Granite is a natural stone with an appearance of strength and durability. It’s a beautiful choice for kitchen countertops because it can withstand moisture, frequent cleaning, and high heat without discoloring or cracking. Additionally, granite offers more variety than other natural stones such as marble, limestone, or quartzite. Granite comes in many colors and patterns — from light beige to deep blues with purple veins — so you have plenty of options when choosing the right countertop for your home. Even though granite is a strong and enduring material, it’s not immune to stains from oils, acidic foods, red wine, and other liquids. If you’re interested in installing granite countertops in your kitchen or another space in your home, keep reading for some helpful tips on how to remove stains from granite.
How To Remove Stains From Granite?
Change your cleaning habits
If you want your floor to stay clean, you need to change your cleaning habits a bit. For example, when you clean, don’t use a broom. Instead, use a mop or vacuum cleaner with a soft bristle or non-abrasive attachment. When you mop or vacuum, be careful not to leave too much water behind. When you do, you could cause an excess in humidity, which can increase the chance of staining. Another way to protect your floor from staining is to change the way you do your dishes. If you have a spill on your granite counter, wipe it up as soon as possible. You don’t want a spill to sit for too long, as it could cause a stain when it dries later. Last, but certainly not least, make sure you’re storing things correctly. When you put things on your counter, make sure they’re not leaving a stain. Some things that you might not expect can also cause stains on your counter. Things like ketchup, mustard, and soy sauce can leave a mark on a granite counter.
Use a sealant
In some cases, you can prevent staining from happening in the first place by applying a sealant to your floor. This can be applied by a professional cleaner or you can buy it online or at a store like Lowe’s. Sealants come in varying levels of thickness. The thicker the sealant, the more long-lasting it will be. If you do decide to use a sealant, be sure to apply it correctly. First, the floor needs to be clean, dry, and free of dust and dirt. If it’s not clean, the sealant won’t work properly. Next, you need to follow the instructions on the product you purchase. Different types of sealant require different application methods.
Use a stain-removing product
If you notice a stain on your floor before it’s set in, you can usually remove it with a stain-removing product. First, you want to make sure the product you use is designed to remove stains from granite. If you use the wrong product, you could end up causing more harm than good. When you apply a stain-removing product, make sure you do it correctly. This means following the directions on the product you purchase. A lot of these products come in sprays and liquids. When using a liquid, spray it on a clean cloth and then apply it to the stain. When using a spray, cover the surrounding area and don’t spray it directly on the stain.
Apply an acid wash
If a stain is particularly stubborn, you can apply an acid wash to your floor. This is a more extreme and aggressive way of removing a stain. It’s not something you want to do on a regular basis. In order to apply an acid wash, you need to purchase a strong acid. You want to use a type of acid that’s labeled as a “strong acid.” You then mix the acid with water and apply it to the stain using a spray bottle or mop. After you apply the solution, let it sit on the floor for a few minutes. Next, you want to scrub the solution into the granite with a stiff-bristle brush.
Use a grinder or polisher
If none of the above suggestions work and the stain is very stubborn, you may want to consider removing the flooring entirely and starting fresh. Typically, you will do this with a grinder or a polisher. A grinder is a bit more aggressive than a polisher, but they both do the same thing. They remove the top layer of the stone, which removes the stain entirely. When you grind or polish your floor, you want to make sure you’re doing it correctly. You’ll want to make sure you hire a professional for this job, as it’s not a DIY project. It’s also important to note that grinding or polishing your floor will remove any sealants you previously applied.
How To Clean Granite Soil?
- Before you can remove stains from granite, you’ll need to clean away any dirt. Granite soil is mineral and dirt residue from the natural process of creating stone countertops.
- It accumulates on the surface of the stone, and a quick clean will help you lift it off before you attempt to remove stains. You can clean off the soil with a soft brush.
- You may also wish to wipe down the surface of the stone with a solution of water and mild dish soap.
- If you want to go a step further and remove built-up grime, try a non-abrasive cleaner that is designed to clean stone surfaces.
How To Remove Oil Stains From Granite?
The first step in removing oil stains from granite is to scrape off as much of the excess oil as possible. You can use a spoon to scrape off any drips, and then wipe the area clean with a paper towel. Now you can try the following methods to remove the oil. We recommend testing each method on an inconspicuous area of the stone first.
- Baking soda – This multipurpose cleaner can be used to remove oil stains from granite. Simply combine baking soda with water to form a thick paste and then apply it to the stained area. Allow the paste to sit for a few minutes and then wipe it away, scrubbing the area with a scrub brush if necessary. Alternatively, you can create a diluted solution of baking soda and water and apply it to the stained area with a soft cloth.
- Bleach – This cleanser should only be used on oil stains that have already been scraped off the surface of the stone. Be sure to wear protective gloves and goggles while working with bleach, and make sure you are working in a well-ventilated area. Spray the cleaned oil stain with a bleach solution, and then allow it to sit for a few minutes. Scrub the stained area with a cloth or scrub brush and rinse with water.
- Lemon juice – Simply apply lemon juice to the stained area and allow it to sit for a few minutes. Wipe away the lemon juice with a clean cloth.
- Olive oil – Simply apply a few drops of olive oil to the stained area and allow it to sit for a few minutes. Wipe away the excess oil with a clean cloth. This method may only lift some of the oil from the surface.
How To Remove Paint From Granite?
- Paint is a difficult stain to remove from granite. We recommend trying a few options, such as scraping off as much paint as possible, cleaning the paint that remains with a paint-removing product, or covering the area with epoxy or putty to seal off the paint.
- For best results, you should try a combination of these methods. Scrape off any loose paint and then apply a paint-removing product to the remaining paint.
- You may need to repeat this process a few times with different products.
- Alternatively, you can apply a layer of epoxy or putty to seal off the paint.
Conclusion
When you take care of your stone floor, it can last for years and years. However, it won’t last if you don’t clean it properly and let it get stained by careless spills. Luckily, there are lots of ways to remove stains from granite. From changing your cleaning habits to applying an acid wash, there are many ways to remove stains without ruining your stone floor. If you take care of your stone floor, it can last for years and years. However, it won’t last if you don’t clean it properly and let it get stained by careless spills. Luckily, there are lots of ways to remove stains from granite. From changing your cleaning habits to applying an acid wash, there are many ways to remove stains without ruining your stone floor.
