How do I remove stains from granite countertop?

Hi Patty,

You'll need to figure out if these are stains or damage to your granite. Click on the link below to see if you can determine which is true. Wishing you the best.

http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-remove-stains-from-granite-countertops/

I found this site, http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-remove-stains-from-granite-countertops/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYJSusCZoLg

Buy a good granite cleaner from a granite yard of Floor and Decor. Then seal the granite once a year.

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.

alcohol works well

Try Barkeepers friend.

Baking soda and water, make a thick paste, you can cover it with plastic wrap to prevent drying out. Wipe off and rinse with water, dry and then seal your countertop.

It could be the circles you see are etching, when something acidic comes in contact with the stone. Without knowing exactly what the rings are, it’s hard to advise but you could try things you see online or bring a pro by.

Hi Patty! You can make a paste of baking soda and water. With a soft sponge, apply the baking soda paste on the stain and work it into the stone. With a soft cloth, scrub the counter gently and rinse thoroughly. Repeat as needed. Hope this helps!