The Counters Blog

<< >>

Tips For Removing Granite Stains From Countertops And More

Further, some cleaning methods can harm your item, so if what you want to clean or launder is sentimental or expensive call a professional. Some stains and messes just won’t come out, and are permanent.

Frequently Asked Questions by marbleandgranite.com

Natural stone can be dense or porous, and is absorbent to some degree.
How To Clean A Granite Countertop | Duration 2 Minutes 8 Seconds Sealer will decrease the opportunity for something to stain or harm your surface. By sealing your stone, you will more easily retain the natural beauty of the surface. To ensure the beauty and longevity of your stone, we recommend sealing your stone yearly. Marble has veining, and granite has a flecked or granular appearance. Included in this category are granite, slate, and sandstone. Granites with higher levels of quartzitae are especially at risk for the “green bloom” effect. Stones that have more swirls or veins tend to be more porous and absorbent. A protected stone will be easier to clean, resist staining, and provide a safer and healthier environment. To test your countertop’s sealant, apply a drop of water at least ½-inch in diameter to the stone and let stand for at least 15 minutes. If the stone does not darken then it is probably sealed against water-based stains. Most of the time, marble and granite can be identified by visible particles at the surface of the stone. These types of stones include marble, travertine, limestone, & onyx. Activators react with iron or copper minerals in the stone which creates the green color. The staining appears on the edges for the most part, however the staining can also appear on the surface.

How To Repair Granite Countertop Etching by doityourself.com

Granite is not as soft as marble but can still be damaged by various methods from food to home appliances.

How To Clean A Granite Countertop | Duration 2 Minutes 8 Seconds Etching a granite countertop is not that easy to do but when it does happen you should not panic. This will moisten the granite and will show you where and how deep the etchings and grooves are. Unfortunately this has to be done or else the new finish will not adhere or the repair epoxy will not set. Wipe it down with a damp rag to remove the dust created from you sanding it down. The putty knife will be used to smooth the epoxy out as well as push it deeper in the etch. After the epoxy has dried you can gently sand it down in case you missed any lumps or noticeable areas that are raised. When you own a granite countertop you are conveying pride in your home because they are very beautiful and just as expensive. Many granite countertops are finished with polyurethane or stone wax which gives them a great shine. Once they are highlighted you can begin to remove the finish. Attach the 120-grit sandpaper to the sander and use medium pressure as you sand down the area. Once the granite’s surface looks dull and you can feel the texture of the granite the finish is removed. You will first want to mix the epoxy in a plastic bowl you do not mind throwing away when you are finished. After both parts have been mixed use a plastic spoon to fill the etches in the granite countertop. You repair a granite countertop in several ways but for etching in the surface the best bet is to use epoxy. Trying out other methods now could damage the granite and your repair efforts.

How To Clean and Shine A Large Marble Floor by countertopsp ecialty.com

Off the shelf product are not allowed to be purchased by us and brought into the institution. If the marble just looks a little dirty and hazy , but does not have defined traffic patterns then you may clean it up and improve the shine. Acetone is neutral and will not harm marble and it will definitely clean the floor. I can tell you that improper cleaning is probably the most common mistake people make to damage marble. I can give you at this point is to get our marble maintenance manual for a complete understanding of how to do it right. What technique might best be applied to give a marble floor a shine? If the floor has a wax or coating then , it could appear dull and dirty with traffic patterns because that’s what happens to a waxed marble floor if not meticulously maintained. Chemicals can enhance a shine, but you can’t “restore” the polish or make marble shiny if the original polished layer has been worn away from foot traffic (or it is honed)… Re-finishing may also be necessary if you have dirt ground into the pores of the marble and not just on the surface.

Gold Marble Stone Nail Art Using Sharpies! | Paintedbypolish | Duration 4 Minutes 51 Seconds This will get up much of the dirt without damaging the marble so you can better see what kind of shape the polish is in. I hope this helps and gives you a better idea of what you are dealing with.

Why Are My Stone Countertops Cloudy? by granitegold.com

However, improper maintenance and cleaning of natural stone like granite and marble can lead to a noticeable haze or cloudiness that detracts from the appearance of your countertops. Sealing provides a protective layer that stops liquids from saturating into the stone. The correct way to seal stone is to apply the sealer in three-foot sections and buff it into the stone until the surface is completely dry. Granite can be safely cleaned with mild dish soap and water, but this can leave a layer of soap film that dulls the appearance of the stone. Soap and water is one of the most common household cleaning mixtures, but it cannot be recommended for natural-stone surfaces. Stone countertops are a major investment in a home’s value, and the last thing you want is to damage a surface that should last as long as the home. Using corrosive or acidic cleaning products on granite and especially marble can eat away at the stone and leave discolored spots or a cloudy appearance to the entire surface. This will be more noticeable if you fail to seal your stone regularly. In this case, the haze is the result of allowing the sealer to dry on the surface of the stone. Even the water from the sponge or towel you use can leave cloudiness on your counters.

Sealing Your Granite Marble Onyx Travertine Countertops by marble.com

The individuality of each granite slab is what lures so many homeowners into deciding on a granite countertop. If all stone came from one quarry, it would be similar, but still unique. Impregnating sealers sit below the surface of the stone and deposit solid particles into the pores to coat the individual minerals below. If you go to any home show and ask counter- top salesmen that sell anything other than natural stone what makes their product better than stone and you will always get the same answer. The need for sealing every granite, and sealing it often, is a myth and absolutely untrue. Everyone loves stone, but there is a certain mystique attached to it that scares the people who know little about it. The competition tries to pull away potential customers from getting a stone top by over exaggerating the need for sealing granite and marble countertops. You can see this on something as simple as a granite boulder in a park or field; after it rains, it doesn’t stay wet. If, after you remove it, it doesn’t darken the stone, neither will a staining agent. But, this will tell you that you can use a solvent-based sealer to protect against oil—based stains. If there is no color change alter testing with these two liquids, you do not need a sealer on your granite countertop. They aren’t stains, no matter how bad a customer wants them to be stained; they’re etched or corrosion. On marble, the surface of the stone is corroded, leaving the stone in its real natural state or its unfinished look. With honed surfaces, liquids can enter some of the less absorbent stone more freely and therefore require an impregnating sealer. Any sealer worth its weight in gold should last you at least one year, even with the most-porous of all marble and granite. I recommend to seal this stone once a year to keep it stain resistant. It’s recommended that you don’t use the sink for 24 hours so it will set-in. In addition, floor wax should not be used to seal granite, a specifically formulated granite sealer either in a water or solvent based form is recommended. As far as waste is concerned, you have to talk to your fabricator for him to determine the amount of waste your project will produce. With us, we let the customer pick how the countertop will be cut on the slab, and our technicians inspect the stone before it is fabricated to make sure of the integrity of the stone. If water darkens your stone then it means that it was not sealed properly. However, when it is wiped off after a minute a dark stain remains that eventually dries up. That being said, if tomato juice gets on the countertop, then a chemical stain/etching will occur whether or not you have used an impregnator or water based sealer, correct? A stain can be caused by many liquids or oils that soak into the stone because of the stones low porosity levels. To minimize etching, wipe up all spills as soon as possible.

Timeless Stone Fabrication Is Your Countertop Marble Or Quartzite? | Duration 13 Minutes Sealing protects the stone against staining so it’s important to periodically reapply it. Many sealer companies are so confident in their product and strength of the sealer, that they recommend long periods before they feel resealing is appropriate. Hope this clears up the issue and we’re sorry for any confusion. Lets say for example a bit of red wine is spilled and sits over night, would this be an issue if the top is sealed to reccomendation? You can get away with not sealing stones such as those, because they do not really absorb stains as lighter granite’s do. You state in your article that the counters should have “the brand of sealer used originally” reapplied. You will be fine with using another strong, efficient sealer. However, the sealer may etch on the surface so this is possibly what could be happening. This is the one quality that makes this stuff so beautiful and in demand. This also means that no two granite slabs have the same absorbent qualities. If its natural stone, then there is a chance it might need sealing. If a stone cannot absorb anything, even an impregnating sealer won’t sink in. The good news here is that if a sealer won’t penetrate the stone, neither will a stain. This may come as a surprise to many in the countertop industry. They will all say that stone needs to be sealed every six months to once a year but their countertop surface doesn’t require this “inconvenience”. These scare tactics make granite owners afraid to do anything with their granite stone because if it’s ruined, it’s too expensive to replace. A low percentage needs to be sealed because granite is the main stone variety in use, and not all granites are fully absorbent. Simply dab some mineral oil on the slab and leave for 5-l0 minutes. If it does go dark, no worries about damaging the granite with the test; the mineral oil will completely evaporate, leaving the stone its natural color. In short, if the granite goes dark with either water or mineral oil, then seal.

Diy Granite Marble Nails Using Regular Nail Polish | Duration 2 Minutes 30 Seconds This test works for granite and almost all other stones, although there’s a caveat here for marble; an impregnating sealer will not protect marble against those nasty water rings and spots. It’s a chemical reaction between the calcium in the granite or marble and the acid in the product that caused the etch. If it loses its color, it is bleached out or white, as the dye or color from the thread is gone. No amount of sealer will bring the color back, it needs to be resurfaced. When a stone is polished, the pores are tighter and restrict the ability of liquids to enter. One of the usual questions to pop up is, once you determine if` you’re going to seal granite, how often to do it? The field test is that, after washing the dishes, a customer starts to notice the stone is darker with moisture and then getting lighter a short time afterward, it’s time to re-apply (not coat) with the brand of sealer used originally. They also show the homeowner how to properly seal natural stone so no mistakes are made in the future. Lighter granite is sometimes more prone to staining, but it’s nothing that a strong sealer cant’ take care of. It depends on the shape, size, custom cuts, cutouts involved and so on. It has been sealed many times with 5-11 and still leaves a dark spot when something is left on top of water on the counter. Is there a site that tells more about the porosity of different stones, resistance to etching, etc? If a drop of water is left on the countertop for one minute, it still has its bubble shape. This would seem to require a sealer to prevent liquid stains. You can and should seal your marble and this will prevent staining, but it will not prevent etching. We prefer the lighter color than the dark grey it turns to when wet. If you feel more comfortable, resealing it every 3 months is also ideal. Used the sink last night and where the cut out is for the sink the granite turns dark but will lighten when it dries. It was a pleasure working with such great people in your company, and the countertop looks great ! We are always happy to hear from satisfied customers! Always remember to test every product in an inconspicuous area before you apply it to the entire floor or countertop to ensure you are satisfied with the result. We recommend sealing every six to twelve months because of the golden rule: better safe than sorry. The reason why a five year sealing recommendation was in this article for so long is because when compiling the article we leaned on sealer manufacturers suggestions. What do you recommend we use to best seal and protect it’s beauty? Finally, can proper sealing 100% prevent staining from common kitchen liquids, oils, juices? Like with any natural stone, you always want to test the product in an inconspicuous area to make sure you like the results. I want you to have peace of mind and make sure you purchase a stone that you’re comfortable and happy with. We recommend to reseal every six months to be on the safe side. If one doesn’t apply sealant, does it affect the longevity of the granite? Your granite should not generally etch because granite is a siliceous natural stone and not highly reactive to acids like a marble or limestone. In addition, there is a natural stone called quartzite out there and it’s sometimes categorized as granite because it’s generally as durable as granite, but it may etch.

How To Remove Water Spots From Marble Countertop by archcitygranite.com

Because marble is a porous natural stone, use only an approved cleaning process to avoid damaging the marble surface. Marble surfaces might also experience a dulling or etching if you use the wrong products to maintain the countertop due to the porosity and calcite composition of the stone. Because marble can scratch so easily, using microfiber cloths will ensure that you don’t damage the surface of the stone while wiping it clean. Gentle dishwash ing liquid and a soft cloth may be all you need for daily cleaning to remove water spots and other dirt. Other safe cleansers include acetone, which is suitable for dark marble colors. This can lead to mineral deposits building up on the marble over time as the water evaporates. If water spots mar your marble countertop, clean and polish the marble to restore its former perfection. Because of these physical qualities, marble will absorb chemicals and liquids, which can cause permanent staining and damage. Plain water can also be effective for keeping marble spotless. Avoid chlorine bleach, white vinegar, ammonia and any product that contains lemon juice or other citrus. Even baking soda can leave a dull etching behind on a marble countertop. Chamois is exceedingly absorbent, which means that it will dry and buff the marble at virtually the same time. If you institute a habit of always drying the marble counter to remove all moisture, water spots won’t be as much of an issue.

3 Ways To Clean Granite Tiles by wikihow.com

By removing surface dirt before cleaning, sticking with granite-friendly cleaning solutions, and establishing a regular maintenance routine, you can keep your granite tiles in beautiful condition for years to come. Before you begin cleaning your granite tile, it is important to remove surface dirt. Dilute a few drops of the soap in a bucket of water, wringing a soft cloth to remove excess water before each wipe of the granite tile. Though the stone is durable, it is vulnerable to scratching. For example, you could clean all the tiles left to right in one row before moving to the next. If you spray on many tiles at once and the solution is left standing, it may stain your granite. Mix baking soda and water until the mixture has the consistency of sour cream. Use a toothbrush or other small brush to clean the grout between your granite tiles. Always avoid using harsh scrubbers of any kind on your granite tile. Wiping your tile with a dry cloth every other day will help minimize surface dirt. Creating a calendar reminder can help you remember to wipe your tile. Whether it’s a glass of wine or some salsa, food and drink are full of acids and natural juices, which can deteriorate granite tile. Bits of grout breaking off can scratch your granite and trap dirt and grime. Be sure to replace chipped or broken tiles and have your grout touched up wherever necessary. While sealant is no substitute for cleaning, it can make your granite more resistant to water damage and other spills. Unfortunately, if your stain has set for a very long time, though, it can be difficult to remove. Genuine granite will display a random pattern while synthetic will have a subtle but discernible pattern. Even after confirming with the label, spot clean on a rarely seen corner to ensure it doesn’t harm, scratch or otherwise impair the granite. Although the stone is extremely hard, it is not particularly flexible. Next, add a few drops of mild dish soap to a bucket of water and use it to dampen a microfiber cloth. After you’ve cleaned the entire surface, go back to where you started and use a soft cloth to dry the tiles, wiping in a circular motion to avoid streaks. To keep your granite tiles looking their best, though, proper cleaning is paramount. Doing this will keep any bits of grit or grout from scratching your granite, which can trap bits of dirt deep in the stone and dull its finish. If your granite is just a little dirty, first try cleaning it with warm distilled water and some mild dish soap. Don’t ever use anything abrasive such as scrubbing sponges or steel wool to clean granite. If your granite tiles are on the floor, be sure not to clean yourself into a corner. If you choose to clean your granite with a store-bought granite solution, it likely will give off fumes from the chemicals. Spray the cleaner on one tile at a time, wiping with a soft cloth. For deep or set-in stains, apply a poultice to draw the stain out of the stone. After 24 hours, wash the paste off as you would normally clean your granite tiles, with soap and warm water. Many normal grout formulas are abrasive and will damage your granite tile. This will ensure the grout cleaner is applied in a more targeted manner. The more often you do routine cleanings, the less frequently you will need to do serious deep cleans with soap and water or cleaning solution. When something spills, clean it up right away with soap and water, drying your tile completely. Cleaning is a great time to get up close and personal with your tile, examining the integrity of each stone and grout line. A degreaser will take up all the grime from your granite, even rubber. Try some of the granite-friendly solutions outlined in the article above for the best clean. Always read the labels of cleaning agents to determine if they are safe for use on granite. Then, wipe down the surface of the granite with the cloth, working from one end of the tile to the other so you don’t miss any spots. For tips on how to remove set-in stains from granite, read on!

Help! Before My Wife Kills Me! Super Glue On Granite Countertop. -: Homeowners by reddit.com

I use it to clean up my hands after doing anything with sticky product (like spray foam!). Did you not have to polish and reseal after the acetone? If you get to almost any glue before it’s completely set this stuff will remove it. That was my method for unsticking parts that could resist the temperatures when prototyping medical devices. Looks like acetone is really the best bet for the glue, and then the stone can be resealed as needed. We got off what we could with the razor blade, rubbed it lightly with some acetone on a cloth, and then more razorblade.

Does Acetone Damage Granite by answers.com

Would you like to make it the primary and merge this question into it? Granite is an intrusive igneous rock (formed from the slow cooling of magma underground), the major component of the continental crust, coarse grained, and composed of quartz along with a variety of feldspar minerals and micas. Acetone is great for thinning fiberglass resin, cleaning fiberglasstools and dissolving superglue before hardening. The main removal substance in the nail varnish remover is acetone and without it you’d have to scratch it off your nail. Acetone can be made naturally in the body in small amounts by theprocess of decarboxylation of ketone bodies. It is considereda type of organic compound made of hydrogen and carbon. My black composite granite sink developed a white haze after about 8 months. So, it mostly stays as a neutral molecule and doesn’t conduct electricity well. Granite is a common and widely occurring type of intrusive, felsic, igneous rock. Granites can be pink to dark gray or even black, depending on their chemis… try and mineralogy. Granites sometimes occur in circular depressions surrounded by a range of hills, formed by the metamorphic aureole or hornfels. The best way to clean granite is with warm soapy water, then rinse and buff dry with a dry towel. If you want to super clean your paint; say to remove oil from the road use mineral spirits, rags and gloves in a well ventilated area. Just read the bottle, because some varieties are acetone free. This confusion arises because the classification schemes define granite by different means. No, because when you add acetone to acetone, all you are doing is adding more of the volume of acetone to acetone. It can be used as a powerful solvent for cleaning beakers, desks etc. It can be used as a solvent in some synthesis or as a reagent its self. How do you keep metal bar stools from damaging granite countertops? Would the chemicals in shaving cream damage tombstones made of sandstone granite or other quarried rock? However it is not shaving cream that damages tombstones it is stearic acid which is one of the ingredients. Now have a brown countertop with a one inch light blue stain on it. Granite is a very tough rock form that is normally coated, in the use of countertops, with a thin layer of cohesive material that holds it together and gives it shape. For example, cutting right on the granite instead of using a cutting board will eventually result in scratches on the granite surface. If you have a water based stain on your granite you can dampen the spot and apply acetone. A heavy-dutydegreaser, it is useful in the preparation of metal prior topainting; it also thins polyester resins, vinyl and adhesives. In fact, any weight loss is more-so the sim… ple fact that protein is more filling than carbs, sugars, and fats. Nail varnish remover contains acetone and it uses it to remove the nail varnish from the nail. Acerone is an organic industrial solvent used in the manufacture of plastics, paint, rubber ect. Most have dil… uted sealer, a little alcohol, and some soap. Avoid regular cleaning products, some will damage some stones. The goal of distillation of acetone is to purify a sample that isimpure. Granite has a medium to coarse texture, occasionally with some individual crystals larger than the groundmass forming a rock known as porphyry. However, it is not advised to use ammonia or abrasives on granite. To keep your granite from staining or being damaged be sure … to have it sealed with a non-toxic sealant every 1 to 2 years. Acetone is an excellent solvent because it is miscible with both water and non polar solvents. Acetone can also be used to remove wate… r from glassware in the laboratory. The most common use of acetone is to formulate other chemicals. The going will be slow but when your done wipe off remaining mineral spirits and wax the area. It is a yellow liquid that has a burning smoke when lit ablaze. Generally the ‘alphabet-soup’ classification is used because it classifies based on genesis or origin of the magma. You are just changing the amount of acetone, not anything chemically happening. From the quarry, the stones go to granite stockyards where they are processed into building materials or gravestones. I do know that granite as tiny fissures in it and if not sealed properly can damage it. Stop setting your stools on the counter and set them on the floor where they belong. I just tried using acetone to get superglue of my micro-fibre lounge. If you leave it on the granite for more than a day or two it will. It is quite difficult to damage granite countertops as they are made of well, granite.

Need Advice On The Care and Maintenance Of Granite Countertop — College Confidential by talk.collegeconfidential.com

Should the sealant be totally transparent ( invisible) or can you expect to see an opaque, filmy layer? The polished granite never needed anything more than a wet rag to maintain the shine; a polished surface would not ever feel sticky, as t here is no finish on it. I personally liked the unfinished look on the island countertop. If something like softscrub with a sponge doesn’t get rid of it, they may have to buff and repolish those areas. He told me that he had already called the granite installer about this problem so the installer should be coming by in the next day or two to take care of the problem. Thanks again for taking the time to answer my questions! There is one for granite or the all purpose one (in cucumber or lavender scent), which works fine on granite and marble. Our granite countertop easily shows oily residue from baking and other greasy operations, but you can clean it up with regular non-oily cleaners. The kitchen turned out beautifully and for the most part, the whole project went very smoothly. My granite countertop had supposedly been treated with some sort of sealant. How is a properly sealed granite countertop supposed to look like? Seems like they may have done a poor job on the sealing if you see a blotchy film. I can imagine if they used some type of sealant on honed granite, it would start to wear away after a while and perhaps develop sticky patches if something acidic (just guessing) was spilled there. The idea of sealing granite and marble is ridiculous–just a way for them to make money. I had ours resealed a couple of months ago and it felt sticky and tacky and looked terrible. Anyone heard about this business of granite emitting radon? It does not work as a sealant, and it will quickly evaporate from stone surfaces. The radon stories were all over the media a month or so ago. Our counter tops are a multi colored stone and we are so happy with them. Pardon the pun, but could you dish out the bad news?

How To Get Food Coloring Off A Granite Countertop by homeguides.sfgate.com

A common solution to the problem is a poultice made from an absorbent mixed with a reactant, like acetone or hydrogen peroxide. Work from the outer edge of the spill to the middle to help contain the mess. Stir in a few drops of acetone to create a paste that’s the consistency of peanut butter. Lay a sheet of plastic wrap over the stained area, and tape the edges down with masking tape so the reactant doesn’t evaporate. Remove the tape and plastic wrap carefully and allow the poultice to dry. Rinse the area with water to remove any traces of the paste. Combing bleach and ammonia, for example, will release toxic fumes. When properly sealed, granite resists most stains and allows residents more time in which to clean messes before any oils and dyes have a chance to penetrate the surface. Whether or not the sealer on your granite countertop has worn away, spills from such ingredients as food coloring have the potential to leave behind a visible mark. Blot the stain immediately with paper towels before it spreads. Place a few teaspoons of talcum powder inside a plastic container. Spread the paste generously over the stain and about 1/2 inch past the perimeter of the stain. Scrape the poultice carefully off the counter with a plastic utensil, such as a spatula. The stain most likely will be gone at this point, but if not, repeat the process. Make sure your countertops are properly sealed to allow you more time in which to clean up a spill before it stains. If the water get s absorbed by the granite, it’s time to re-seal.

How To Remove Stains From Granite Countertops by granitecountertops.pro

We will go over different stain removal methods in this article. Granite is a harder stone so it usually does not become etched. An etched area is not colored, it just looks like a lighter spot. Clean the area to see if the stain is gone or if there is any improvement. You may need to repeat the process several times depending upon how bad the stain is. Test the rust remover on a sample before applying on the natural stones. We cannot guarantee that mentioned stain removing methods will work as each stone is different. Some of the chemicals mentioned on this article may damage natural stone. Liquids can get in the stone but there are ways to remove liquids from stone. It is important to determine the situation before doing any work. Limestone, soapstone, and travertine usually come in a honed finished; therefore etching is not an as big an issue for these types of stones. It is common that these green discolorations appear on the stone within a few weeks after the installation. The accelerator of this chemical reacts with the stone causing the area to turn green. Repeat all the steps again if the stain gets lighter but still not completely out. Try mixing mineral spirits with talcum powder if above methods to not work. Apply the poultice on the stone using the same steps as applying general stain remover as mentioned above. Always test the products in a small sample before applying it to the stained area. We cannot be held liable if so happens as testing is required first.

Is It Safe To Use Acetone To Clean Haze On My Granite? by stoneandtilepros.com

Is it safe to use acetone to clean haze on my granite? Is there any treatment we can apply to make them less slippery? We wiped it off right away but the finish has been dulled. I wipe off the granite with a rag saturated with acetone to clean the granite and then reseal? What is the best time of year to schedule cleaning?