Letter 11303

Olive oil stain found on Granite Countertop

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How do I remove an olive oil stain from my granite counter top? Please help! I just put them in this week!

Sheryl Rlast name deleted
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania


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Hi,

Did you get any good suggestions you could forward me? I bumped into your posting by accident and I'm in the exact same situation you are in. So much for granite being bullet-proof.

Thanks,

Daniele Rlast name deleted
- Berkeley, California


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Same problem--olive oil stains on a granite counter top. Any solutions would be appreciated.

D, Solodar
- North Palm Beach. Florida


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I just installed granite countertops and heard about staining from oil, butter or grease. Besides not using these things, how can I prevent staining?

Thanks,

Ilene Wlast name deleted
- Congers, New York


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I am in the same situation w/ granite. It is a melted butter stain...did anyone get any help? Thank you.

Shawn Hlast name deleted
contractor - Port Orchard, Washington


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A. I picked up this solution which worked great! Mix one cup of unbleached flour with three tablespoons of Blue Dawn dish washing liquid (it has grease cutting ability) and water. Add water to consistency of yogurt. Apply as poultice to countertop approximately 1/4 inch. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to sit overnight or longer. Wash off poultice. This removed a large oil stain on a new countertop.

Frank Slast name deleted
- Oakland, California


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A. TO REMOVE BUTTER OR OIL STAIN FROM GRANITE COUNTERTOP, USE A PAPER TOWEL FOLDED SEVERAL TIMES AND SOAK WITH Acetone [link is to product info at Rockler]. COVER WITH PLASTIC, THEN TAPE THIS OVER THE STAIN (SO IT DOES NOT DRY OUT) AND LEAVE OVERNIGHT. I HAVE SEARCHED, ASKED AND TRIED EVERYTHING. THIS FINALLY WORKED!!!

Sadie Mlast name deleted
- Coto de Caza, California


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A. Hi , I just came to this site with the same problem, and then realized: shout! I got Shout Gel and put some on my massage oil stain with a q-tip. I just wiped it off with a wet towel, and it's gone! Try shout.

Vlada Slast name deleted
- Nampa, Idaho




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A. The Shout Fix worked! Be careful to apply with a QTip as discoloration to the surrounding granite can occur.

Seth U name was deleted
- Dallas, Texas


January 17, 2006

In a panic, I placed an overheated pot on my black granite. The pot was stainless steel and had oil stains on the bottom. The hot pot, which was only on the granite for a few seconds, left a white mark. I have tried everything suggested here. When I first remove the treatments, the mark is gone, but after a few hours it returns. Any suggestions anyone?

Bebe S name was deleted
- Birmingham, Alabama


April 25, 2006

Does anyone know how to remove embedded coffee stains on granite?

Patti S name was deleted
Consumer - Vernon, Wisconsin


May 4, 2006

I tried acetone and Shout, they didn't work! help!

Sally R name was deleted
- Troy, Alabama


August 22, 2006

A. The flour, dish washing liquid and water paste should work for most granite stains but for oil based stains replace the dish washing liquid with 1-2 tablespoons of 12% hydrogen peroxide [link is to product info at Amazon] and let it sit covered in plastic wrap overnight.

Ron P name was deleted
- Toronto, Ontario, Canada


October 7, 2006

PLEASE HELP!! I think I have the same problem as one of the previous posts - but I am not sure "white"" stain or a fog on my granite counter and I don't know how to get it out. Since I am not sure what the stain is from I am n t sure how to treat it. Please help

Linda H name was deleted
homeowner - Boston, Massachusetts


December 5, 2006

A. For oil and other stains try placing a hot wet terry cloth towel on the stain with a iron on full steam right on top,then try the common poultice, the steam will help breakdown the residue and the poultice will draw out the stain.

Dan C name was deleted
- Suffolk, New York


December 17, 2006

I have a white stain or a fog on my Gialo Florito granite counter and I don't know how to get it out. Since I am not sure what the stain is from I am not sure how to treat it. Please help. Same problem as Boston Homeowner posted on Oct 7, 2006.

Jose A name was deleted
- Bronx, New York


February 6, 2007

A. Granite oil stains sometimes never come out. Sealing will help prevent stains. For most granite stains apply 50% bleach to 50% water in a poultice powder. (Diatomacious Earth powder sold in hardware stores works great) mix together until it is a damp mud consistency. Set on the stain, cover with plastic. 24 hrs later pull the plastic wipe clean and let dry for a day. Then seal is when dry.

Mark O name was deleted
- Anaheim, California


March 14, 2007

Does anyone know how to remove a red wine stain from granite counter tops without damaging the finish of the granite?

Colette S name was deleted
homeowner - Braintree, Massachusetts


July 17, 2007

Dear Readers,
I recently stained my granite counter tops, ( the front as well as the bull nosed side)
I have tried hot dish washing liquid but nothing stronger for fear of ruining the finish.
I was transporting hot grease from a metal container to a plastic container. When I tried to lift it the bottom and side melted on the spot and grease spilled everywhere. I did clean it up immediately but the next day two stains appeared. Fearful of using a hard abrasive cleaner I opted to seek advice on the correct approach to take.
If you could help me with this dilemma it would greatly be appreciated.

Sincerely,
Granite Top Blues

Cheryl G name was deleted
hobbyist - Lutz, Florida


July 18, 2007

Does anyone know how to get out stain from a granite countertop caused by someone spraying WD-40 up under the countertop to lubricate the kitchen sink faucet. This inadvertently soaked the granite from underneath and a dark stain spread to the top and lip of the countertop overhanging the sink. Any help will be greatly appreciated. This is a brand new, light color granite countertop.

Steve L name was deleted
homeowner - Newtown, Pennsylvania


July 25, 2007

Help, foggy, white "stain" on new granite counter top. I don't think it's a food stain. Noticed just prior to moving back into kitchen. don't know what to "clean' it with and don't want to seal it in. anyone have experience with this? Thanks Holly

Holly Plast name deleted
homeowner - Concord, California


October 10, 2007

We had granite installed last week and it is already stained. It was sealed, I watched the men do it after they installed the top. Just about everything stains it, even if you try like mad to keep it spotless.

The granite shop isn't returning my phone calls after we had words over the quality of the seam and polishing. They came well recommended and were not even close to the cheapest bid. I tried to support a local business and this is what I get in return.

Rebeccah Hlast name deleted
- Cheifland, Florida


November 27, 2007

A. One thing to always remember is that every granite is different based on country, color, grade, & pattern. One stain removal, sealant, refinish, etc...method may work on one and not another.One may react to the slightest water ring from a sweating glass, where the other will practically be shot by a bullet and you could never tell.

I have dealt with owning White and Black Granites, and each is considerably different to how good it has to be sealed after installation, how carefully it has to be used, how hard it is to clean ( regular maintenance or stains ), as well as how often it has to be maintained ( strip, reseal, new impregnator and/or polish ).

I have personally used the poultices ( many recipes - some from historic times taken off the web ),Acetone, Shout, and weird concoctions made from somebody's numerous laboratory experiments. Some including items like; laundry soap - the granular w/bleach and color brighteners kind, ammonia, vinegar, salts, etc...

One thing I do know for sure, do not get discourages about some stains.... keep trying. But a must is; DO YOUR RESEARCH BEFORE BUYING A STONE. KNOW MORE THAN THE SALESMAN.

B Wolkan
- Livonia, Michigan


March 1, 2008

I used Windex on the olive oil stain and it's getting lighter I keep working on it I only had my counter tops for 2 weeks and I was willing to call them in to replace one side but they said impossible with the glue on the counter tops they would have to tear up everything and that's too costly good luck with the windex

Tawana name was deleted
- Los Angeles, California


March 10, 2008

A. I had a red wine stain on my granite counter top that we had managed to overlook for two weeks. Using dish washing liquid and brushing it out did nothing to the purple stain that was left behind. I mixed OxyClean and a little bit of water, brushed it with a toothbrush onto the counter top and left it to dry for several hours. After 2 applications, the OxyClean took the entire red wine stain out!

Melissa F name was deleted
- San Marcos, California


April 13, 2008

I set a bottle of CLR on my white granite counter top for a minute and it now has a foggy stain. I haven't tried anything yet. Any suggestions?

Barb Haselhorst
- Aviston, Illinois


May 2, 2008

My coffee pot sat on the counter overnight and leaked coffee and has stained the counter top granite which is light. I tried the flour and dawn solution and it did not work.. any other solutions

Teri Aceves
- Simi Valley, California


May 3, 2008

We've been in our new renovated kitchen for six months now. we chose a kashmir granite, brushed. And we have two toddlers. The granite was sealed three times before delivery and once afterwards. Our table in the kitchen, connected to island is the same brushed granite. The entire end area where my son eats is a darker, dull color now, and same situation around the cooktop. I'm guessing it's a combination of use and oil stains. How do I remove these stains? And if that's successful, how do I prevent them in the future? Is there some spray cleaner or something to use after my son eats or after I cook? I'm meticulous and always wipe down the area but I know now that's not enough. By the way, the granite shop and dealer told me it was no more porous than if I bought it polished. I disagree. Thanks for any advice.

jennifer hamilton
- atlanta, Georgia


May 12, 2008

Hi:

I was cleaning my kettle with a cleaner called removall(Same as CLR)and a I wasted a few drops on my Laminate kitchen counter top and I didn't notice it until later when some white spots appeared.When I wash it with a wet cloth the stain seems to disappear but as soon as it dries it appears again.I was just wondering if anyone has any ideas on how to fix this or how I can make it blend in a little better...THANKS

BEVERLY GILLARD
- Fort Mcmurray, Canada


June 4, 2008

A. After the installation of my (light-coloured) granite I took a spare piece and left oil, vinegar, lemon juice and a very popular soft drink on it and let them soak in. After 24 hours I wiped the granite: nothing left a mark apart from the oil, which gradually faded. If you can do this you will be able to check how porous your granite is (they vary widely) and know the degree of care you should take. Any oily substance I religiously put on a coaster. However, if occasionally something does get spilled and I prefer not to wait a couple of weeks for the stain to gradually fade & disappear, then I soak the spot with water before applying a poultice of baking powder and water. This should be mixed to a thick paste and put on top of the stain, before being covered with cling-film cellotaped down at the sides. Leave for 48 hours, remove and wipe down and that should help with the removal/fading process nicely. I also actually cover the counter top at the side of the stove I'm using with a tea towel before cooking anything using oil, to avoid spits. It only takes a minute, but I can't afford to replace my granite if it gets screwed up.

Helen Carter
- Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.


July 12, 2008

We just had a new granite counter top installed and today my wife noticed that the seems, on either side of the back splash, are turning green. The granite has a stain guard on the surface that is supposedly guaranteed for 15 years. Some of these seems have never even been wet and are not close to any heat. Has anyone encountered this before? I just was looking for some opinions before I call the company.

James Gilchrist
- Lincoln, California


August 8, 2008

Recently my boyfriend and I purchased a granite counter top for my bathroom. Apparently I spilled some Ivory hand soap on its surface and it remained there for two months when we were in Florida working. He has used CLR and I tried lots of water to possibly dilute the soap stain but those efforts haven't worked. Any one ever had this type of problem and possibly a solution? Thanks!

Judy Grant
homeowner - Bailey, Colorado


August 8, 2008

A. I put in new Paradiso granite tops, and within 24 hours had an olive oil stain. The tops had not been sealed as I proved that sealant prevents this. Using a small blowtorch (used for crème brulée) I gently played the flame over the stain and Voilà! - stain gone in seconds.

Shelley Nelson
- York, North Yorkshire, UK


August 11, 2008

My French isn't good. Is 'crème brulée' French for 'safe cracking'?

Thanks for the suggestion, Shelley, it was just the mental image of using a blowtorch on your brand new counter tops :-)


Ted Mooney, P.E. 
finishing.com
Brick, New Jersey


August 24, 2008

I have a question. A candle melted on our granite outdoor table top. There is a huge stain now and I have tried poultices,acetone,shout,dawn soap. I'm now trying lacquer thinner but to no avail. Is there anything that will work? Help!!
Deb Kassner

Deborah Kassner
- Elk Grove Village, Illinois


October 9, 2008

Just Like Rebecca H., we also just had an install performed by a local company. Attempting to see if she has had difficulty finding resolution through said company?

John Cain
- Chiefland, Florida


November 6, 2008

My olive oil stain was 4 days old. First I applied Shout and it didn't work. Then I rubbed dry baby powder with a dry dish cloth and it removed 90% of the stain. I will continue to apply the baby powder over the next couple days.

Sharon Klast name deleted
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania


November 11, 2008

My husband dropped and broke a bottle of olive oil on our granite counter while cooking. He wiped it up, and I went over it--over and over. It appeared to be dry, but several days later, I wiped it again with a paper towel and found that there was still oil in the seams (between the counter top and the "rise" (granite backsplash)...I was soaking it up and thought I'd gotten most of it. Several weeks later, I have noticed a huge stain from the rise out about 3 inches...and a little bit going up the rise. I've tried the acetone and paper towels, the baking powder and windex...several times...are there any other suggestions or is it too late?
Cathy
Marco Island, FL

Cathy Spina
- Marco Island, Florida


November 18, 2008

I used the flour and peroxide poultice method to remove a grease stain from my brand new granite counter top. I let it sit over night.. and.. Oh my gosh! There is a newer, bigger stain now from that poultice mixture! What do I do now? Help?

Susan Grattino
- Denver, Colorado


December 6, 2008

January 17, 2006

In a panic, I placed an overheated pot on my black granite. The pot was stainless steel and had oil stains on the bottom. The hot pot, which was only on the granite for a few seconds, left a white mark. I have tried everything suggested here. When I first remove the treatments, the mark is gone, but after a few hours it returns. Any suggestions anyone?

Bebe S
- Birmingham, Alabama

There does not seem to be an answer to this type of stain request.

We have now experienced the same stain and am wondering what to do?

John Smith
- Sydney, Australia


December 10, 2008

I too have questions about new white granite turning green, but what good is a web site that is nothing more than questions?

belle sandwith
- calpine, California


December 11, 2008

Hi, Belle. Sorry, it's human nature that more people ask for help than take their time to offer it. Plus, many of the postings aren't really questions that can be answered, but are statements of regret or worry. Still, view the thread a little more slowly: a dozen of the postings are answers to previous questions!

Your question may be clear in your mind, but it's certainly not clear to me. You are considering white granite counters but have heard that they turn green, so you're leery? Or you bought them and they are turning green? At first blush, it sounds unlikely that granite which has remained white for millions upon millions of years would spontaneously turn green when you buy it; but I don't know.

Or do you think they are becoming stained with green from cutting vegetables and so on? Please clarify. Thanks!

Regards,


Ted Mooney
finishing.com
Brick, New Jersey


January 9, 2009

I had an oil stain on my new whitish granite counter top. I used Dupont StoneTech Professional Oil Stain Remover -->
It works and was very easy to use. It comes in a can.

You spread it 1/4 inch thick on top of the stain and extend the application another 1/4 inch around the stain. Leave it on 24 to 48 hours. Do not cover it. The paste will dry hard and white. You then whisk the dry paste away and the stain is gone.

The white mixture comes suspended in a lemon/orangey smelling solvent. The solvent spreads out around the patch and it had me worried, but the solvent evaporates and disappears after a day or two and will not change the color of the granite.
It works and it gave me peace of mind.
You can get it at some granite stores I guess. I bought it on Amazon.com -->

Demeter Charmant
- Fairfax, Virginia


January 19, 2009

We just got done remodeling our bathroom with a beautiful new black granite vanity top. When cleaning the toilet, I set the bottle on the granite not thinking about it. Now I have white stain which looks like it took the shiny finish off of it! I am just sick about it...can anyone help?

Thanks

Donna Hart
- Mukwonago,Wisconsin


January 19, 2009

A red Christmas candle melted in the sun on my outside patio furniture, which is a coarse marble from Mexico. My husband scraped away most of the melted candle wax with a razor blade. However a red stain was left on the marble. Any ideas for how to remove?

LB Sullivan
- San Diego, California


January 25, 2009

Alas, the black granite power kitchens of the late 80's, early 90's got us to love granite but not the black color. So we choose light & colored granites etc., and then are so surprised, disappointed and unhappy when they stain up so badly with food, oil, felt markers, crayons, candles etc.
What do to after the fact? Be very very careful to not spill anything on them. Otherwise, just live with it. All these poultice ideas I will try out. My light granite counters are a mess with oil stains -- I rented out my fab house for 3 yrs and the granite kitchen counters are ruined by the tenants: oil rings, rust stains, 18" on both sides of the stove are solid dark oil stains. I did know that granite is porous, so I put coat after coat of sealer; and I did know that the 'shiny' finish is just a mechanical polish subject to being etched by acids and alkalis.

I think if I ever get to do it over, I will choose something different -- something that is a rapidly renewable resource, or easily recyclable. If I tear this out I have no idea how it could be recycled, so this expensive and non-renewable will just go in the landfill.
How sad. I bought into the power kitchen look, and now I get to live with the reality of it's high staining properties. Maybe I will be lucky, and one of the poultices mentioned in this thread will work, and that would be real nice!

Lani Allen
- Oakland, California


January 27, 2009

I like the Dupont StoneTech Professional Oil Stain Remover suggestion on a previous answer, has anyone else tried it? Does it really work? Is there a final solution to getting the oil stains out? Can someone finally send a correct answer that really works?

Help us all please!!

Jose Carrero
- San Juan, Puerto Rico


February 2, 2009

Oil stains on sealed granite? Happened to me too... I used an fix for the same problem with oil on my new expensive leather purse... CORNSTARCH! Lifted the oil right out of the leather. So I figured, couldn't hurt...

Sprinkle some cornstarch on the cleaned, dry surface, covering the stain completely. let sit overnight/24 hours. vacuum or wipe off. Stubborn cases (or if the stain is older) may take longer. I was shocked this worked, but it did.

Tina Hess
- Sacramento, California


February 3, 2009

Two months ago when my new kitchen was finished I discovered I had not done my homework and my new granite counters were subject to oil staining. Something as simple as oil on the bottom of my olive oil bottle leaves a ring. I tried the dawn, flour, water combination, and it made the stains lighter but they did not go away. Then I got the StoneTech Professional Oil Stain Remover [link is to product info at Amazon], just a 3 oz can to try it out on my stains. WOW, it really works, the stains are gone! While I do intend to continue being careful, I no longer think something as simple as letting others (like my kids) cook or clean up in my kitchen will end up ruining my counters.

Suzanne Glade
- Evanston, Illinois


February 24, 2009

I have "Silver Cloud" granite counter tops that were installed in 2000. We usually reseal them about every 6-12 months, but I have put it off because I have several oil and butter stains that have been there for a long time. I've tried to remove them in the past with poultice, repeating the process several times with out luck. Is it possible to remove or even lighten these stains or am I done for?

Kerstin Gomez
- Boston, Massachusetts


February 17, 2009

I went to Amazon and was shocked by how much their STONETECH Oil Stain Remover was, but I found a great price at Tri-Point Marble & Granite Restoration, $6.95 for the 3 oz size. Here is the link: http://www.tripointpro.com/servlet/the-Stonetech/Categories

I'm in the middle of trying the cornstarch, bought baby powder, Shout, and ammonia just in case, and am ordering the Stone Tech for future problems. Good luck everyone!

Laurie Macfee
- Reno, NV, USA


March 7, 2009

That's a good price, Laurie, thanks for finding it! But Amazon is a very reliable discount vendor, not an overpriced boutique, and postings here have a long life here -- so the situation may be the opposite when some future reader checks this :-) Thanks!

Regards,


Ted Mooney
finishing.com
Brick, New Jersey


March 7, 2009

Try corn starch as a very safe and low impact way to remove an oil stain. I set a plate on my new granite countertop last week, unbeknownst to me it had some olive oil on the bottom ring of the plate. The plate only sat there for 30 minutes max, but that was enough. Several hours later I noticed a very obvious ring in the granite from the olive oil penetration of the surface.

I ordered a product at a local tile store that is supposed to remove oil stains which was to come in 48 hours later. In the interim I thought I would try a safer approach since there is always the risk that anything with an aggressive solvent might actually discolor the granite and make things go from bad to worse. I put corn starch on the stain based on a response I had read to this same question.

Put the cornstarch on and let it sit for 18 or 24 hours. A couple of times within that period I wiped the cornstarch with some pressure across the stain in order to encourage the oil to be absorbed by the cs. At the end I then vacuumed up the cornstarch and repeated the process for another 24 hours with more cs. 90+ percent of the stain is gone. Given the pattern and multicolor nature of my granite it is now only visible to me since I know exactly where it is. I highly recommend giving this a try before you put harsh chemicals or cleaners on the granite since the risk is zero with this method. If you discolor your granite with a more aggressive method there will be no turning back if the granite is discolored.

Ron Ryan
- San Jose, California


March 8, 2009

I have a rainbow stain around my faucet and soap dispenser. I have an undermount sink and I sealed my countertop a year ago. Is the stain trapped in the sealer or can I get it out? I also have water drop stains in other areas of my granite. Do you know how to remove them?

Rebecca Elkin
- Evans, Georgia 


April 20, 2009

Thanks for such a informative website, I had no idea when purchasing stone that it stains so easily. Moved into our new kitchen on Wednesday, first oil stain by Friday. But after reading some entries on this site, tried a modified version and had success.
I thickly layered dry baking powder on top of the stain, and then covered with plastic wrap . Then I kept a hot towel over the cling wrap for several hours. There is only the faintest mark , which I would only be able to see .

Thanks again now my husband doesn't want to KILL ME !!

Julie Refalo
- Australia  
opt 


April 20, 2009

I think I've gotten everyone beat! I have a gold/cream colored granite and it appears that I have strings of spaghetti forming throughout many parts of the granite. That is what it looks like - darker strands, then lighter. The granite has been sealed twice, once when it was installed and once by us. We've had it for about 18 months - I am afraid to seal it again as I do not want to seal these streaks in it forever. Any advice?

Kerri Nexon
- Succasunna, New Jersey


May 22, 2009

Granite countertops should be sealed on a regular basis. My place told me every 6 months, but I do it once a year or so. I cook with olive oil and let it drip onto the counters pretty much daily. And I don't always clean up at night! I've had my countertops for 10 years.

I didn't seal my new countertop in the bathroom, and am now looking for a oil fix. I was surprised no one mentioned that granite needs to be resealed regularly. I will now put my bathroom on the same schedule as my kitchen...

Lili Nona
- Stamford, Connecticut


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