Oils: spilt cooking oil from pots and pans can leave permanent stains which are difficult to remove. Some foods also contain oils, so remember to use chopping boards or mats for food preparation. Bleach/ammonia: common household cleaners can be very harmful to natural stone surfaces.
When water seeps into your granite countertop, it leaves a dark spot that evaporates in a few minutes and returns to normal. But substances like cooking oils that don't evaporate can cause permanent stains if they're allowed to soak into the stone.
Water is highly unlikely to cause a stain on your granite countertop. Any water that is absorbed into the stone will likely dry out within 15 to 20 minutes. But while water should not cause any issue, you will need to watch out for oil and grease. Both can stain your granite countertop if you are not careful.
A mix between bleach and water can help remove tough stains, such as food and drink stains, including coffee and wine on sealed granite countertops.
Granite is a porous stone, making it susceptible to stains from liquids or other substances left to sit on the surface. The liquid seeps into the small holes in the rock, making it harder to remove it. Spills are common on a kitchen counter, but bathroom counters are also prone to stains from toothpaste or make-up.
Vinegar is made up of acids that can severely harm your granite. Even if it is diluted, vinegar may still leave acids on your granite countertops. This can cause your natural stone countertops to etch. You can tell that your granite countertops have begun to etch by seeing a small ring or some sign of a watermark.
Food and beverage spills, especially that of greasy foods and cooking oils, can stain a granite surface over time. Hair dyes, colored toiletries, paint and stain pigments – the colorants contained in chemicals, when spilled on granite, will seep into the granite's pores and discolor the surface.
Baking soda is a really wonderful ingredient that is extremely useful for removing stains from granite without damaging the surface with harsh and abrasive chemicals.
Though commonly used as a wound disinfectant, hydrogen peroxide also works wonders on your granite tops. A solution of hydrogen peroxide removes stains without bleaching or discoloring your countertops.
Mid-Range Fix
Buy a polishing powder designed for natural stone countertops. You'll generally have to mix the powder with water to form a paste. Then “polish” problem areas with a soft cloth. Some products require you to leave the paste on overnight (mostly for stain removal).
Rubbing alcohol is a natural bactericide and can also kill fungus and viruses. It has no ill effects on your granite or the seal on your granite so it's an ideal way to keep countertops clean.
Bleach: While bleach is a great disinfectant, it can dull the finish of your granite and in some cases even change its color. There are other, safer, ways to disinfect your stone, so avoid bleach and any products that contain it when cleaning your granite.
Stones that are lighter in color do tend to show stains more quickly, as we can see in the pictures here. After 10 minutes, the oil was able to be wiped up without leaving a stain. After 2 hours though, you can see a stain where the olive oil was. The stain is even more pronounced and larger in size after 24 hours.
ANSWER - Even though you sealed your granite counter top it doesn't prevent staining if the coffee spill was left on for an excessive amount of time or if it wasn't cleaned completely. The stain should be removable.
Stains on White Granite Countertops
Makeup, soap with dyes and even household cleaners can leave stains on bathroom countertops, too. While granite is a very durable material, it's important to remember that it is a porous natural stone.
Sealed granite countertops are much less likely to absorb water, however if water is left on your countertop for long periods of time, it can cause a darker spot. Oftentimes, water will just dry and evaporate but if it's been left to sit for a long time, it might needs a bit more help.
If after a few minutes the water has soaked into the granite, then it's time to reseal the stone. DON'T: Use harsh or abrasive cleaners and sponges. Windex; acidic cleaners, like vinegar, lemon, lime; or anything with ammonia or bleach should be avoided.
Whether you have laminate, quartz, granite or another hard, non-porous countertop, follow the disinfection directions on OxiClean™ 3-in-1 Deep Clean Multi-Purpose Disinfectant to kill 99.9% of bacteria and the virus that causes COVID-19, without abrasives or chlorine bleach.
While you may have it in your home already, you should never use nail polish remover on your natural stone. We can recommend a granite cleaner that will help to remove the stain. Acetone works great for oil-based spills which can be caused by cooking oils or even butter.
Granite that is not sealed is far more likely to develop stains, especially from soap. Sealing your granite closes the pores of the stone to prevent liquids from penetrating the surface. If you're unsure how to seal natural stone, you can seal it yourself in a few easy steps.
Do use a mild detergent soap. Regular Dawn or other dish soaps work well. Do use a soft cloth. No special tools needed here: a soft cloth will help remove all grime and dirt without damaging countertops.
Scrub the Surface
Since granite countertops have a sealant on them to keep them shiny and stain-resistant, you want to avoid using anything too acidic or basic on the granite. Frequent use of vinegar, Windex or bleach will dull the granite and weaken the sealant. Instead, a little soap and water should do the trick.
Granite is a common material used for countertops in your kitchen and bathroom. Unfortunately, these areas are prone to toothpaste and oil stains.
Stain Removal:
Make a paste of baking soda and water. Apply the paste to the stain and let sit for five minutes, then rinse off with a soft cloth. Baking soda is a mild abrasive, so don't scrub. Repeat if necessary.
Mix a paste of baking soda and water that has the consistency of sour cream. Slather the paste on the stain. Cover the paste with plastic wrap. Let set for 24 hours, then remove the poultice, and clean the area.