Granite countertops are some of the most beautiful additions that you can add to your home. This is just one of their many benefits!
They shine in more ways than one and create a striking appearance. For a modern and elegant look, you can’t go wrong with granite.
Throughout daily life, your counters will typically go through regular wear and tear. Spills and messes are likely to happen now and then.
Usually, a quick wipe down with a cloth will be enough to keep your granite counters looking their best. But sometimes, stains can occur if something is spilled and not cleaned up fast enough.
When this happens, don’t fear! Removing stains from granite is easier than you think.
Do you want to learn more about how to save your granite from pesky stains? If so, keep reading and we’ll tell you how to do it.
How and Why Does Granite Stain?
Have you ever heard of porous material? Granite falls into this category.
This means that it can easily absorb many different types of liquids that can lead to stains. One of the best ways to prevent this is to have your granite sealed.
Sealing is very important for the health of your countertops. Unsealed granite stains are much easier as there’s nothing there to protect it.
Doing daily care such as wiping down the granite surfaces and cleaning up will always help to keep your counters looking their best. But if something does happen to leave a stain behind on your natural stone, there are ways to make it look as good as new.
Are You Dealing With a Stain?
Before you can remove the stain, you need to determine if it truly is a stain or if you’re dealing with some damage.
When it comes to granite, stains and damages can appear very similar. While stains can be easily removed, damages can be a little more difficult to deal with.
Stains cause discoloration in the granite. Through the cleaning that we will describe, you’ll find out how to remove this stain entirely.
Damage is usually surface level and it can also be caused by corrosion. If you’re dealing with damage, you’ll want to be sure that you contact a professional to fix it. We’re always happy to help you by answering any of your questions and providing repairs.
What’s That Spill?
You’ve determined that you are dealing with a spill, but now you need to determine the cause.
Not all stains can be treated the same when it comes to your granite countertops. The only common factor while treating the area is that you will need to prepare a poultice.
You may have heard of a poultice for treating the body, but it can be just as effective to clean granite. To find out how to make it, you first need to know what supplies you’ll need.
Hydrogen Peroxide
When removing stains from your granite countertops, Hydrogen Peroxide can work for many types of stains. If you’re dealing with any type of food, drink, or dirt stain, this can help you to remove it.
Some other stains that this works for include:
- Gravy
- Fruit
- Coffee
- Dyes
- Soft Drinks
It’s important to get the right concentrate of Hydrogen Peroxide. Be sure that you’re using between 30 and 40 percent Hydrogen Peroxide. This will be the most effective way to treat any of the types of stains mentioned above.
Food and drink stains are one of the most common types of stains for you to deal with on your granite countertops. This is why it’s handy to keep some Hydrogen Peroxide nearby, just in case.
Pure Acetone
Acetone can help to remove some of the pesky stains that can affect your granite. You should keep in mind that you need to take extra care when using it.
While you may have it in your home already, you should never use nail polish remover on your natural stone. We can recommend a granite cleaner that will help to remove the stain.
Acetone works great for oil-based spills which can be caused by cooking oils or even butter. After using acetone on your counters, be sure to reseal the granite. This will give it back some of its protection against future spills.
Water Stains
Another one of the most common types of stains you’ll run into is a water stain.
Usually, these stains are nothing to worry about. Once the water evaporates, the stain should disappear as well.
The problem occurs when one of two things happens. You may have frequent water stains, or you have hard water that is leaving more permanent stains.
If you notice that your granite is being stained by water quite often, it may be time to seal it. As part of regular maintenance, you should reseal your granite every year.
If hard water is the culprit, then it can be dealt with as well. To remove this type of stain, add Hydrogen Peroxide as your chemical to your poultice.
Bleach
When used carefully, bleach can be an effective stain remover on granite countertops. However, it should only be used if you know what you’re doing.
In the case of mold or mildew growing on your countertops, using laundry bleach mixed with water can be effective in removing it. It will also be important to reseal the countertops after using this treatment.
However, if you’re dealing with this type of problem, it’s best that you call us. We can give you much better direction and answer any questions that you may have about this issue.
How to Remove Stains from Granite Countertops
Now that you understand what you can and can’t use on your granite countertops, it’s time to learn how to remove the stains.
The first step is to mix all your ingredients. Grab the chemicals that are right for the type of stain that you’re removing.
You’ll also need to get your choice of base. Most go with something that they have around the home such as paper towels or flour.
Mix everything until it becomes thick. It should feel like a type of spread such as peanut butter.
Once you’ve reached the desired consistency, this is one of the most important steps. Before going ahead and applying it all over the stain, you should always do a small test.
If you’ve tested it and all looks good, you can go ahead and apply the poultice to the entirety of the stain. You should be prepared to leave the poultice to sit on the stain for 24 hours.
You should also cover up the poultice with plastic wrap to protect it for the duration of the treatment.
After this time, you can remove the poultice and wipe the counter off. The stain should either be totally removed or lighter than it was before.
Assess the Results
The results will depend on the severity of the stain. If it’s a lighter or smaller stain, one poultice treatment should do the trick. For deeper and darker stains, you might require multiple poultice treatments.
After the first poultice treatment, be sure to assess the stain to see if it has gotten any lighter. If it has, you can continue with more of the same poultice treatments until the stain is gone.
If you don’t see a difference after the first treatment, it may be the wrong type of chemical for the stain. Be sure that you don’t repeat the process with the same chemical. If it’s not effective for the stain the first time, it most likely won’t work the second time either.
When you’re unsure of anything during this process, feel free to contact us. Our expert team can help direct you to a solution to the problem.
How to Prevent Stains on Your Granite Countertops
Once you’ve removed a stain from your granite countertops, there are other steps you can take to prevent it in the future.
Keeping your counters as clean and dry as you can is crucial to preventing stains. When something is spilled on your countertop, take action right away. Wipe it up with a damp, soft cloth and dry up the surface after.
This will help to absorb the spill with the rag before the countertop does.
As mentioned earlier, regular sealing of granite countertops gives extra protection from stains. When carrying out maintenance, it’s good practice to make sealing part of it.
You can do it as often as every couple of months or as little as once a year. But the more you do it, the better the protection will be.
Add Some Beauty to Your Kitchen With Granite Countertops
The beauty of granite countertops is unmatched. But to keep your counters looking their best, it’s important to take the best care of them.
If you’re looking for granite countertops, we can help you find them at Rock Solid Creations. Even after the installation, we’re happy to help you by answering any questions you may have. We’re proud to be your go-to resource for everything about granite countertops.
Are you looking to have granite countertops installed in your home? If so, contact us today!
Â