Soft bristled brush
Steps to Remove the Soap Stains:
- Mix water with a small amount of either non-alkali cleaner or washing soda. Non-alkali cleaners are simply neutral cleaners that will not damage the stone’s surface. Avoid any acidic cleaners as they can etch and dull the surface.
- Scrub the soap stain with the mixture. A soft bristled brush will help to work it into the grooves.
- Rinse well with clean water.
- Dry with a soft cloth and allow the area to air dry completely.
Removing Stains with Rubbing Alcohol
You Will Need:
- Rubbing alcohol
- Soft cloths
Steps to Remove the Soap Stains:
- Moisten a soft cloth with a small amount of rubbing alcohol.
- Rub the cloth over the stained area using small, circular motions.
- Add more alcohol as needed, and continue rubbing until the stain is removed.
- Once clean, dry with a clean cloth.
Using Ammonia to Remove Stains
You Will Need:
- Clear, household ammonia
- Water
- Clean cloths
- Soft bristled brush
Steps to Remove the Soap Stains:
- Though ammonia has the power to cut through soap scum, it should be used sparingly. Ammonia does not have a neutral pH, and can dull the surface with frequent use. Using colored ammonias can discolor the surface.
- Mix one gallon of water with ½ cup clear ammonia.
- Moisten a soft cloth with the mixture and scrub the soap stains away.
- Rinse well with clean water.
- Dry with a soft cloth.
Additional Tips and Advice
- If the granite surface has not been sealed, consider doing so. This will lessen the chances of stains and other liquids penetrating into the porous stone and leaving marks that can be difficult, if not impossible, to remove.
- Regular cleanings will help remove any residue before it has a chance to soak into the stone. This will reduce the chance of staining as well.
- There are commercial stone cleaners that are designed to remove soap stains. One you may want to consider is MB-3 Soap Film Remover.
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Due to its pH and the fat content, liquid soap when left in contact with granite counter tops can corrode and stain. If the area is stained, an application of baking soda or flour can draw the staining out. Just leave in contact for a minimum of 24 hours, cover the area in plastic wrap and wipe clean with plain water the following day. Be sure to dry the area completely.
Use natural granite cleaner. I always use natural cleaner or biodegradable soap with hot water to clean the granite. Then I use a natural cleaner intended specifically for granite. A few sprays and then a quick wipe with a microfiber cloth and the streaks are gone! I can’t comment on how it works, but it does!
I will use pledge with my microfiber cloth and it removes any water marks or streaks.
I have a light tan granite counter top and someone let the liquid hand soap drip down and sit on the counter top. Now is is stained and nothing seems to remove it. Any suggestions?
Soap on granite
Sounds too simple, but…
Just soak a sponge with water (don’t ring out) and leave sponge on the soap stain until the water evaporates. When the granite dries from where the sponge was the stain will be gone. Don’t know why it worked, but it soaked the hand soap over-spill right out of my granite counters.
Question on last comment
Do you wet the baking soda or flour? My old soap stain is not out after 48 hours.
Thanks Marcy
I tried your solution of using the wet sponge and it was a miracle. The stain just disappeared. Thank you so very much.
Removing soap stain from granite counters
To remove a soap stain from granite try soaking a sponge with water (don’t ring out) and leave the wet sponge on the soap stain until the water evaporates. When the granite dries from where the sponge was the soap stain will be gone. Let us know if it works!
Wet Sponge Doesn't Work
Thank you for your idea about putting a wet sponge on the soap stain and letting it dry. I bought a sponge that was extra thick and cut a hole in the center of it so I could slip it over the soap dispenser. I put it in place sopping wet and even placed something on the sponge to weigh it down to ensure every piece of the sponge made contact with the granite. I left it there to dry… several days. In fact, I did it twice. But, the soap stain is still there. Upon careful scrutiny I noticed that the stain appears to be a little lighter, but the greasy soap ring still is about 1/4 inch out and all the way around the soap dispenser. Sadly, this did not work. Any other ideas?
Hey, wait a minute...
Hey, my assessment might be a bit too hasty. I have tried using a wet sponge around my soap dispenser that’s built into my granite counter. At first I didn’t think it worked, but I’ve done it three or four times and it seems to get lighter and lighter. I have nothing to lose. I’m going to keep trying it to see if I can get it completely cleaned. Thanks for the idea… but, if anyone has other ideas (like the baking soda) maybe I’ll try those between the wet sponge attempts.
Wow! It works!
After using recommended solutions (baking soda paste, applying rubbing alcohol with a Q-tip), I decided to give the wet sponge idea a whirl. I’m delighted to say, the soap ring has disappeared. Thanks so much!
The Magic of the Sponge!!!!!
I had a soap ring on my new granite vanity. I did some research and found this site. I tried the sponge and IT WORKS!!!! I am so happy that the sponge took the soap ring completely out. No chemicals. Just the wet sponge on the granite and wait. It took four days for the sponge to dry but once it did the ring was gone. Thanks so much Marcy for the suggestion. It works like magic.
Amazing sponge!!!
Tried the alcohol…FAIL
Used the sponge method and it worked great.
Used the dripping wet sponge on two granite counter top liquid soap stains. Stains were caused by liquid soap dispensers sitting directly on granite. Wet sponges were left on stains until dry, with no lifting of sponges to check progress. Stains gone! Amazingly simple. Thank you!
(This process just might be diluting the soap in the porous granite-hence essentially removing the stain.)
Sponge method works for me. Done it 3 times on a stubborn soap stain aroung the dispenser.
Lighter and then lighter each time i do it. Almost all gone!!! Thanks