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Stacey asked: How do I clean cement countertops that have been stained? I have dark, cement countertops that have been stained by citrus juice. The stains consist of faded areas and droplets. How do I remove the spots and previously applied wax and sealer? I want to be able to reseal and wax/buff the countertop without stains. Please advise. Thanks.
Concrete is a durable surface for countertops, but it’s extremely porous and without a good seal it stains easily. If the seal on your countertop isn’t properly maintained, or if an acidic substance such as citrus juice is left in contact with the surface, you may have a mess that won’t come clean. In order to get your concrete countertops back in shape, follow these steps.
You Will Need:
- Very fine grit sandpaper
- Concrete sealer
- Paste wax
- Mild detergent
- Water
- Sponge
- Dry towel
Steps to Remove the Stain:
- Wipe the counter free of dirt using a sponge and water. If there are spots of grease or other oils on the counter, clean those first with a solution of mild soap and water.
- Allow the countertop to dry completely, wiping with the towel.
- Next, use the fine grit sandpaper to gently sand the area affected by the acid. (If the stain is deeper than the surface, you might want to call in a professional.)
- Once the acid etching and stain has been sanded away, wipe away any dust with a damp cloth.
- Ensure the counter is completely dry before moving forward.
- Apply the concrete sealer. Follow package directions and allow it to dry as indicated.
- Finally, finish the job with the paste wax and buff according to package instructions. This product will help to protect the countertop from future scratching and staining.
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Additional Tips and Advice
- Avoid using cleaning products that contain bleach or ammonia on your concrete countertops. They will weaken the seal and make your counters more susceptible to stains.
- If you have a countertop with a unique texture or a mirror-like finish, it’s a good idea to consult the manufacturer or a licensed repairman to remove the stain and reseal the concrete.
- If your countertops are not properly sealed, or you believe the seal may be weak or compromised, avoid letting acidic or fatty substances make contact with it. Acids will etch the countertop, while fats and oils will leave dark stains.
- Depending on the countertop and the quality of sealer used, you may need to repeat the process occasionally to maintain the finish. If countertops show wear, it’s time for reapplication.
I have dark brown countertops, a color that was achieved using an acid stain. The counters are regualarly sealed with a topical sealant. After renting the house to an Airbnb guest, and despite the instructions we leave for proper care of the surface, there is now a large white stain on the countertop which is grainy and corroded looking. The color is almost completely gone from the area. What might have caused this? It’s my understanding that it is impossible to re-stain concrete that has been acid colored. Will I ever be able to have this damaged area blend in with the rest of the countertop?
David,
There are many things that could have caused the stain like bleach, oven cleaner, toiletries like facial cleanser, etc. However, there are concrete dyes you can use to try to make the spot similar to the rest of the counter, then seal the area afterward. Since it’s dark brown, it’s more likely to blend than a lighter color would. Another option is to refinish the concrete (sand off the top layer and re-stain (acid wash) the whole thing). Good luck!
Source: Home Depot – Eagle Root Beer Interior Concrete Dye
Source: Concrete Network – Quick Fix for Blemishes on Acid Stained Floors
Source: Concrete Natwork – Acid Stain Spots – Touching Up Problem Areas
Help; a bottle of cologne was left on a bathroom laminate countertop. It left a white ring on the surface. How do I remove the stain? I have tried baking soda with no luck. Thanks.
Sprite spilled on my unsealed concrete coffee table and the area where the Sprite was spilled is darker than the rest of the table. How do I clean this stain without damaging the concrete?
S,
Use Nature’s Miracle Hard Floor Cleaner; it’s an enzyme digester formulated for use on concrete and will eat up all the organic material causing the stain. It can be found at most major pet stores and at some majorr supermarkets. Follow the instructions on the label. Good luck!
Source: Nature’s Miracle – Hard Floor Stain and Odor Remover
That was a pretty thorough answer, so I hope you can help with mine. My concrete is not a countertop, instead a bathroom sink of blue concrete. I think the loss of color is due to just plain soap and water. I followed recommended cleaning directions and was constantly wiping the sink dry following use; nevertheless it’s looking pretty bad. Any recommendations for me? Thanks.
Susan,
The first step, which it sounds like you’ve already done, is to examine the sink to determine the cause of the staining. If the problem is caused by soap, the stains will be more splotchy, i.e. only in areas where the soap touched the sink. If the sink has lightened overall, there may be another problem such as photodegradation (damage from light).
Since you were wiping the sink dry, it sounds like you may have been dealing with a hard water issue, leaving a white hazy film over the surface of the sink where the water was allowed to dry (which can be prevented by wiping the sink dry). To remedy that problem you can install a home water softener.
Another potential problem having soap as the cause is there could be soap scum residue, similarly to hard water residue coating the sink and making it appear lighter or stained. Soap scum can often be removed with a little baking soda sprinkled on a damp cloth.
However, since you have already examined the sink and believe that the dye is being removed, unfortunately the only remedy for that problem will be to replace the missing dye. Try cleaning the sink with the baking soda just in case, or if that doesn’t work, you can try cleaning it with some diluted white vinegar (one part white vinegar in two parts water), which could work to remove either soap scum or mineral deposits from hard water. Then, if neither work, it’s a safe bet that you need to re-dye the sink. The same is true if the cause of the problem is photodegradation. Good luck!