How To Clean & Remove Stains From Marble & Granite

 10 Comments    Print     Email

Marble and granite counter tops are gorgeous but they are porous and will soak in liquids that can leave stains (even sitting water!). Here are some poultice recipes & diy removers that can help tackle them, I’ve also tucked in a recipe you can use for everyday cleaning.

Granite Countertops In The Kitchen

Many types of liquids and sauces can leave their mark including fruit juices, wine, coffee, tea, water, vinegar, vegetable and olive oils, ketchup, bbq sauce, grease splatters–etc., it’s important to wipe up spills as they happen.

Baking Soda Poultice

• First blot the spot to remove as much of the substance as possible.
• Next, spray the spot with water.
• Cover the spot completely with a paste made from baking soda and water (to the consistency of sour cream). Cover with plastic wrap.
• Leave covered for at least 24 hours, the baking soda will dry and pull up much of the stain.
• After 24 hours, remove the poultice and wash area with mild soap and water. Apply a fresh poultice if needed.

Flour & Liquid Soap Poultice

1 cup unbleached flour
3 TBS liquid dishwashing detergent (no bleach, use a gentle soap like Ivory or Dawn)
Water

• Mix the flour and soap together then add water until you have the consistency of sour cream.
• Cover the spot with the poultice so it’s about 1/4″ inch thick and overlaps it by about 1/4″.
• Cover with plastic wrap for 24 hours.
• Wash off poultice and clean area with soap and water. If spot is still there, reapply poultice.

Rubbing Alcohol Spray

• Pour 1/8 cup of rubbing alcohol into a 16 oz. spray bottle. Add a couple drops of liquid dish detergent then fill the bottle with water. Shake before use. Spray onto stains then wash area clean.

Hydrogen Peroxide Pad

*Careful with this on dark colored stone, it “may” lighten the color a bit. Test a small area first.

• Fold a wad of cotton gauze to approximately the size of your stain, saturate it with hydrogen peroxide and squeeze out excess (you want the wad to be wet but not dripping wet).
• Apply the pad to the problem area then cover it with plastic wrap, tape around all edges of the plastic to seal the wad. Put a saucer or some object on top of the pad to add some weight/pressure to the area.
• Leave this on for 24 hours, check then reapply as needed.

Corn Starch

• Spray spot lightly with distilled water then sprinkle a thick layer of corn starch over the stain. Leave for 24 hours or longer. Wipe up then reapply if needed.
• For grease splatters, sprinkle area immediately with corn starch and allow to sit for about 15 minutes. Wash area clean with mild soap and water, the corn starch should lift the grease effortlessly.

Tips

• Remember to cover your granite & marble tops regularly with a sealant to prevent staining from happening in the first place.
• The quicker you wipe up and blot spills the easier it is to prevent or remove stains.
• Before applying a method of treatment, do a test spot first to make sure the stone’s color or finish won’t be affected. These should be safe to use but better safe than sorry.
• Before applying a treatment, examine the stain closely. If the mark is still there but is lighter or reduced, you know the treatment is working. Keep applying until the spot is completely gone.

General Cleaner Recipe

*First published February 16, 2009 and moved here for better organization

Here’s a recipe for an earth-friendly “green” cleaner suitable for many household surfaces including granite and marble.

Ingredients:

2 cups water
1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
1 tsp pure castile soap (peppermint, etc.)
3/4 cup hydrogen peroxide
20 drops tea tree oil
20 drops lavender or lemongrass essential oil.

Directions:

• Mix all ingredients in a 32-ounce plastic spray bottle.

Can be used to clean surfaces of acrylic, ceramic tile, wood, marble and granite. You’ll find more homemade cleaners here.

Source: Sophie Uliano, author of Gorgeously Green: 8 Simple Steps to an Earth-Friendly Life