How To Remove Ugly Stains On Granite.

You’ve finally installed the granite countertops you’ve always dreamed of, you take great care to avoid anything that will mark or stain your new granite, until you notice the first of many stains. You’ve no idea how they get there, but it would seem some tiny little stain devil comes in the middle of the night and throws stuff all over your countertops. So, how do you remove these mysterious marks?

I love granite as it is a lot more durable to stains than marble, however, it is still a natural stone and as part of your stone care, it is best to seek professional advice if you can not remove a stain yourself. You should also consider getting a professional to seal your work surfaces every year or so for stain prevention.

granite kitchen workspace

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How to get rid of granite stains.

Time needed: 2 days

Please note before trying any of the suggestions below please refer to your care manual first, and do a pre-test.

  1. Try using hydrogen peroxide

    Try to remove the stain using 12% hydrogen peroxide with a couple of drops of ammonia. I used the solution on a soft cotton wool pad to avoid any abrasion.

  2. Use a poultice

    If the hydrogen peroxide doesn’t work, you may like try using a poultice of hydrogen peroxide and either talc, fullers earth or Bon Ami.

  3. What is a poultice?

    In this case, our poultice is a mixture of a cleaning agent or chemical, mixed with an absorbent substance which then forms a thick paste that sits on the stain.

  4. Apply the poultice.

    Apply a thick blob of the poultice to the area containing the stain
    I would suggest about 2cm thick to get the best coverage for stain removal.

  5. Cover the poultice with clingfilm.

    Stick the edges of the plastic wrap down on the counter with decorators tape, masking tape, or some other tape which is not going to leave a sticky residue on your countertops.

  6. Leave the poultice for 24 hours.

    After 24 hours remove the plastic and tape.

  7. Allow the poultice to dry.

    Allow the poultice to dry for another 24 hours.

  8. Remove the poultice.

    Remove the poultice with a clean, dry, paper towel.

  9. Wash the stained area.

    Wash the area with water and dry thoroughly with a clean cloth.

  10. Check the stain.

    You may find that this method has already removed your stain after the first go, however, depending on what the stain is made from you may need to repeat the process.
    Organic stains on granite counter tops, such as berries, beetroot, tea and wine can be quite stubborn and may need a second turn.

Using hydrogen peroxide.

Please note that hydrogen peroxide can have a slight bleach effect, so if you are using it on a dark surface do a test in an inconspicuous area first, or you could try replacing the hydrogen peroxide with acetone.

stains on granite

How to remove water stains on granite.

Black granite is the worst for showing up water stains and it can be very frustrating to keep your kitchen clean and sparkly.
Everyday water stains can be removed by washing down your counters with soapy water and then drying with a glass cloth to a high polish.

How to clean hard water stains off granite countertops.

Knowing how to get hard water stains off granite can be very daunting if you’ve never done it before, but it’s really not that difficult! Hard water stains can be removed by making a mixture of baking soda and water and gently rubbing to remove the stain.

How to remove oil stains from granite

Remove stains using a poultice of baking soda and talc or Bon Ami as discussed above.

How to remove a hot pan stain on granite


Sometimes the scorch mark can be superficial so I would try wiping the mark with hot soapy water and a soft cloth. If the scorch mark does not disappear you need to apply a poultice as discussed above and treat as you would any other organic stain.

There are many granite stain remover products available to purchase but just remember to check with your care manual before attempting to remove stains from granite.

Frequently asked questions 

Can you put bleach on granite stains?

I prefer to not use bleach on granite as some countertops are not well sealed. However, I do know many people who use bleach on their sealed granite worktops and don’t have a problem. It’s better to remember that you should never use neat bleach on any surface and it should always be rinsed after use.

Which stains more, granite or quartz?

Quartz is more susceptible to heat damage than granite, but is less likely to stain.

What causes stains on granite countertops?

Some stains could be organic from food such as berries, teabags and coffee etc.
Some could be from cigarette burns or nail varnish/glue etc.

Does water leave stains on granite?

Water stains will appear on granite if you left something like a glass or cup to drain overnight without drying the granite countertop afterwards.
Water stains may also appear if you live in an area which has a hard water supply.

What causes rust stains on granite?

Determine the source of the rust, it may be coming from a utensil or dishwashing rack or something similar, which then leaches into the surface of the granite to cause a stain.

What causes green stains on granite?

Green stains or blooming, often appear a few weeks after installation and may be caused by the installers glue having a reaction to the granite and can be removed using a granite stain remover.

stains on granite

What’s your favourite method to remove granite countertop stains? Let us know in the comments!

For other ways to keep your house clean read this post

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