55% of homebuyers are happy to pay extra for a home that has granite countertops. In fact, it is often at the top of the must-have list homebuyers make. Many people will not consider a home that doesn’t have granite counters.
Yet, many people worry about installing this natural stone in their house because they wonder does granite stain?
Here’s everything you need to know about dangerous spills on your countertops and what you can do about it.
Stain-Proof Vs Stain Resistant
One of the most important things you need to know is the difference between stain-proof and stain-resistant surfaces.
Granted is impervious to water and is less absorbent than many other surfaces commonly used for countertops. It is also a minimally porous stone.
Granite is a stain-resistant surface.
Does Granite Stain?
One of the first questions homeowners have when considering a granite countertop is will granite stain?
Granite counters are a hard natural stone that resists stains. Before they are installed, they are treated with a sealant that prevents liquid from absorbing into the pores of the granite.
But, if spills are not picked up within a few minutes, there could be a stain. If any liquid is left to soak into the stone, it could leave a stain. Even water will leave a dark spot for a few minutes until it evaporates.
If you keep an eye out for spills while you cook, you’ll have no problems keeping your countertops looking like a million bucks.
What about Light Color Granite Countertops?
Light color granite countertops are still resistant to stains even though the color of the stone is light. The stone is not more likely to stain if it is a light shade.
Yes, stains are more visible on lightly colored granite than darker colors. All that means is that you need to be diligent about wiping up spills right away.
The good thing is light countertops will make it easy to see spaghetti sauce spills right away. Get in the habit of wiping spills as they happen and you will enjoy a beautiful counter that doesn’t have any blemishes for years.
Light grey and off-white granite countertops are popular choices. If you plan to sell your home down the line, granite countertops are often at the top of many homebuyers’ wish list.
Worst Foods That Stain Granite
Certain foods are more likely to cause stains than others.
If you leave your glass of red wine on the countertop, make sure it is dry before you set it down. Red wine can leave a ring on granite. Coffee is another beverage to be mindful of.
When you grab a carton of fresh blueberries from the farmer’s market, be careful. This is a top culprit for leaking berry juice and staining granite.
Watch out for dark juices such as tomato and grape juice. Not only are these dark liquids, they also are acidic and can seek into the natural stone.
Cooking oils can seep into the stone and leave a grease stain, especially if the granite is not fully sealed.
Citrus and chemicals are corrosive so it’s best to exercise caution with these. Always use a cutting board to cut lemons, limes, and oranges. And don’t use chemicals on your countertop.
Proper Granite Cleaning
On top of wiping spills up quickly, the next most important thing is to make sure you are cleaning your granite correctly.
Don’t Use Acidic Cleaners
Many people assume that you can use natural ingredients to clean natural stone. That is is not true.
Although granite is a tough surface, acidic liquids can eat through the surface and wear the granite down.
That is why you must never use any bleach, vinegar, or lemon cleaners on granite. Vinegar, and lemon all contain more acid than is safe for granite.
Do Use Natural Stone Cleaners
You can buy cleaning products that are meant for cleaning stone surfaces. You can buy these products or make a DIY granite cleaner with ingredients from your pantry.
One of the best cleaning solutions for granite is a mixture of dish soap and rubbing alcohol.
Make sure to use rubbing alcohol and not a different type of alcohol. Rubbing alcohol is an antiseptic solution and so works great to disinfect your counters. It is also pH balanced.
Combine 3 parts soap with 1 part rubbing alcohol in warm water. Be exact with this formula as too much alcohol can eat away at the seal on your granite.
Let the mixture cool slightly then mix well. The water should not be boiling hot. Dip a clean microfiber cloth into your water mixture to clean the counters.
Never use cloths with abrasive surfaces that could scratch your counters.
Buff and Dry Granite Countertops
Many people wipe down their counters with a wet cloth and let it air dry. This is a mistake!
Once your counter is clean, use a fresh, dry microfibre cloth to dry your counters. This will prevent streaks on your granite and will also make your countertop shine.
Remember to use a dry cloth, your wet one won’t work for buffing and drying. You can also buy a luster polish that is safe for granite to make your kitchen tops gleam.
Resealing Granite Countertops
Every couple of years you should get into the habit of re-selling your granite countertops.
It only takes 15 minutes and helps protect your beautiful granite for years to come. A resealing also prevents liquids from seeping deep into the natural stone and causing stains. So it’s a smart way to protect your investment.
There’s a simple way to determine if your granite countertop is due for a resealing. Dip your fingers in water and splash them on the counter. If the water forms a bead, your counter is properly sealed.
If the water doesn’t bead up, you need to give your granite a new seal. Make sure to check your manufacturer’s warranty before performing a sealing yourself. The last thing you want is to void your warranty.
Final Thoughts
We hope you found this guide on does granite stain useful. Remember, a granite countertop is a desirable feature in your home that will help drive up the price if you ever sell.
Check out this post to learn how durable granite countertops are next.
