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.
Water stains are one of the most common sources of stains on granite countertops, and they generally occur in two forms. The first -- and easiest to clean -- is a simple water stain that forms around the bottom of a glass or other container that sits on the countertop for too long or water droplets that do not evaporate quickly. The second type of water stain is caused by hard water (that is, water with a high mineral content) that sits on the counter, dries and leaves a deposit, often resulting in bothersome circles that build up around the faucets.
Hi there, you can make a paste of baking soda and water, or talc with a diluted solution of ammonia, bleach or hydrogen peroxide and rub that onto the stain. Leave it for a few minutes and wipe off with a clean rag.
If all else fails, and this you'll need to test in an unseen area, get a diamond sanding block in a higher grit like 600 or 800. I used one on a concrete counter and was able to sand out the etch. You can see how I did it here: https://www.flippingtheflip.com/2020/07/variety-pack.html
Start out with a less invasive cleaner, a solution of mild soap and water, gently scrub with a microfiber cloth or a soft brush using a light touch. Then rinse with clear water and dry off. From there if no results with that, make a paste of baking soda and water, rub in gently-you want to avoid anything acidic-that will damage your granite. Let that hang out for a few minutes and clean off. Evaluate the results and repeat until you no longer see the spots.
To remove water spots, wash the stain with a gentle detergent and water; use a soft bristled brush to scrub lightly. Rinse with clean water and dry. For slightly more stubborn stains, make a paste of baking soda and water, or talc with a diluted solution of ammonia, bleach or hydrogen peroxide.
Removing water stains from granite typically involves the use of a poultice. This is a solution that can be created by a mixture of baking soda and 3 percent hydrogen peroxide. Mix these ingredients in a bowl until it forms a thick paste. Once this happens, apply the solution to the stain.
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Water will not leave marks .. it must be something else ..Water dries out . Granite is not porous and Can you provide pictures ?
it is really not .. not like marble ...or limestone
Granite is porous
https://corridorkitchens.com/porous-quartz-granite-marble-limestone/
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.
You might have to reseal. Could be marks from acidic cleaner
Water stains are one of the most common sources of stains on granite countertops, and they generally occur in two forms. The first -- and easiest to clean -- is a simple water stain that forms around the bottom of a glass or other container that sits on the countertop for too long or water droplets that do not evaporate quickly. The second type of water stain is caused by hard water (that is, water with a high mineral content) that sits on the counter, dries and leaves a deposit, often resulting in bothersome circles that build up around the faucets.
https://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/household-hints-tips/cleaning-organizing/how-to-remove-water-stains-from-granite.htm
Hi there, you can make a paste of baking soda and water, or talc with a diluted solution of ammonia, bleach or hydrogen peroxide and rub that onto the stain. Leave it for a few minutes and wipe off with a clean rag.
Hello,
Try using Bar Keeper Friend. Best wishes
Here's a post that might help - https://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/household-hints-tips/cleaning-organizing/how-to-remove-water-stains-from-granite1.htm#:~:text=To%20remove%20water%20spots%2C%20wash,ammonia%2C%20bleach%20or%20hydrogen%20peroxide.
Try a paste of baking soda and water.
If all else fails, and this you'll need to test in an unseen area, get a diamond sanding block in a higher grit like 600 or 800. I used one on a concrete counter and was able to sand out the etch. You can see how I did it here: https://www.flippingtheflip.com/2020/07/variety-pack.html
This has some advice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4dLCFKuFDY
There is good information here:
https://marble.com/articles/remove-water-stains-from-granite
Start out with a less invasive cleaner, a solution of mild soap and water, gently scrub with a microfiber cloth or a soft brush using a light touch. Then rinse with clear water and dry off. From there if no results with that, make a paste of baking soda and water, rub in gently-you want to avoid anything acidic-that will damage your granite. Let that hang out for a few minutes and clean off. Evaluate the results and repeat until you no longer see the spots.
To remove water spots, wash the stain with a gentle detergent and water; use a soft bristled brush to scrub lightly. Rinse with clean water and dry. For slightly more stubborn stains, make a paste of baking soda and water, or talc with a diluted solution of ammonia, bleach or hydrogen peroxide.
WD 40 will remove water marks. Spray it on, leave it alone for about 10 minutes then wipe away.
Toothpaste
Removing water stains from granite typically involves the use of a poultice. This is a solution that can be created by a mixture of baking soda and 3 percent hydrogen peroxide. Mix these ingredients in a bowl until it forms a thick paste. Once this happens, apply the solution to the stain.
Hi MSPS: check this site:
https://www.granitegold.com/reasons-for-cloudy-stone-countertop/
On this one, just scroll past the stuff about the iron :)
https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/how-to-clean-steam-irons-and-granite-countertops-cheap-and-easy-2/
Good luck