How do I revive a dull spot on a granite countertop?

Theresa
by Theresa

How do I bring back the shine on a granite countertop that looks like it was caused by a very hot pot? I’ve tried the market sellers that promise shine but nothing seems to help in that area. Thanks! Theresa

  6 answers
  • Bijous Bijous on Sep 18, 2018

    Hi. Use car paste wax and a buffer. Otherwise, have a stone countertop company do it. Good luck.

  • William William on Sep 18, 2018

    Marble, granite, and stone do NOT like having acidic (ie: citrus-based) cleaners used on them. Citrus or vinegar will actually cause “etching” on granite countertops. Not a good thing. Granite countertops also don’t like it when you use something like Windex on them because it strips the “seal” off of the stone.


    If you are trying to remove an old stain, create a dense paste of more baking soda and less water. Then place the paste over the stain, allowing it to function for a few minutes. After that wipe off the baking soda paste. If it is needed you can repeat the procedure until the stain vanishes.


    Apparently there are some very nice countertop/granite cleaners out there that do a great job…but $7.00 for a 12-ounce bottle? YOU can do better than that! :-)


    After researching several homemade options out there…I discovered they all had the same basic ingredients…just in varying amounts. Some had a LOT of alcohol in them…some very little. I think the following “recipe” has a good balance of the ingredients, based on the information I read.


    Homemade Granite Cleaner, 1/4 cup of rubbing alcohol (or cheap vodka), 3 drops of Dawn or other dish soap (Castile soap would also be a good alternative if you prefer), Water, 5-10 drops essential oil (optional – to help mask the alcohol smell).


    Put the rubbing alcohol or vodka into a 16 oz spray bottle. Add the dish soap, essential oil and fill up the rest of the bottle with water.


    Now give it a few shakes….THEN give it a try! It should give your countertops a nice, clean shine. Works on appliances too! All at a FRACTION of the price of the store-bought stuff.


  • Ana Bacallao Ana Bacallao on Sep 18, 2018

    I use a combination of products which include a cleaner, a polisher and sealer and use an orbital sander to buff it.

  • Theresa Theresa on Sep 18, 2018

    Thank you everyone for these great tips. I’ll give “William ‘s” homemade cleaner a try and will post the results. Thanks again!

  • Fauxreal Fauxreal on Sep 20, 2018

    Use a fabric stain remover such as RESOLVE, it will buff up and shine the counters like nothing you've ever seen before!

    • Theresa Theresa on Sep 20, 2018

      Wow! That’s a new one. Sounds so simple. I’ll try your idea first and if it doesn’t work I’ll hung you down...JUST KIDDING!!! (A little morning humor)

      Thanks again. I’ll post an update.

  • Joy30150932 Joy30150932 on Sep 20, 2018

    Try the granite wipes made by Weiman.