How to Remove Stains from Granite Worktops

Granite Worktops Stain Removal

Thanks to its luxurious appearance and premium feel, granite is a popular natural stone used to make attractive and long-lasting kitchen countertops. However, as granite is porous, it’s susceptible to stains and discolouration through prolonged exposure to chemicals, oils, food and drink spills, and even water. If you want your counters to retain their impressive looks for as long as possible, you might want to find out how to remove stains from granite worktops using tried-and-tested home remedies.

You can minimise the risk of stains by making sure your granite worktops are correctly sealed, preventing moisture and chemicals from seeping into the pores. Still, over time, the sealant will start to lose its effectiveness, and it may not be enough to prevent some of the most abrasive chemicals from penetrating the pores of your worktops.

Fortunately, stains in granite can usually be removed entirely, leaving no lasting damage to your worktops. In this article, we reveal how to remove stains from granite countertops caused by water, wine, food, oil, metal, and more.

Is It a Stain or an Etch?

Before attempting to restore your granite worktops to their former glory, you need to determine whether you’re dealing with a stain or an etch.

Stains are usually the cause of discolouration and smudges on worktops – which is a good thing. Stains arise when materials from chemicals and spills are absorbed into the pores of your granite kitchen worktops. Such stains don’t cause any damage to the stone itself and disappear completely once the staining agent is removed.

Etches, on the other hand, are slightly trickier to deal with. Etches are caused by changes to the chemical composition of the granite itself. Consequently, removing the cause of the problem won’t repair the damage from your granite’s good looks. If the stone itself has been damaged, you’ll probably require professional assistance to return your worktops to their original appearance.

Once you’ve determined the problem – assuming it’s a stain rather than an etch – you need to use the correct cleaning solution to address the specific cause.

Required Materials

You can remove just about any stain from granite worktops using simple household items. To follow the instructions in this article, you’ll need these materials:

• Natural dish soap
• Baking soda
• Microfibre cloths
• Cornstarch
• Water
• Bowl

You might also need hydrogen peroxide for stubborn stains such as wine spills that have been left overnight.

Food and Drink Stains

Food and drink spills can seep into the pores of your granite worktops and cause discolouration. Some of the most common culprits include tea and coffee, gravy, sauces and soda. Provided you tend to the stain as soon as the spill occurs, you can remove it by following these steps:

1. Mix warm water with a few drops of dish soap.
2. Use your soapy solution to dampen a microfibre cloth.
3. Gently wipe the stain with the cloth.
4. Remove any soap residue by rinsing with water.
5. Dry the affected area with a clean and dry microfibre cloth.

If the stain persists, try cleaning the area with a solution of 60% water and 40% hydrogen peroxide.

Water Stains

Your granite worktops may appear discoloured if water seeps into the pores. In most cases, your worktops will return to their original appearance when the water evaporates. However, calcium deposits in hard or heavy water can cause more stubborn stains, which you can remove by following the same procedure as removing food stains.

Oil Stains

To remove oil stains from granite worktops, you’ll need a simple solution of warm water with dish soap – just be careful to blot rather than wipe:

1. First, blot the stain with a dry microfibre cloth to absorb as much oil as possible.
2. Mix warm water with a couple of drops of dish soap.
3. Use a microfibre cloth soaked in your soapy solution to clean the stained area, blotting instead of wiping where possible to prevent scratching and etching.
4. Remove any soap residue with water.
5. Dry the affected area with a clean and dry microfibre cloth.

If that doesn’t work, you can make a thick cornstarch and water paste and apply it to the stain. Leave the paste to rest overnight before wiping it up with a microfibre cloth and rinsing the area with soapy water.

Wine Stains

Stains from wine glass rims and spills are a common occurrence in many kitchens, and these stains can be slightly more challenging to remove than other food and drink stains. Not to worry – the following procedure should eliminate just about any wine spill from granite:

1. Use a dry microfibre cloth to absorb as much of the wine as possible.
2. Dampen a clean microfibre cloth in a solution of soapy water and gently blot the affected area.
3. Remove any soap residue by rinsing with water before drying the affected area with a dry microfibre cloth.
4. If the stain persists, create a paste by mixing a tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide with two tablespoons of baking soda.
5. Cover the stain with the paste, seal it with a plastic wrap, and let it rest for around a day.
6. Use a dry microfibre cloth to remove the paste, rinse with water, then dry with a dry cloth.

Stubborn Stains

If the techniques detailed above don’t work, you might be able to remove the stain using a baking soda remedy:

1. Make a paste by mixing water with baking soda. The paste should appear ‘puffy’.
2. Spread the paste evenly over the stain. Be generous.
3. Leave the paste to rest overnight.
4. Remove any residue by rinsing with water.
5. Wipe the area with a clean and dry microfibre cloth.

How NOT to Remove Stains from Granite Worktops

Using vinegar, lemon juice or strong bleach to treat stains on granite worktops is a big no-no. Those chemicals are highly acidic and can cause permanent damage to the composition of your worktops.

Still Struggling to Remove Stains from Granite Worktops?

Homemade solutions that contain water, dish soap and potentially baking soda, cornstarch and hydrogen peroxide can remove most types of stains from granite worktops. However, the most stubborn stains – such as those caused by mould, mildew and rust – may require more invasive action. Fortunately, our professionals at Paramount Stone Specialists make granite worktop repair and replacement straightforward, regardless of the severity of the problem.

Paramount provides free consultations, so call us on 01482 585600 or email our team at info@paramountstone.co.uk.