How To Get Stains Out Of Your Granite Countertop

Granite is a natural stone that’s naturally porous. Unfortunately, that means it can be prone to staining. But don’t fret! We have gotten bad stains on our granite counters and lived to tell the tale. In fact, getting a stain out of granite isn’t as hard or nerve-racking as you might expect.

For example, we picked up a blueberry container to find a BRIGHT pink stain on our BRAND NEW granite counters. It was VERY distressing. If you’re Googling this, you’re probably feeling the same about your stain. Take a breath and let’s get started.

Materials Needed

Getting stains out of your granite countertops only requires a few regular household items. So don’t rush out to the store and buy a lot of specialty cleaners or cleansers. Here’s what you may need:

Soft cloth or paper towel
Liquid bleach
Baking soda
Hydrogen peroxide
Plastic wrap or plastic bag
Dish soap or multi-surface cleaner

We also recommend having gloves to wear while handling bleach.

How To Get Stains Out Of Granite

For stubborn stains from food, wine, or oil, your steps for getting them out will be largely the same:

Use a towel or cloth to blot up what you can from the surface
Apply one of the cleaning solutions below
Cover with plastic overnight (you may want to tape down the edges)
Clean up the area and rinse

Plastic bag soaking on granite counter stain

Yes, it requires a little bit of patience. But luckily takes zero scrubbing or elbow grease.

Using Bleach To Remove Granite Stains

We found a huge stain under a blueberry container that had sat out for four days (!!!) on our new granite counters. Oops! This obviously wasn’t some surface stain we could just wipe away. In fact, we were pretty sure it was going to be 100% permanent. But we referred to the granite care card that had come with our countertops and they recommended using liquid bleach. Here’s what we did:

Poured a small amount of liquid bleach directly onto the stained area
Covered with a plastic freezer bag (we were out of plastic wrap)
Watched the stain disappear!
Resealed the area

Clean granite area where stain had once been

Was it scary to put bleach onto our counters? Yes, a little bit. Did it work? TOTALLY. In fact, our dark stain had disappeared in less than 2 hours, meaning we didn’t even need to let it soak overnight.

Keep in mind that bleach should only be used at full strength on counters when removing stains. If you’re using it for regular cleaning, always dilute it to 1/4 or 1/2 strength. It should only be used to clean properly sealed countertops. And always remember to wear gloves.

You can also try this method with hydrogen peroxide or acetone (but NOT nail polish remover – it has other chemicals in it that can harm your counter). With all of these options, it’s best to test in an inconspicuous spot first or use a diluted solution first. Since they can degrade the sealant on your granite, it’s safest to reseal these areas afterwards.

Can I use vinegar on granite?

Vinegar is NOT recommended for granite countertops. Acidic liquids like vinegar, lemon juice, and ammonia can etch granite. This is a chemical reaction that degrades the minerals in the stone, causing changes in color and texture to your countertops.

Using Baking Soda To Remove Granite Stains

An alternate method to liquid bleach is using a baking soda paste, also called a “poultice”. The steps are the same, but you’ll first mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda with 1 tablespoon of water or hydrogen peroxide. Water works best for oil-based stains, while hydrogen peroxide is best for water-based stains.

As with the bleach, apply your baking soda paste to the stain and cover tightly with plastic. The plastic keeps your paste from drying out while it soaks up the stain. Let this sit for several hours (or even a few days, if needed). Once the stain has been soaked up by the baking soda, clean the area thoroughly with water, soap, or multi-surface cleaner.

Removing Water Stains from Granite Counters

Believe it or not, water can stain a porous stone like granite – especially around faucets and sinks that regularly have standing water. These stains can darken your granite or appear as scaly build-up, especially if you have hard water. Here are several techniques to try, each getting a bit more aggressive than the last:

Thoroughly dry the area to ensure there is no active standing water
Scrub the area with mild soap and microfiber cloth
Scrub the area with a baking soda and hydrogen peroxide poultice, using a stiff bristled brush or old toothbrush
Apply a baking soda poultice and cover with plastic overnight
Carefully use a razor to scrap off any limescale build-up (go slow, as not to etch your counter)

Once the area is cleaned to your satisfaction, apply fresh sealer to help prevent water stains from building up again.

Preventing Granite Stains

The best way to deal with granite counter stains is to not get them in the first place. Here’s some easy way to do that:

White Kitchen With Clean Granite Countertops

Wipe up spills immediately

Stay vigilant and don’t let food, oils, butter, drinks, soap, and even water sit on your granite counters. Make sure to wipe down counters after use – like making dinner – to catch any staining materials you may have missed.

Seal counters regularly

Granite countertops should be sealed every 12-18 months. Lighter colors tends to be more porous and may need more frequent sealing. You can also use a 2-and-1 cleaner and sealer during your regular cleanups to help protect high-use areas.

Don’t leave wet dishes out

Wet glasses or dishes can also leave water ring stains on your granite, especially if you have hard water. So make sure if you are leaving any dishes out to dry on your counters that you are placing them on a towel or drying rack first.

Reduce staining opportunities

While some activities are impossible to do elsewhere – meal prep, cleaning dishes, etc – consider moving other “risky” activities away from your granite. For example, pour wine elsewhere or don’t use permanent marker near your granite. Also make sure foods (like our blueberries) are always stored elsewhere or in non-porous containers. You can also place wooden cutting boards under work areas to reduce food, oil, or butter contact with your granite.

Honestly, the experience of getting our blueberry stain out made me love us counter even more. The fact that a big hideous berry stain could sit there for days and completely disappear in mere hours makes me a lot less nervous about the occasion oil or wine spill.

The moral of the story: if you’re considering granite but are nervous about the stain-factor, it’s safe to say that it’s a lot more durable than ya think.

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