Kelly said, “We have new granite in our new bathroom that we have not yet moved into. We developed a dark rim around the faucet and handles and it is not wet. Our plumber thinks it may be from the putty he used. We removed the putty and the hardware but I’m not sure what to use to get the stain out. I tried flour, water, and dish detergent and got no results after 24 hours of being covered. Any advice would be appreciated. The granite is a light color and was professionally installed by our local dealer and they offered no help at all. Thank you, Kelly”
The putty used to seal the inside of a faucet to make it watertight is often referred to as, “Plumber’s Putty.” Although this putty prevents water from seeping in or out, the putty itself can seep out and cause dark stains on the counter around the faucet.¹ As a porous stone, granite is especially susceptible to these oily stains. Use the steps below to remove them.²
Removing the Stain
You Will Need:
- Pure acetone
- An absorbent powder
- Plastic wrap
- A plastic scraper
- A cloth
Steps to Remove the Stain:
- Combine the acetone with an absorbent powder, such as baking soda or talcum powder, to make a thick paste.
- Spread a 1/4 inch thick layer of the paste over the stain.
- Cover the paste with plastic wrap. Apply tape along the edges of the plastic wrap to hold it in place.
- Let it sit for 24 hours, then remove the plastic wrap only. Allow the paste to remain on the stain until it is fully dry.
- Once dry, scrape off the paste with a plastic scraper.
- Wipe of any remaining residue with a cloth.
- If the stain is still there, repeat the process as many times as needed for it to be fully removed.
Additional Tips and Advice
- Have a plumber replace the putty with a different type in order to prevent the stain from returning.
- Do not use nail polish remover instead of pure acetone as the polish remover contains additional additives as well as dyes that could damage the counter.
Sources
- 1001 Do-It-Yourself Hints & Tips by Reader’s Digest
- Removing Spots and Stains by Ibert and Eleanor Mellan
The Moen wide-set handle faucet in my recently remodeled hall bath produced an oily stain around the handles a couple of weeks after the contractor installed it. The pure talc plus acetone mixture worked at first, but the oil returned after a day or so. The contractor partially removed the handle and there is NO plumber’s putty on the handle base that is in contact with the granite. However, there is a light oily film there. Will the oil gradually stop leaking from the handle? Why is there oil in the handle or on the base of the handle?