How To Remove Stains From Granite

Several readers have asked me how to remove stains from granite countertops. Granite and other natural stone countertops are natural products that are very porous. Porous stone can easily absorb materials that can cause stains. Therefore in order to remove stains you need to understand how stains are created.

All stains are created when the “spilled” material (wine, oil, grease, dirt, etc.) is absorbed into the pores of the stone. So in order to remove the stain you’ll want to absorb the “spilled” material back into another absorbent material.

The basic concept is to create a poltice (paste) and apply it to the countertop and let it sit for a period of time in order to absorb the stain out of the stone. There are as many recipes for an effective poltice as there old wives tales. Here’s one recipe to try:

• 1 cup of bleached flour
• 2 to 3 tablespoons of dishwashing liquid
• enough water to create a paste similar to cake batter

Mix the poltice thoroughly and then apply it directly to the stain. Make sure to apply the mixture 1/4″ to 1/2″ thick. Cover the poltice with plastic wrap and tape it to the countertop to create a seal. Leave the mixture on the stain for 24 hours. Then remove the mixture with a damp cloth and let the countertop dry. The stain should be gone. For really deep stains you may need to repeat the process another time.

Sealing Your Granite Countertop
Once you’ve removed the stains from your granite countertop then it’s time to properly seal them. Granite countertops should be sealed every 6 months to a year. I recommend using StoneTech BulletProof Stone Sealer. For day to day cleaning I recommend using Formula 409 Natural Stone Cleaner.

Do you have a stain remover recipe for granite?
If so leave a comment and let everyone know your secret stain remover recipe.