Susan asked: How can I fix granite counter that has darkened? I just removed a fish tank, and the light granite counter is perfect. The problem is that the rest of the countertop has darkened. How can I lighten the countertop to match the original color that was under the fish tank? Thank you!
If 
you move a long-standing object from your granite countertop and discover a difference in color, it is usually caused by the countertop darkening over time due to light exposure. There are two ways to approach this problem. Since it is usually only the areas that were under a countertop appliance for a long time that have remained light, the easiest method is to darken those areas to match the rest of the now darker counter. However, if you prefer the idea of lightening the granite back to its original color, there is a method below for that as well.
If you have an actual stain, not caused by light exposure but rather by something like food or soap that was on the counter, then use the guide How to Remove Stains from Granite Countertops instead.
Darkening the Granite
You Will Need:
- Baby Oil
- Stone Color Enhancer
- Clean white rags
Steps to Fix the Discoloration:
- Apply a small amount of baby oil to a clean white rag.
- Rub it over the lighter spot (or a portion thereof). If your countertops are not properly sealed, the oil may stain.
- If the oil darkens the counter and you like the look, use Stone Color Enhancer to make it permanent.
- First, make sure the area is clean and free from debris or residue.
- Apply Stone Color Enhancer with a clean rag.
- Wait no more than 15 minutes.
- Wipe away excess Stone Color Enhancer.
Lightening the Granite
You Will Need:
- Oven cleaner (sodium hydroxide-based), such as Easy Off
- A cloth
- Soap
- Water
Steps to Fix the Discoloration:
- Spray a small amount of oven cleaner onto a cloth. Do not spray the oven cleaner directly onto the stone.
- Wipe the oven cleaner onto the granite in a small hidden area and let it sit for a minute to test the results.
- If the test does not go well, use the method above for Darkening the Granite instead.
- If the test does go well, repeat the process for the rest of the countertop, working in small sections.
- Clean off the oven cleaner with soap and water after you have finished one small section. This will prevent the oven cleaner from sitting on the stone for too long and continuing to lighten it beyond what you want.
- When you have finished lightening the countertop, inspect it carefully. You may need to re-seal it.
Additional Tips and Advice
- The baby oil will evaporate over time. This usually happens in a few hours or up to two days.
- If you added too much Stone Color Enhancer, remove the excess with mineral spirits.
- Apply Stone Color Enhancer BEFORE you apply sealer. If desired, wait at least 24 hours before sealing.
- As an alternative to the steps above for Darkening the Granite, you could cover the granite with a dark bed sheet, cut out a hole to match the lighter area on the counter and shine a desk lamp with a UV light bulb onto the area. You will need to do this every night until the area has sufficiently darkened to match, which could take a month or more.
There is a light spot, as big as my fist, on my brown speckled granite countertops. I don’t know what could have gotten on it; the maid cleaned yesterday and I just wondered if she could’ve mixed up the cleaner, as all I use is the cleaner for granite. Could food or alcohol do it?
Jan,
Yes, if the light spot appeared overnight it is a stain and it could have been caused by any number of things. If it is a small spot, it sounds like it was something set on the counter, like a cleaner bottle that had residue on the bottom or a beverage spill, rather than the incorrect use of a cleaner (which would have stained a greater area). Use the methods in the guide How to Remove Stains from Granite Countertops to remove it. However, if you are unable to remove the stain, you can use the method above for Darkening the Granite to restore the area.
How can I remove light stains from my black vanity granite countertop please?
Ila,
This is the article you need: How to Remove Stains from Granite Countertops. Good luck!
I didn’t notice this ’til recently, but my coffee maker has left quite a coffee stain where it sits and IDK how long it’s been there for. I tried the baking soda and water trick, but that has not fixed it yet. Anything else I could try? The spot is quite dark of coffee residue and I have a lighter countertop.
Mike,
This is the guide you need: How to Remove Stains from Granite Countertops. Use the first method (for organic stains) – a hydrogen peroxide poultice. Good luck!
My granite (Galaxy, white, 2 months old) has turned yellow over the entire surface except areas that don’t get sunlight. How do I repair this?
Gina,
Since your stone is so new, the best thing to do would be concact the place where you bought it to see what they recommend for your specific stone. It may be that the sealer on the stone has yellowed, not the stone itself, and it needs to be removed and a different sealer needs to be applied. However, since your stone is white, you always have the option of bleaching it as well. To do so, mix chlorine bleach in water to the amount recommended on the label of your bleach product, then wipe the liquid over the stone until the stone is white again. Keep in mind the bleach will remove all color, so you may not want to bleach it if the stone has other hints of color in it. Also, be sure to wear clothes you wouldn’t mind ruining while doing this in case any splashes or spills get on you. Whichever process you choose (removing the finish or bleaching), be sure to test it on a small hidden area first to look for any adverse reaction. Good luck!
A dark stain is growing on sealed granite countertop. I have used every mixture imaginable except oven cleaner. It is gradually lightening in a spotty manner. There is no reason for it to be there; no heat left on top from a pan; no water nor oil left on it. It started out much smaller and is now spreading to 30″x18″. I would like to try and make it look like it is natural. What do you advise? Greatly appreciate any ideas. Granite company has tried about ten times to use poultice and cover it with Seran and tape for weeks at a time with no discernable results.