How To Get Stains Off Granite

Granite can be more delicate than many synthetic countertops and will sometimes require repair. This page will walk you through how to tell the difference between etching and staining, what to do if your granite has a stain and how to enhance the color of your granite.

Identifying Etches and Stains

These are two common issues with granite which are confused with each other. In order to fix either staining or etching you should first identify which problem your granite has.

Etching is a reaction to an acidic or alkaline substances on the surface of the stone. Staining occurs when a substance is absorbed into the pores of the stone. Stains are always darker in appearance than etches.

If you have light etching you'll need to buy polishing powder or if you have deep etching you will need to contact a stone restoration company. For stains, purchase the appropriate Stone Care International Stain Remover and follow the instructions below.

Please note that water may temporarily darken the stone, but it will evaporate. However, if water darkens on the surface then this is the time to re-seal (after removing the entire stain).

Removing Stains from Granite

If granite has a stain it means a substance is absorbed into the pores of granite and will require a poultice, like the ones offered by Stone Care International, to remove it. Poultice are extremely absorbent substances. The poultice enters the pores of the stone and chemically draws the stone into the poultice.

Follow these instructions to remove the stain:

Apply the paste about ¼ inch thick over the stain
Cover the paste with plastic wrap and tape the edges to hold the plastic wrap in place (do not cover the entire area in tape)
Put a few pin-size holes in the plastic wrap to allow air to escape
Allow poultice to dry on the surface until hardened (typically 12-24 hours)
Touch the paste through the plastic wrap to ensure it's completely dry. Push in the middle of the poultice to be sure it's not pulposus, or doughy below the hardened top layer.
Remove tape and plastic wrap
Gently remove the dried paste with a plastic scraper
Clean the area with Stone Care International Granite & Stone Daily Cleaner and a microfiber cloth

Stained Granite

Apply the poultice to the stain

Cover in plastic wrap and poke air holes

After the poultice has dried, scrape away

After the stain is removed

Grease and oil stains respond slowly to any treatments and may require several back-to-back applications. Poultice are water based meaning you need to overwhelm the oil-based stains in order to absorb it out of the stone, which requires several applications.

If the stain is removed:

Clean the area with Stone Care International Cleaner
Allow the stone to dry for at least 12 hours
Conduct a water test in sections of the stone where you used the poultice powder
Seal the cleaned area and any other area without beading water
Test again one day later

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