The Counters Blog

How To Make Kitchen Countertops Shine Premium Copper Patina FX Poxy Countertop Kit

How To Fix A Discolored Granite Counter

I have a spot on my granite countertop that looks like the finish has been removed. You can see the outline of the mesh bag they were in, and the small area is rough to the touch. Ted said there was an acid reaction between the citrus and calcium carbonate that makes up the surface of the counter — one that is probably not true granite, but a composite. Granite is an ideal countertop material for kitchens, because it is not reactive to acids. Use a little bit of lemon juice in the corner and see whether it reacts and removes the shine after a few minutes. The granite counter in my kitchen is changing color around the sink and on the lip above the dishwasher. I bet you’re right; the counter is probably absorbing water. You must regularly maintain granite surfaces that are exposed to constant moisture by removing residues and sealing with a high quality product. If your sink is an under mount, you must check the caulking around it regularly to make sure moisture is not getting under the counter. Granite is made up of quartz and feldspar and many other minerals. This is more common to calcite-based stone such as marble, travertine, and limestone. It is important when selecting granite for a counter that you test it to ensure it will not etch. Better to have the etch happen in the slab yard than in your kitchen. I assume it is from water around the sink and steam from the dishwasher. If the areas are sealed properly, the surface should dry over time.

3 Reasons Why Your Countertops May Get Discolored and How To Fix It by crowleysgranite.com

Emotions can run as high as the price tag when these surface problems appear and often its assumed that the sealer was incorrectly applied or that the material is defective or substandard. So when you do use good old soap and water, use a sparing amount of mild soap without oils or acids and rigorously rinse with plenty of clean water before the soap has time to dry! The reality is that soap scum, hard water deposits and acid caused etching occur on just about any surface…but they are only really visible on stone counters because the highly-polished surface can’t hide imperfections. It is very likely not a stone or sealer failure but rather a problem with soap, cleaning product, or hard water. Soapy residue often remains on just-cleaned surfaces like pots, pans, and yes, even counter tops and it requires surprising amounts water and rinsing to completely remove it before it dries. Like soap scum, hard water deposits are unsightly and tough to remove. Granite does not readily etch but constant exposure over time to acidic city water or citric cleaning products slowly eat away at the polished surface of the counter leaving a dull appearance. So, take heart if you think you detect some surface discoloration, dullness, or staining on your natural stone countertop.

Keep Your Granite Countertops Looking Beautiful With The Proper Care by graniteandmarbleworks.com

Proper care of granite, therefore, is essential for homeowners. Here are some main steps and maintenance habits you can take to make sure your granite countertop always looks its best. Professional installers will generally seal the countertop as part of the installation process, but it will still need re-sealing at least once per year. A simple test to see if your granite countertop could use sealing is to drip some water on the surface. If the water is absorbed into the stone, it’s now time to re-seal the granite. Let the paste sit on the stain overnight, covered with plastic wrap, then rinse it clean the next day. Even when sealed, these custom finishes may still show blemishes and/or discoloration when wet, especially on black granite. Like other materials, granite countertops require their own specific brand of care, but the effort is well worth it when one considers the value of a granite countertop, its beauty and the lifetime of use it gets. Their facility is very large and they have a large inventory of stone of all kinds. The installers were very professional and did an excellent job removing the old counters, installing the new ones (which are beautiful), and finishing the plumbing and related work. The beauty of granite’s complicated patterns and its long-lived durability are key drivers of that appeal; however, it is also a relatively expensive material. When well cared for, granite countertops will last more than a lifetime. White granite, which is more likely to show stains than darker-colored granite, may require sealing more frequently. Heeding the instructions on the product, use a clean, dry cloth to apply the sealer. Wait at least 24 hours for the sealant to fully cure and become water repellent before doing any food preparation on the counter. Dust the surface with a soft cloth and use either plain water or a mild soap when wiping the counter down. Don’t ever use cleansers with abrasives or harsh chemicals on granite. For example, to remove oily stains that have leeched into the surface, apply a paste of baking soda and dish soap. In cases where your countertop has scratches, as well as stains that are tough to remove, enlist the help of a stone care expert. Enhanced methods must be used for these finishes, which are usually more absorbent; a special penetrating sealer is recommended in these cases, to protect the granite from stains, bacteria and moisture. Granite may be more expensive than manufactured materials, but it’s worth every penny, and with proper care it will keep giving back to you, year after year. Being an artisan also as my 2nd career this is mother nature and art at its best. They use computerized measuring equipment to provide exact specifications for the stone cutting. Everyone there was polite, helpful, patient, and professional. The salesman who took care of us was very knowledgeable and patient and spent all the time we needed. If and when we need countertops again, we will return to them. It was so exciting to watch my kitchen be transformed piece by piece.

Does Granite Stain? Real Answers From A Stone Pro by archcitygranite.com

Granite is relatively impervious to water and is only minimally absorbent. Most of the time, any liquid spilled on granite will remain on the surface for at least a few minutes. In these cases, it will usually dry back out within 15-20 minutes. However, even when this happens, the stain is not necessarily permanent. And if the chances of staining weren’t already small enough, you’ll never have to worry about water rings, temporary dark spots, or stains if you properly seal your granite every year. Our sealer is an alcohol-based formula that fills pores in the granite, stopping any liquids from penetrating the stone. If you have a white granite or other stone that is more susceptible to stains, you may want to apply a second coat. Wipe off the counter with clean towels or paper towels, making sure to wipe away any excess sealer. Let your countertops sit for 24 hours before you use them if possible. This is one of the more frequent questions we hear from first-time granite buyers. Yes, technically granite can stain, but it’s not very common. Some stones like granite are less porous and other stones like marble are more porous. That’s one of the reasons it is such a popular choice for building exteriors all over the world. If the granite is unsealed, this liquid may soak into the granite pores. In some cases, particularly with oils or grease, liquid left on the counter can soak in and create a stain. Most of the time it can be removed using a topically applied paste that draws out any moisture from the stone. Sealer will not change the appearance of your stone; in fact, it will make it more sanitary and easier to clean, since no liquids from food can get into the stone. After that, you can easily repeat the process yourself to ensure your granite stays like-new for years and years to come. Shake the sealer and apply it liberally to every part of your counters using a clean paint roller (you can use a clean paintbrush or paper-towels to get all the way into the corners). Then you need to wipe off the countertops with a clean cloth. In that case, wait for at least 48 hours before you apply the second coat the same way as the first. Clean your rollers or brushes with water and store in a clean place. This product not only cleans and polishes, but also adds a small bit of sealer to make sure there are no unsealed patches on your granite counters. Louis granite showroom to speak with natural stone experts.

10 Substances That Will Stain Your Granite Countertops by rockdoctor.com

Even granite can be marred if spills are left to sit or if surfaces are not adequately sealed. Granite isn’t a particularly porous stone, but, like all natural stone surfaces, it does let liquid in if it isn’t properly sealed. If the water soaks in and darkens your granite, then it’s time to re-seal. Other types of stone are differently affected by potentially staining liquids, so different kinds of countertops may require different care, or be particularly susceptible to certain types of stains. What are some of the substances that can leave a permanent stain in your beautiful granite countertop if not properly cleaned up right away? When water seeps into your granite countertop, it leaves a dark spot that evaporates in a few minutes and returns to normal. The best thing to do to protect your granite countertops from stains is to clean up spills as soon as they happen. But there’s no such thing as a surface that is completely impervious to staining. That’s why it’s important to use the proper stone surface cleaning and sealing products on all your granite countertops! To tell if it’s time to re-seal your granite countertops, perform a safe and simple water test. If the water beads up, then your seal is probably going strong. Sealing is vital, as it creates a barrier of protection around your natural stone. Whatever kind of countertop you have, though, your best bet to prevent stains is to clean up spills immediately, and always use the right stone surface cleaning and sealing products for your countertop.

But substances like cooking oils that don’t evaporate can cause permanent stains if they’re allowed to soak into the stone. Even a completely sealed granite countertop can stain if a spill is left to sit for long enough.

Best Practices For Removing Stains From Marble and Granite Countertops by absolutegranitestl.com

Here are some of the best practices and recipes for removing stains from marble and granite countertops! Add a couple drops of liquid dish detergent, then fill the bottle with water. For grease splatters, sprinkle area immediately with cornstarch and allow to sit for about 15 minutes. They look amazing in both kitchens and bathrooms, but they require some upkeep to prevent them from staining. If the unthinkable should occur, you can tackle stains from liquids and other substances with poultice recipes and do-it-yourself solutions. After 24 hours, remove the poultice and wash the area with mild soap and water. Wash surface with mild soap and water—the cornstarch should lift the grease effortlessly.

How To Remove Stains From Granite by factoryplaza.com

There are also dozen of different granite sealers on the market. One sealant or method of stain removal may work on one stone and not on another. From our experience this is the best oil remover from granite. Use a paper towel folded several times and soak with acetone, cover with plastic and then tape this over the stain so that it does not dry out. Using a blowtorch, gently playing the flame over the stain can remove it. Mixture of acetone and baking soda (toothpaste like consistency), spread on stain, cover with plastic wrap and tape down. Wipe away powder and wash with water, at first there might be a stain on countertop but it will lighten. Cover stain with paste overlapping about an inch, then cover with plastic wrap and tape down. We don’t endorse any stain removal method and we can not be held responsible for any problems that may arise resulting from advice taken. In addition, there are different surface finishes like polished, brushed, honed or leathered. Every piece of granite is different based on color, hardness, and pattern. Before applying any cleaning solutions on granite it is recommend to test it for discoloration of the granite. Apply the cleaner on a dis h cloth and rub the stain and soak the cloth, cover with plastic and leave it overnight. Leave the paste on the stain for about 3 hours or until the powder is dry. Sprinkle some cornstarch on the cleaned, dry surface, covering the stain completely. Thickly layer dry baking powder on top of the stain, cover with plastic wrap. Ammonia mixed into a paste with chalk or corn or rice flour. Apply 50% bleach to 50% water in a poultice powder, mix together until it is a damp mud consistency.