Question: “How do I remove water stains from my black honed absolute granite counter tops?”
Removing
stains from granite countertops can be both a challenge and a puzzle at the same time. In order to remove a stain, you need to ensure that it is indeed a stain and not damage to the stone. Next, you need to determine what caused the stain so that you can apply the correct materials to remove it. Here are guidelines for determining the problem and the necessary steps to resolve it.
Stain or Damage?
Use these guidelines to determine whether the spots you are seeing are in fact stains or if they are areas of damaged stone. If you are unsure, consult a professional before proceeding.
Stains:
- Discoloration from the stone absorbing a staining agent (coffee, tea, oil, etc.)
- When the staining agent is removed, the stain is gone.
Damage:
- A change in the natural chemical makeup of the stone.
- Not caused by the stone absorbing an agent, but rather caused by damage to the surface.
- Corrosion, typically caused by acids, leaving “rings” or “water spots” that cannot be removed. Some examples of things that might cause these stains are toilet bowl cleaner or spilled white vinegar.
- You cannot remove a “stain” that is actually damage as it requires repairing/removing the damaged area.
- It needs to be determined if the damage is to the stone or to the protective coating/sealant. (Some types of granite do not require sealants and when they are applied, they become damaged and look as though the area is stained.)
- The remedy for damaged stone is to refinish it. Use one of these guides for more information: How to Remove Vinegar Stains from Granite Countertops or How to Remove Chemical Stains from Countertops.
Removing Stains from Granite
Removing stains requires the use of a poultice. A poultice consists of two materials: 1) an absorbent material, such as Bounty or Viva paper towels, talcum powder or diatomaceous earth and 2) a chemical to remove the stain. There are five different categories of stains and each has its own designated chemical for the poultice.
*If your stain is caused by a soap bottle/dispenser, see our guide How to Remove Dish Soap Rings from Granite Countertops.
Categories of Stain:
- Stains: Organic (coffee, soda, mustard, gravy, tea, etc.)
Chemical: Hydrogen Peroxide (30%-40% by volume) - Stains: Inorganic (ink, dyes, dirt, etc.)
Chemical: Rubbing Alcohol for ink; Hydrogen Peroxide (30%-40% by volume) for all others - Stains: Oil (any type of cooking oil, some mineral oils, butter, margarine, etc.)
Chemical: Pure Acetone (avoid using nail polish remover as different brands have different ingredients) - Stains: Biological (mold, mildew, etc.)
Chemical: Bleach or MB-9 - Stains: Metal (rust, copper, etc.)
Chemical: Iron-out (a white powder available at hardware stores)
The Removal Process:
Due to the nature of this removal process, you may want to test a small, inconspicuous area of the stone to ensure there are no adverse effects.
- Begin by mixing the poultice (ex: talc powder and hydrogen peroxide). You will want to create a thick paste. It should have the consistency of putty.
- Apply the mix 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 it to set for 24 hours.
- Remove the tape and plastic wrap only, leaving the poultice in place.
- Allow this to remain on the stain until it is completely dry. This can take anywhere from a couple of hours to a couple of days.
- When the paste is completely dry, use a plastic scraper to scrape away the paste.
- Wipe remaining paste away with a clean cloth.
- Clean the area as normal and dry with another clean cloth.
- If the stain remains, you may need to repeat steps 2-6 several times, especially for oily stains, each time removing more of the stain.
Water Stains
Most water stains are only a temporary problem. The granite may darken or lighten in color when the water is absorbed into the stone. However, once the water evaporates, the color of the stone should return to normal. To prevent this absorption from happening in the first place, it is necessary to seal the surface of the granite with a high quality sealer. This can be completed on your own or by a professional.
If hardwater stains occur, they can be removed by applying vinegar to the area using the same methods as above.
Repairing Damage to Granite
It will require professional assistance to repair damaged stone. You can also consult the location where you purchased your stone for advice and service options.
Other Stains
If you need to remove super glue from your granite, we have a guide detailing the process for that: How to Remove Super Glue from Granite.
If you have dark stains that are only around the faucet, these are usually caused by the oils in the plumber’s putty used to seal the faucet. We have a guide specifically for this problem as well: How to Remove Plumber’s Putty Stains from Granite.
Additional Tips
- If you absolutely cannot remove the stain, you can lighten or darken the stone as needed to hide the stain using the methods in the guide How to Restore Granite Countertop Color.
Although staining a properly sealed granite countertop is unlikely, I found this article to be a good source of information about how to remove stains from granite countertops.
We put a bleach bottle down on the granite counter top – it left a ring. How can we remove this stain (ring)?
The same thing has happened to me. Did you get yours out, and if so, how did you do it? Many thanks.
Yes, that’s exactly what happened. How can we remove those stains?
Yoram,
Unfortunately, bleach removes color, meaning that it is not a stain sitting on top of the surface that needs to be removed. The area will need to be refinished. You can try only removing the finish, however it is likely that the bleach has penetrated into the stone. To remedy that, the area will need to be sanded down to below the stain. It can be done, just be gently so you only remove as much stone as needed to remove the stain and no more. Be sure to smooth the edges as well so the area feels even. Use the method for Removing Burn Marks from Solid Surface Countertops in the guide How to remove Burn Marks from Countertops. Good luck!
We just got our granite countertops about two months ago and we were not told that we need to seal it. I got bacon grease on it and it left a stain. I am really upset. Has anyone tried to remove the stain with the combination they mention on this site? I am so afraid I will ruin it more.
Shelby
The granite around my kitchen sink has become darker. It looks like a water stain, but never drys, just seems to get darker. My housekeeper claims she did not use any cleaner on the granite. What could be causing the granite to be turning dark? Thanks in advance for any help you can give.
There was a glass left on my black granite coffee table for about two days while I was away for the weekend. There is a glass ring stain that will not come off. What can I use to clean the stain that will not damage granite? I’d very much appreciate any help. Thanks!!
We made margaritas over the holiday weekend. When I cleaned the counter, it left rings on the counter. How do I remove them? Thanks bunches, Cyndy
We have a black honed granite kitchen counter which has a light gray stain on it from bleach. Any help?
Our whole countertop turned dark after 4 months; It was supposed to have a 15 year seal. The supplier can’t figure out what happened. Can anything be done to restore the original color?
How do I remove a bleach stain from my black granite counter-top?
The granite around my kitchen sink has become darker after I used oven cleaner for the sink. How do I remove the stain?
Thank you so much.
In Nov. 2009, I spilled bleach on my black honed granite. It left a stain that was lighter than the stone. Turns out that the stone itself will not stain, it being non-reactive to the high pH of bleach (alkali). What happens is that the sealer gets etched, so here’s what I did. I carefully applied a methylene-based paint remover according to instructions just to the spots. I then treated the spots with an enhancer according to instructions, which I repeated three times. Wax on/wax off. It wasn’t completely gone right away, but it’s almost a year now and the stain is gone. Saved $600 for grinding and resealing.
Hi, this is the first post that seems helpful. We actually set a plastic measuring cup with bleach and water on a black speckled countertop and now there is a light ring on the spot. We washed it with water and granite cleaner fairly quickly but not immediately. I have a spare piece of the same granite to test on and will try your suggestions. You mentioned the cost for grinding. If we went that way any idea who would do that in the home?
Hand soap is alkaline, but mildly so. Granite is non-reactive and the soap is too mild to etch the sealer. My guess is what you got is a water stain where water gets under the sealer and darkens the color. Give it time and it will dry out and the stain will disappear. Again, my guess.
Hello,
I have a water stain around my faucet that won’t dry up. I had granite counter tops installed about a month ago and we have noticed a water stain building up around the ring where the faucet is installed. We removed the faucet and have left it to dry for 5 days now and the stain is no different in color than when we started the drying process. How can I get this water stain to dry up?
I know once it is dry, I will seal it like crazy, but until that time, I need advise on how to get this water stain out.
Thank you so much for posting this information to get stains out of granite! It worked GREAT!!! My five-year-old daughter had left one of her many art projects on our granite countertop. This particular masterpiece was done in permanent marker. Over the weekend, we had many people in and out of the house and at some point, someone placed an empty glass on the art work. The water coming from the outside of the glass caused the ink to bleed into the granite. Worst part is no one noticed it for a day or so…the ink was blue and the granite is almost white! It looked so bad; I just knew we were never going to get it out! I took the saran wrap off at 8:30 p.m. last night, allowed it to dry over night and this morning it came off beautifully! Thanks again for saving our counter!!!
Regarding water stains around the faucets (sink). My plumber just installed a sink over new granite counter. He began using “putty” to install fittings and remembered out loud, “I need to use only silicone to install these; putty will darken the area around the faucet and I had to buy someone a new countertop for this mistake.” Check and see what your plumber used. Hope this helps.
I have what I think are water stains in two places around my sink. I want to reseal the counter, but not until the stains go away. Any advice on how I can help these stains dry quickly? With it being around the sink, I feel I will never get to reseal it. I tried using my hairdryer, but did not see a difference. I appreciate any advice. I thought a granite countertop was the toughest and easiest material to take care of. Doesn’t seem to be the case so far…
My mouthwash left a darkened ring on my gray granite vanity top. Any suggestions? Thanks.
Hi, My mother-in-law put bleach and water in my black granite sink and it left white marks. Is there anything I can do to remove the white stains? Thank you.
Just bought my condo and I have two dark (almost looks like tar or oil) stains on the countertop. How can I clean them and what could it be?
I put a few layers of newspaper on my dark grey granite bench top, then put oven shelving on the newspaper and sprayed it with oven cleaner, not realizing that the oven cleaner would soak through the newspaper and onto the granite bench top, which now has streaky, light marks on it.
Could you suggest what I might do to try and get rid of these “streaky” marks? Many thanks.
We put in a faucet that turns on when you touch it, and it left a stain on our granite countertop, which we believe is from its battery. The stain is greenish in color. What kind of poultice would be best to try to remove the stain?
I have two brown rings on my granite countertop from candles. Any suggestions on how to get a wax ring off?
I have a red wine stain on my granite counter top. Should I use peroxide and talc, as this site suggested, for organic materials?
How do I get White-Out off my granite countertop?
I put a bottle of bleach on my granite countertop. I picked it up and I did not notice there was bleach on the bottom of the bottle, and now there is a light pink and white stain on my light beige countertop. Please help!
Any help please; I have two white ring marks on my black granite worktop. Could anyone tell me how to remove them please? Thanks, Dave.
Dark Stain.
Recently, I noticed a dark stain on an outside corner of my beige with brown streaks granite bathroom countertop. What could it be and how do I clean it? Please help; it would be greatly appreciated!
I have a granite bathroom countertop that is a year old. The installer told me to seal it and when dark spots appear that do not dry, it meant I needed to reseal those spots. I did, but now I have what appear to be two permanent dark spots. I’m wondering if resealing just those two spots trapped something even though they were completely dry when I resealed. Do I need to remove the sealer and then do something else?
Thanks, Cindy
I used a bathroom cleaner with bleach and it left stains on the granite surface. What is the best method to treat the surface? I am confused; is it hydrogen peroxide and talc, or is it methylene paint remover?
Please help…I’m moving from my rental soon.
My granite floor darkened after rain water seeped into my floor skirting, and underneath my granite. It has been a month, and that portion of the stone still has not reverted to its original color. Any solution? Appreciate your kind help!
We just installed a new vanity with a granite black top finish, and by mistake I picked up Scrubbing Bubbles instead of the granite wipes. It stained my granite top and left it with white spots. Please help; I tried granite cleaner and it didn’t help at all.
How do I remove a ring on my black granite from a bottle of shampoo?
I mistakenly spilled some cleaning solution (that I use for the toilet) on my black granite counter top, and it left a white streak on it. I just purchased that counter top, and did not know that I should have had it sealed. What can I do to remove the stain?
I sat a pitcher of lemonade on my less than one month old black granite counter top. Now, I have two white rings. What can I do?
I left a wet cutting board on my granite counter top, and mold grew under it, leaving a dark stain. Whats the best way to apply the bleach to remove it?
Thanks!
Hi, my new black granite kitchen counters have white spots and rings from the bottoms of glasses. I am unsure what is making these marks, however I believe it might be caused from citrus fruits, as one mark was confirmed to be caused by a pineapple. Does anyone know how to either remove the stain, or color the marks back to black? Thanks.
We just bought a new house and there are what look to be white water stains on our black granite around the faucets in our master bathroom. How should I remove these?
Thanks, Nicole
My blue granite counter top has bleach stains. What steps do I need to take to repair?
I put a bottle of oil on my bathroom counter overnight, and now there is a black ring. How do I remove this? Please help! Thanks.
I have four black rubber circles caused from the legs of a coffee machine on my light colored granite. Can anyone help…
John,
The stains from rubber feet are either scuff marks (rubber being transferred onto the surface) or they are caused by the oil in the rubber seeping out. If the stains were scuffs, an eraser would work to remove them. Art gum erasers work best, but any eraser can work – just don’t use a pink eraser as it may leave pink stains. However, since you described the stains as four circles, that sounds like oil stains. Try using the method above for oil stains. Good luck!
I had three olive oil stains on my new white granite. They looked like dark grey spots. I applied a poultice of talcum powder and acetone, covered it, and let it sit overnight. It worked!! I’m so happy to say that the stains are gone. I was very nervous about applying the acetone onto the granite but it didn’t damage it at all!
I have an oil ring on my light colored counter top. The oil is a diffuser oil. How can this be taken out?
Thanks,
Linda
Linda,
Try the pure acetone poultice to remove the stain.
You can also mix an oil-absorbing powder, such as baking soda, talcum powder or cornstarch with hydrogen peroxide to make a paste, apply the paste to the stain and wrap the area with plastic wrap to draw out the oil.
Source: Stone City – Granite Countertops Care
Help; like all the people commenting, I have a stain on my granite counter top that is easily removable and described exactly how to do it above, but I’m too lazy to read the article to find out what to do. Please help! 🙂
Hi, I have black granite worktops and spilled some bleach on them. It was only there a couple of minutes, but it left a mark. You can only see it in certain light, but how do I polish it back to how it was before? Grateful for any help. Thanks.
I splashed scrub-free bath cleanser plus OxiClean in some parts of my Piedra Fina bath counter. Now I have many dots of all sizes on parts of my counter. Any suggestion on what to do to remove the marks…they look lighter.
Please help me. Thanks.
I followed the instructions for an organic stain (raspberry) on my granite countertop and it totally worked. Yay! And this stain was almost a year old!
I did a home-fix on my new white granite and after the final touch of acid wash, the granite turned yellow! Can someone please tell me how to restore the white granite color?
I have a stain around my faucet caused by the plumber’s sealant. The whitish granite now has a dark ring around the faucet. I’ve tried flour, water and dish detergent with no luck. Then, I tried flour and hydrogen peroxide; again, no luck. What should I use and will this come out? My plumber says he’s never seen this happen; I think he didn’t know what he was doing now that I’ve read more on this subject. I can’t seem to find any solution to this problem; I’vbe read about others who have had this happen to them, but no one is posting what they did to remedy it. Please; any suggestion will be appreciated!
Kelly,
Plumber’s putty (used as a sealant) is a common cause for dark stains on granite around the faucet because it contains oil. Silicone is typically used as a sealant in place of plumber’s putty for granite or other natural stone sinks because even the non-staining plumber’s putties can sometimes stain granite. If the putty is causing the stain, you need to have the putty replaced, otherwise the stain will return. Try the acetone poultice to remove the stain.
You can also try covering the stain with baking soda, talcum powder, cornstarch, or even flour to draw the oil out of the counter, similarly as one would for oil stains on a couch or concrete. If the dry powder doesn’t work, turn the powder into a poultice by mixing with either acetone or water to make a paste, apply the paste to the stain and wrap the area with plastic wrap to draw out the oil.
Source: About.com
For a mouthwash stain, similar to soap stains that are dry, use a wet sponge and leave it on the stain for as long as it takes to dry up the sponge (24-48 hours). Remove the sponge and voila; the stain is gone!
Hi, I need HELP! I rent my home and I was using Lysol Toilet bowl cleaner in the toilet and did not notice that some had gotten on the bottle and I set it on the counter… it left a blue spot in the shape of a C on the counter! Is there any way I can get it out?
Rhonda,
I broke a red ballpoint pen on a counter at a house where I was visiting and tried everything I could find to get it out – baking soda, vinegar, rubbing alcohol, dish soap – to no avail. Finally, I found some Oxi-Clean laundry detergent and it worked! The stain was completely gone within minutes. It was the concentrated powder version. Good luck!
I had a soap dish that turned moldy and spread on the granite. I used some bleach to remove it . Now there is discoloring and a ring around the paper towel dispenser. How do I get rid of the ring and the discoloration?
I just want to clarify something. Does the paste really require 30-40% Hydrogen Peroxide? I ask because I have been unable to find it anywhere except online. It is very expensive (at around $50 or more for a little bottle) and says it is highly corrosive.
You can get hydrogen peroxide at any drugstore for about a dollar per quart.
I have a dark ring from cooking oil on my countertop. What type of paste should I use (what would I make it out of) and what other processes should I do?
A drop of lemonade mix was left on my granite counter top overnight and left a stain. How can I get it off?
Hi,
I am concerned. We have a partially granite kitchen table; a glass of gin and tonic with lots of ice was put on it and now we have four ring marks and cannot remove the marks. Can you help?
My tabletop has three or four ring marks in the finish. How can I remove them? I am not sure what caused the problem because I rent this apartment; maybe alcohol, not sure. Thanks.
Hi,
I have polished black granite worktops and have several light ring marks made by wine glasses. Please advise if these can be removed and how.
Thanks.
How do I get coffee stains off my granite countertop? My coffee pot overflowed and I didn’t see it until the next day.
I put a product for cleaning my dinnerware on my granite countertop. It left a deep ring in it. How do I get this stain off my granite countertop?
My laundry detergent stained my new granite countertop. Would the hydrogen peroxide and talc be the best solution to try?
My cabinet is cherry and I am about to put in Kashmir white granite countertops. Do you think this is advisable, since now I am hearing all these complaints about staining?
The stain I have been trying to remove came from the paper towel holder with an oil base rubber material bottom that inadvertently left a stain from where I had it near the sink. Would appreciate getting confirmation to use a cream of tartar and hydrogen peroxide poultice. Many thanks.
A plastic soap dispenser was left on the corner of a bathroom sink granite top. Over the winter, when the house was unattended, a dark corner resulted. I believe the plastic container split and soap was leaking on the granite. The granite co. placed a putty-type material on the stain and sealed it with a plastic cover. After 24 hours and two tries, the stain is still there…Any suggestions?
Read all comments regarding stains above, but not much help for I need specific input on how to remove bleach stains. Vague references to hydrogen peroxide and talk about methylene paint thinner isn’t much to go on. If u could dilate/clarify what, exactly, I need to do to, hopefully, restore the countertop or point me in right direction I would greatly appreciate it and I thank you in advance for your anticipated courtesy/assistance in this regard.
Apprehensively yours, HK
Please advise how I can remove stains from a new gravestone made from viscount white granite. The stains were caused by a dissolved by rain red dye from an artificial flower left on the grave. It looks like the dye penetrated inside the granite stone. I would appreciate your help. Regards from Poland, Andrzej
Andrzej,
Try the solution for dye stains; a hydrogen peroxide poultice.
I have recently installed a granite countertop and in the process of installing the new backsplash, the installer mentioned he plans to do an acid wash (or spray) on the backsplash. I am concerned what might happen to the granite countertop if the acid wash is not confined to the backsplash. Please advise immediately, as he plans to do that today.
We have burn stains from pots on our counter tops…also granite tiles on the floor that have different dye colors. How do I fix it?
Betty,
These are the articles that you need: How to Remove Burn Marks from Granite Flooring or How to Remove Burn Marks from Countertops.
I have a newly installed light-colored granite counter and a friend left lime wedges on the counter, leaving white marks!! Help!!!! I also have hard water marks around the faucet-I tried Granite Gold, which didn’t help…
I was also cleaning my bathroom and left the cleaner with bleach on my countertop while cleaning and now I have a nice white ring on the counter. Does any one have any ideas on how to hide this or remove it? Please help; getting desperate.
THANK YOU so much for your insight and help! We left a container of strawberries on our sealed granite countertop for several days and it leaked a 12″ diameter stain. We made the hydrogen peroxide/talc combination and followed your directions to the letter. After it dried, I wiped it away and the stain was gone!!! I was so relieved!
I have to agree with Idiot’s earlier post. I find it hard to believe that everyone is able to afford granite countertops, yet do not have the capacity/willingness to read the article above. If you are that stupid/lazy, how did you afford the granite in the first place? Take a minute and read the article before you post your moronic questions; you might realize your question has already been answered. Mold on your counter? Really?? How long do you have to let something sit and fester for that to happen? Advise immediately? Faith in humanity…long gone.
New granite in bathrooms have ring where the antibacterial soap dispensers are. How do I get rid of it? Is it the water or soap that is staining it?
Cathy,
Since it’s in a ring shape, I would bet that it’s a water stain; like if there was still water on the counter when you set the dispenser down while cleaning, or if it dripped down the dispenser from your hand. If it were a soap stain, it would be more of a puddle shape from a leak in the dispenser. Since you are unsure, you may have hard water and the stain is actually a mineral deposit. In that case, use the article How to Remove Mineral Deposits from Granite Countertops. If you think it could be a soap stain after all, use the article How to Remove Soap Stains from Granite.
Hi. I have a brown granite worktop in my kitchen & I accidentally put a hot pan on the granite & it has left a ring mark on it. Can you give me advice on to how to get rid of this mark please?
Abeda,
This article may help: How to Remove Burn Marks from Countertops. If not, perhaps this one will help: How to Remove Burn Marks from Granite Flooring.
When renewing our kitchen last year, we decided to have granite worktops. After listening to peoples comments on which color is most recommended, we went to our local supplier. We asked him to recommend us a top most suitable for our needs. I have cooked for masses, for charities and love entertaining. The supplier showed me where the samples were, in open yard outside. We were left to choose without any help. We chose `Sahara Gold’. After 2 weeks of being installed, I accidentally dropped a cooked sausage. I immediately wiped the surface. Overnight, a greasy stain appeared. Also, near the sink water marks appeared. The supplier came and resealed all the worktops. Everything was fine for 2 weeks. Then, a dark mark appeared all around the cooking area and the sink. If you look at the thickness of the worktop, you can see a 1 cm deep darkness. Where we had a piece of heavy marble near the oven for hot items, when I lifted it, it had the original color on it. The rest of the worktops, which are separate areas, are not effected. When we asked the supplier to help us with this, he said it was our cleaning products. One particular one which we have only used for 1 month, since this January, got the blame. But the darkness was already there beforehand. Also, we used this product all around, and it hasn’t effected other parts. I contacted the consumer advice, they said the worktop is not fit for the purpose it is meant for, so I should ask the supplier to remedy it. And if not, then go to small claims court.
Since then, we have seen many comments about problems with granite. If I had known this earlier, I would have had Formica or even the cheap MDF type. We had MDF for 11 years with 100% satisfaction. What a mistake it is to think that granite is best. As we have spent thousands on this awful granite; we are lumbered with it until we can afford to replace it. Any help will be appreciated.
The exact same thing has happened to us. Three weeks after having it installed we noticed stains. We contacted the supplier who came out and cleaned and resealed it, but it was never the same. Three years later it is a total disgrace and the supplier won’t even answer my phone calls, not to mind remedying it. What I can’t understand is how they are able to get away with selling this product when it is not fit for the purpose it is meant for and we are not warned of it faults at the beginning. I would really love to know how you rectified the situation as this also cost me thousands.
We just got our granite countertops. There is this haze over the top of it. I was told that this is in the stone. Can it be damaged when they put sealer over it? Can this be fixed?
Laura,
The sealant could be the cause of the haze. Stone Care International says, “The haze that you see is from excess sealer that dried on the surface. This is normal for less-porous stones. The haze can easily be removed by reapplying the sealer to the surface, let it stay wet for one minute, and then buff off the excess with a clean and dry towel.”
CountertopSpecialty.com agrees that the haze could be from sealant that dried on the surface, either from an improper application or because the stone is non-porous and may not need sealant. They recommend that you test the stone to determine if it needs sealant.
Source: Stone Care International – Frequently Asked Questions
Source: CountertopSpecialty.com – Haze from Sealing Granite Countertops
Hi,
The granite around my sink has darkened and around my cooktop. Do you have any advise on how to treat it so it lightens up again? I’ve had the granite for three years. It was sealed when we had it installed. The name of the granite is Caledonia. I have tried a poultice with baking soda and mineral spirits a few times. It helped, but not enough. Do you have any other suggestions?
Thank you.
Vera
Hi, we got a small bit of over pride cleaner on our granite worktop and it has gone much lighter than the rest. Is this a stain or damage? What can we do to repair?
My daughter left a glass with cooking oil in it on my new granite counter top, which supposedly had been sealed. Thinking that it could do no harm, I left it there. To my surprise, I found a deep stain (grease) on removal. I’ve tried acetone, vinegar and soda liquid detergent. What will get this out!
I have what appears to be a water stain around our sink by the faucet. We took the sink apart and it is not the faucet leaking. What can we do to remove the dark areas that appear to be water? We have not used anything that would have caused this problem.
Teri,
Dark stains around the faucet could be, as you said, water stains. Try not to use the sink for several hours or even a whole day to see if the stains evaporate, which would prove they are actually water stains. If the stains don’t evaporate, they probably aren’t water stains. Stains around the faucet are often caused by the plumber’s putty that is used to seal the faucet. Even the non-staining kinds of plumber’s putty often stain granite, which is why silicon is often used instead. A plumber’s putty stain is an oil stain, so try the acetone poultice. Even if you remove the stain though, you would need to have the putty removed and replaced so that it doesn’t stain the counter again.
Source: About.com – Avoid Plumber’s Putty Stains on Granite
I have dark grey, very porous counters in my bathroom. It appears shaving cream drips were left unattended for more than we week and now left dark spots. There are other spotty areas which are mystery marks, but my guesses would be toothpaste, eye drops, as well as the identified shaving cream. In the event I can not remove these stains, is there a countertop stain that I could use to even out the color? Then, what is best sealer to use in a bathroom situation?
Colleen,
According to CountertopSpecialty.com, toothpaste and shaving cream stains are often not really stains as much as they are damage (etching). However, try removing the mark with a poultice first; either the peroxide or acetone poultice might work.
Dying granite is very tricky because the stone is made up of a variety of minerals, each of which would absorb the dye differently. Also, there is no guarantee that the dye would cover up the marks/stains. As far as I know, there isn’t a dye sold commercially that is specifically used for granite, although if you want to paint over the stone, there are paints made for use on granite or stone.
The sealer that you need depends on the particular piece of granite; some stones shouldn’t be sealed at all. Test your granite to determine if it needs to be sealed. If you do decide to seal the stone, Ethos Marble Care recommends the use of an oliophobic penetrating sealer for bathroom and kitchen countertops because it will seal the stone against not only water, but also oils. However, a sealant will not prevent future damage, such as etching.
Source: CountertopSpecialty.com – Removing Marble Toothpaste Stains
Source: Sculpture.net – Coloring granite
Source: eHow – How to Color Granite
Source: Ethos Marble Care – Types of stone sealant and how they work
Source: CountertopSpecialty.com – Sealing Granite Countertops: The Real Test
We have a bacon grease stain on our new granite countertop. What would you do??
Bill,
Since grease is so similar to oil, I would try the poultice for oil stains first. Butter is listed in the oil poultice section, but it is actually a grease because it is animal-based (dairy). If that doesn’t work, you can try the poultice for organic stains.
Source: Difference Between – Difference Between Oil and Grease
My fabricator says he only used acetone on my white and grey granite. It turned the granite yellow. He says there may have been some ager on the cloth he used. Is there any way to reverse this?? The granite has not been sealed.
I have a white cookie jar on my dark granite counter top that left a white ring. What can I use to get this mark out?
Joanne,
The white ring could be a water stain (if the cookie jar was still wet when you replaced it after washing). If that is the case, use the information in the Water Stains section at the bottom of the article.
If the ring is solid, then it’s possible that the stain could be from sunlight exposure to all areas surrounding the cookie jar. If that is the case, your best option is to darken the spot, rather than try to turn the entire counter back to the lighter shade. To darken the spot, this is the article that you need: How to Restore Granite Countertop Color.
Left a wrapped cube of butter on the counter top to soften. When I picked it up the next day, there was a dark stain. Can this be removed?
Mary,
That stain can be removed! Use the method for oil stains.
I have a dishwashing detergent stain on my granite bench top; the bottle spilled and was not noticed for several weeks (unused cottage), so which method is best for removal? The inorganic method; number 2?
I left bathroom cleaner on my granite counter top in several places and now there are white spots everywhere I sprayed it. Is this a stain or damage? Can it be fixed? Thanks for you help.
Barbara and Angie,
Whether your situation is a stain or damage depends on the chemicals that are in the product. You can try using the inorganic method to remove the spots in case they are stains, but if not, it could be that the chemicals etched the stone and caused damage.
I left a candle snuffer on my granite fireplace and it has left a dark ring. How can I remove it?
Pat,
The dark stain left by a candle snuffer is likely soot. Soot has a high oil content, which is why it could possibly soak into the granite. Try either the oil stain removal method or the inorganic method.
Source: HowToCleanStuff.net – How to Clean Soot from Clothing
The counter soap dispenser left a dark stain half an inch around the base of the dispenser. Tried alcohol, peroxide, and baking soda paste with no luck. Suggestions?
Kathryn,
This is the article that you need: How to Clean Soap Stains from Granite.
I am remodeling my kitchen and was about to buy granite counter tops. After reading all of these horror stores, I’m thinking that would be a huge mistake. However, none of these commenters mention if their granite had been sealed or not. If sealed, would bleach, or sink putty, or mouthwash, or orange juice stain it? Leaves me to wonder why in the world would anyone buys granite.
Hi,
I used Oven Pride on my oven grills and washed before bringing them in the house. However, we’ve noticed ‘grill marks’ on the worktop near the sink where I had placed them to wash in hot soapy water. It’s just slightly faded the colour in straight lines. Can this be repaired?
Help, we have left our Ovenpride bag cleaning oven parts overnight and it has leaked Ovenpride cleaner into our granite worktop. Can we get this out?
The process as outlined in the article worked wonders!!!!
Thank you!!!
Our house cleaners had cleaned our marble bathroom countertops and while they were still wet, put candle sticks back on them which had a black felt base. Well, needless to say, when I happened to need to move a candlestick weeks later, there was a giant dye circle on our countertops.
I followed the advice for dye and used our household hydrogen peroxide (3%) mixed with some DE (Diatomaceous earth) that we have for our pool. One of your neighbors with a pool probably has some if you don’t want to go buy some. Or, use one of the other powders recommended.
I put the poultice on, covered with wrap and taped down, left for a day, took the wrap off, let the poultice completely dry out (another day more or less), and then scraped of the powder – voila – no more stain.
Awesome!!
Here is process again – don’t ask how – just follow directions.
Categories of Stain:
Stains: Organic (coffee, soda, mustard, gravy, tea, etc.)
Chemical: Hydrogen Peroxide (30%-40% by volume)
Stains: Inorganic (ink, dyes, dirt, etc.)
Chemical: Rubbing Alcohol for ink; Hydrogen Peroxide (30%-40% by volume) for all others
Stains: Oil (any type of cooking oil, some mineral oils, butter, margarine, etc.)
Chemical: Pure Acetone (avoid using nail polish remover as different brands have different ingredients)
Stains: Biological (mold, mildew, etc.)
Chemical: Bleach or MB-9
Stains: Metal (rust, copper, etc.)
Chemical: Iron-out (a white powder available at hardware stores)
The Removal Process:
Due to the nature of this removal process, you may want to test a small, inconspicuous area of the stone to ensure there are no adverse effects.
Begin by mixing the poultice (ex: talc powder and hydrogen peroxide). You will want to create a thick paste. It should have the consistency of putty.
Apply the mix 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 it to set for 24 hours.
Remove the tape and plastic wrap only, leaving the poultice in place.
Allow this to remain on the stain until it is completely dry. This can take anywhere from a couple of hours to a couple of days.
When the paste is completely dry, use a plastic scraper to scrape away the paste.
Wipe any remaining paste away with a clean cloth.
Clean the area as normal and dry with another clean cloth.
If the stain remains, you may need to repeat steps 2-6 several times, especially for oily stains, each time removing more of the stain.
I put a very hot pot on my black granite counter top & now there is a white ring mark on the granite. The granite has been sealed several years ago. How do I remove the ring mark?
Maureen,
This is the article that you need: How to Remove Burn Marks from Granite Flooring.
I placed new granite counter tops in my new remodeled kitchen and noticed weeks after installed that there were some yellowish stains on one area of the counter that apparently were done prior to installation. Not knowing for sure what the stain was made of, I did some reading and started with the first mix (hydrogen peroxide with talc powder) and nothing happened; waited a week, tried the next mix (Clorox bleach with paper towels), and the stains got a brighter yellow almost orange color. I wasn’t sure if this meant it was drawing the stain out or it was not working. Waited again a week and now tried pure acetone with paper towels, finally I notice it coming out; the paper towels actually had some of the dye (yellow stain) on it. I am hoping that with one or two more times of doing this the stains will finally come out completely.
My question is how quickly can I redo the process? The counter top is has wet stains on it from the mixture, but that has happened every time and eventually dries out, but I want to know if I should wait until those stains dry or can I go ahead and try the process again immediately after?
Also, I was thinking of using the pure acetone, but with the talc powder instead this time; which do you recommend is the better one, talc powder or use paper towels again?
I appreciate your response. I just want to see the stains gone for good already.
Thank you,
Ruth
When we went on vacation I set a plant on a glass saucer on my black granite countertop by Eco Constina. When we came home, I noticed a white spot the size of the saucer. How can I get rid of it?
Barb,
It sounds like that is a hard water stain. Use white vinegar. Follow the stain removal process, using the vinegar as the cleaning solution. It will probably be best for you to use a paper towel instead of a powder, as most powders are alkaline and will react with the vinegar.
Hi, I just bought a house that has 18-year-old granite countertops. They appear to be in good condition, but in a certain light, you can see what appear to be scratches, smudges, or dried water spots all over the counter. What is this and how do you get rid of it? Thank you!
Sprayed a cleaner with acid in it (Kaboom). Now I have a spot which stained; a big spot. Do I need a professional to fix it?
Bonnie,
Acid stains in granite do usually need to be refinished by a professional. You can try cleaning the area with a granite polish, which may work if the stain is light, or you can try using a baking soda and water paste like a poultice.
Source: HowToCleanStuff.net – How to Restore Stainless Steel and Granite Damaged by Cillit Bang
Source: HowToCleanStuff.net – How to Remove Acid Stains from Marble
I was cleaning some candle holders with Tarnx and some spilled and splashed all over my granite counters. Can the stains be taken out? Please tell me yes. Thank you.
When using acetone, because it evaporates so quickly and dissolves most plastics, I cover it with aluminum foil and tape down the edges, a couple inches away from the acetone, with mylar shipping tape. Make sure all plastic and painted surfaces are covered with the foil to protect them. You must keep the acetone in a metal container.
It’s not pleasant to use, but it works very well, with repetition until clean.
Just had my granite installed a year ago…and have noticed rust staining around my sink. I bought the Iron Out, but wanted to be sure I understand what liquid to mix with it. (I did do a small area this morning mixing with just plan water.) I want to resolve this issue, but want to not cause anymore damage.
Diana,
In your case (using powdered Iron Out), the powder is both the chemical and the absorbent. So, just mixing it with water to get it into a paste-form should suffice. Use distilled water to prevent any stains from the water soaking into the stone.
There is a ring stain on the granite worktop which may of been caused by bleach. Any ideas on how to remove it please?
This process worked great, thank you! I had some grease stains on granite, and had tried an expensive Dupont product, which only had the slightest effect. Decided to try this (MUCH CHEAPER!) and it worked great with only 1 application. Fantastic; now I’ll tackle the remaining spots. Much appreciated.
Hi. I left a brown candle burning on my white granite counter-top, and it has left a yellow/brown ring on the top. Any ideas on how to remove the stain? Your answers would be much appreciated!
Sita,
Stains from candle wax are dye stains. Use the method for inorganic stains. Good luck!
I have a one-year old sealed black granite kitchen counter. I’ve noticed that lately a growing area of darkening dots. I would appreciate any suggestion to remove these before I re-seal the area. Thank you!
I have Kashmir Pearl granite countertops.
I glued my own granite and used an accelerant with the glue.
Where the seems meet, there is a greenish discoloration…how can I get rid of the discoloration?
THANK YOU!!! I used this method on a Crayola marker stain and it worked like magic – not a trace of it left!! (I used a paper towel & rubbing alcohol for my “poultice”.) Thank you so much for sharing this!
Hi, I have a small tumeric/oil round stain in my African tobacco granite top – please advise how to remove it.
Saira,
Start by treating it as an oil stain first. The tumeric is in the oil so hopefully by removing the oil you will remove that as well. If there is still a tumeric stain that remains, try the method for organic stains. If that doesn’t work, you can try the method for inorganic stains as the color of tumeric can act like a dye. Good luck!
My crock pot was cooking a Boston butt and the hot BBQ-colored grease spilled on my pretty white grayish granite. This happened three years ago. I immediately tried the baking soda, but over time I left it alone. Can I use a 32% hydrogen peroxide with earth poultice to try to remove an old settled-in stain? I don’t have a 12%. I know you should use 1/2 cup peroxide to 1 cup of earth powder. Will the strong percentage be ok to use? Thank you!
Debbie,
A stronger peroxide can be diluted down to make it weaker. Mixing the 32% peroxide with an equal amount of water should give you about a 16% peroxide, so use a litle more than an equal amount of water to try to reach that 12%. Then, be sure to test a small hidden area of the granite first to be sure the poultice is safe. Good luck!
I have black granite countertops and my wife left the toilet bowl wand on the counter after using it. Now there is a large white stain that won’t come out. Please help. What category does this fall under?
Bryan,
It depends on what type of toilet bowl cleaner you were using, bleach or non-bleach. Most (possibly all) non-bleach toilet bowl cleaners are extremely acidic, which would make the stains acid stains and therefore not actually stains but rather damage caused by the acid eating away the sealant if there is one and/or the the stone itself. To repair damage, the counter will need to be refinished, but that’s easier than it sounds. Use the guide How to Remove Vinegar Stains from Granite Countertops.
If your toilet bowl cleaner contained bleach, the stains are also damage, not actually stains. For bleach stains, first clean the area with plain water thoroughly to remove the bleach residue. Then, there are three ways the bleach could have stained the granite:
1) stains can be damage to the sealant only, as with acid stains
2) they could be damage to the stone the same way that bleach damages clothes: the removal of color.
3) they can be dye stains from the dyes in the bleach (usually a light yellow color).
Examine the stain to determine which type you have. If it’s (1), try using the method in the guide above for acid stains. If it’s (2), you can try using a method that worked for another commenter on this guide: remove the sealant from the area, then apply a color enhancer to the whitened areas. Here is the comment by Jim about that. If it’s 3) use a poultice with either hydrogen peroxide or isopropyl alcohol. Good luck!
Source: Stone World – Fading Issues with Black Granite
I have a dark stain on my year old granite bathroom vanity countertop where the soap bottle sat…same on the granite shelf in the shower where the shampoo bottle sat. It’s not soap stains, rather the granite darkened where it was covered by bottles. How do I remove these stains before I apply a coat of sealant?
Neta,
This is the guide you need: How to Restore Granite Countertop Color. Good luck!
I have a stain from beef blood on light grey granite. I have done the 20 volume peroxide and flour, covered with plastic, but didn’t let it dry hard; I removed after 24 hours. I did it twice.
Jerry,
Sometimes with stains it’s just a matter of try, try again. The peroxide you’re using is a lower volume than recommended, so that could be it. You can also try using a different powder material. Good luck!