There are many ways to clean granite countertops and keep them looking shiny and brilliant. Just avoid using cleaners that are too harsh; they can damage the sealant and dull the finish. Here are some simple steps to clean your granite surfaces and restore their shine.
Cleaning Soiled Granite
You Will Need:
- Soft cloth or sponge
- Bucket or large bowl
- Neutral dishwashing liquid
- Warm water
- Microfiber cloth
- Natural stone or granite cleaner
The Cleaning Process:
- Add a few drops of dishwashing liquid to the bucket or large bowl of warm water, working it until suds form.
- Wet your sponge or cloth with the soapy water and wipe the soapstone surface thoroughly.
- Rinse out your sponge or cloth with plain hot water and wipe away any sudsy residue from the soapstone surface. If you have streaks and a dull finish, it may be because there is still soap residue on the surface. Rinse the sponge or cloth again with hot water and wring it out thoroughly to remove most of the excess water. Wipe over the surface again to remove any residue.
- Wipe the surface dry with a microfiber cloth.
- Periodically clean your granite surfaces with a natural stone or granite cleaner to restore shine. Products such as Granite Gold are available at grocery stores, department stores, hardwares and home improvement stores.
Removing Stains from Granite
Granite is a porous stone, so time is of the essence when it comes to removing stains. Blot at the stain rather than rubbing it to avoid spreading the stain. The longer a stain sits, the more likely it is to soak in and will be nearly impossible to remove. Here is one removal technique that will work for several common stains.
You Will Need:
- Powdered whiting product such as Talc (available at paint and home improvement stores)
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Water
- Plastic wrap
- Tape
- Small bowl
- Clean cloths or sponge
- Microfiber cloth
The Removal Process:
- Poultice is made to absorb the stain out of the granite, but it will take time.
- Begin by mixing the poultice (powdered whiting and hydrogen peroxide) according to manufacturer’s instructions in the small bowl. You will want to create a thick paste. It should be the consistence of putty.
- Apply to the stained area, keeping it only on the stain. The layer of paste should be about one fourth of an inch thick and overlap the stain about a half an inch.
- Cover the area with plastic wrap and tape the edges down.
- Allow this to set on the stain until it’s dry. This can take up to two days.
- When the paste is completely dry, use a cloth or sponge to wipe away the paste.
- Rinse with clean water.
- Clean the area as normal and allow it to dry.
- If the stain remains, you may need to repeat steps 2-6 several times, each time removing more of the stain.
Additional Tips and Advice:
- Granite is very hard and scratch resistant. If you do have a scratch, it is best to have it repaired by a professional.
- Use coasters under all glasses to prevent stains on your granite surfaces.
- Avoid letting citrus or alcohol products sit on the granite surface as it can etch and dull it.
- Keep hot items off of granite; always use a trivet or hot pad for protection.
- Resealing your granite will help to preserve it and keep its shine. This is typically done approximately every 2 years.
- If you want to make your own pH balanced cleaner, try mixing 1 part water with 1 part alcohol (or less if preferred)
- If you have granite flooring, it’s best to clean it with granite cleaner or have a trained professional clean it. For daily maintenance, sweeping and dusting is usually sufficient.
I just had a new granite counter top installed, and noted that there is a small area of the counter top that looks dull. When you run your hand over it, it has a different smoothness to it than the rest of the surface. We did not notice this after it was installed. Is this stone damage? What else could it be?
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I need to know how to clean and maintain a newly installed jet-black polished granite memorial headstone, which seems smeared with dirty water following the cementing-in of the base material during installation in a cemetery plot.
My granite kitchen countertop in now five years old. The area near the sink that has always been wiped off many time a day is looking dull. How can I condition it to be like new?
Hi, I left a candle on my kitchen bench, which is either granite or caesar stone, and it has now left two mug-sized marks. The candles were never lit, but were sitting in the same place for several months. How do I remove these marks? Thank you.
How do I remove water stains from my black honed absolute granite counter tops?
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I used plaster dust in my poultice to remove a large oil stained area. It lifted the stain nicely, BUT the white of the plaster was captured wherever there were natural crevices. How do I get that cleared up?
Kim,
Try the method in the guide How to Remove Plaster from Floor Tiles. That should work in this situation as well. If you need to leave the water to soak for a while, then there will probably be a water stain left behind, but that should dry up fairly quickly (within a few days at the most). You can read more about that in the Water Stains section of the guide How to Remove Stains from Granite Countertops.
How to remove scratch on my kitchen granite floor?
Sara,
Minor scratches on granite can be gently buffed out using a very fine steel wool or a diamond sanding pad. Be aware though that this may remove the polish over that area and require the area be re-sealed.
Source: SF Gate – How to Repair a Minor Scratch in a Granite Countertop
Source: DoItYourself.com – How to Repair Granite Countertop Scratches
Trying to remove stains from steps that have over 150 years of dirt, soil, rust and soot on it. How would I do it? An expert is not an option.
This article might help with removing the stains: How to Remove Stains from Granite Countertops. Try the most likely remedy first, which in your case is probably inorganic stains, then keep trying new remedies until all of the stains are gone.
Please help; how do I clean off the whitish stains on the chemical resistant granite slab (black) in my lab, because I realize these stains keep expanding the more I try cleaning with soap and water. Please help!!!
Onuoha,
This is that article that you need: How to Remove Stains from Granite Countertops. If the stains occur due to cleaning, it may just be hard water stains or soap residue. Using distilled water to clean the area might help.
Hi,
I have Impala flamed granite slabs on my patio. Recently, a woman tried to buff it with a marble buffering machine and this has left white marks on various parts of the patio floor. How do I restore the granite to its original state without signs of etchings on the path? The guy suggested using a paint to even it out? Do u think this will damage it further? What is the best stuff to use?
How can I remove plaster marks from my black granite fire surround?
I’ve recently had a new granite hearth put in and covered it with newspaper whilst my room was plastered and painted. When I removed the paper, there were two dark marks on the granite. As I haven’t yet treated it, I don’t know what to do. I don’t know what the marks are, if they’re paint or plaster. How should I go about cleaning them? My granite is matte.
Jenny,
This article might help: How to Remove Stains from Granite Countertops.
While painting the house, paint drops fell all over our kitchen platforms laid with granite stones. This is looking absurd. Please inform how to remove paint stains without there being scratches on the granite platform.
K.V.,
This article might help: How to Remove Stains from Granite Countertops. Rubbing alcohol is more similar to paint thinner than hydrogen peroxide, so you may want to use the alcohol first.
How do I remove candle wax marks from my granite fireplace?
Pat,
It is usually the colorful dyes within the wax that leave a stain. Try the poultice for dye stains mentioned in this article: How to Remove Stains from Granite. The How to Remove Candle Wax Stains article recommends rubbing alcohol, so I would use that for the poultice.
I spilled CLR on my granite countertop and it left a dull white stain. Do I need it professionally fixed? What can I try to remove stain and regain the shine?
Barbara,
This is the article that you need: How to Remove Stains from Granite Countertops. This article might also help: How to Remove Acid Stains from Marble.
I have a black granite countertop, which always looks streaky. What’s the best way to clean it daily that won’t cause streaks?
I have installed exterior granite panels and the joints were filled with silicone sealant. The installer tried cleaning the sealant with the recommended solvent, but the sealant and solvent left smears that attract dust. Everywhere the sealant was cleaned off, dust collects. I clean it and it is back within hours. Any suggestions on how to rid this problem?
It’s okay.
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I have white wine stains on my new Star Galaxy granite worktop. These are in the form of rings from the bottom of the glass and one small patch that I think a glass may have been knocked over. I did not realize that wine could damage the granite. This was about three weeks ago. Is there anything that I can do to repair this, or is it permanent?
Thanks,
Jane
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