I Can't Remove A Stain From Kitchen Granite (granite countertops, heat, cleaner)

[NDL]

We have black granite countertops in the kitchen.

One day, I wiped down the countertop with windex, and while the countertop was still mildly (barely) damp, I set a hot pot down on the surface - which left a round stain around the perimeter of the pot, on the granite.

Thus far, I have tried everything: commercial granite cleaners, which seemed to make it worse.

I then tried making a paste of baking soda and peroxide; I covered it with saran wrap for a week, and the stain disappeared.

But then it reappeared.

I then tried repeating the process several times; several times the stain disappeared, and reappeared.

I tried using Maguires cleaner wax on the surface, to no avail.

I havent included a photo of the granite on this thread: it's very cloudy outside, and without natural sunlight, the photo won't highlight the problem.

Any suggestions?

[springfieldva]

I'm surprised to hear that your black granite stained like that. I might take some pictures of the stains and take them to a granite fabricator and see if they have any ideas. I don't know if it can be buffed out or what they would need to do to fix that.

[K'ledgeBldr]

Was the Windex one of the ammonia based products (all are not)?

[NDL]

Originally Posted by springfieldva

I'm surprised to hear that your black granite stained like that. I might take some pictures of the stains and take them to a granite fabricator and see if they have any ideas. I don't know if it can be buffed out or what they would need to do to fix that.

Thanks for the suggestion. The problem is, I haven't found a reliable granite fabricator in my area. I will keep searching...

Originally Posted by K'ledgeBldr

Was the Windex one of the ammonia based products (all are not)?

Appreciate the reply. It might well have; I no longer have the bottle. I do know that it did not contain vinegar.

[Mayvenne]

I'm puzzled as well. From what I recall, if it did have ammonia, that only hurts the sealant. (Doesn;t hurt the granite or do anything permanently). I'd check around a bit more, but maybe try using the sealant again to see ?


I had dark granite in my last house and was not very gentle with it. I think maybe after 5 years I reapplied the sealant but it honestly didn't seem to need it. In this house I have a lighter quartzite and haven't reapplied the sealant yet.
In a powder room I have black granite that does show lots of water marks even though it's been sealed. They do come out when wiped though. ( that they reappear is from new drips ...

[elnina]

How long ago it happened? The granite might be still wet inside and drying.

[K'ledgeBldr]

As others have lamented to after my inquiry, I’m thinking the ammonia, and the high heat from the pan, may have had some effect on the sealer of the granite.

Cleaning the area with some isopropyl alcohol and reapplying a sealant may resolve the issue.

[NDL]

Originally Posted by Mayvenne

I'm puzzled as well. From what I recall, if it did have ammonia, that only hurts the sealant. (Doesn;t hurt the granite or do anything permanently). I'd check around a bit more, but maybe try using the sealant again to see ?


I had dark granite in my last house and was not very gentle with it. I think maybe after 5 years I reapplied the sealant but it honestly didn't seem to need it. In this house I have a lighter quartzite and haven't reapplied the sealant yet.
In a powder room I have black granite that does show lots of water marks even though it's been sealed. They do come out when wiped though. ( that they reappear is from new drips ...

Thanks so much for the reply, and suggestion

Originally Posted by elnina

How long ago it happened? The granite might be still wet inside and drying.

Appreciate the reply. I would say this happened in the late Spring - late April/early May?

Originally Posted by K'ledgeBldr

As others have lamented to after my inquiry, I’m thinking the ammonia, and the high heat from the pan, may have had some effect on the sealer of the granite.

Cleaning the area with some isopropyl alcohol and reapplying a sealant may resolve the issue.

Thanks for your interest in my problem. I have cleaned the area with alcohol, but I have yet to reseal it. We'll see if it helps.

[KCZ]

Ammonia-based cleaners aren't supposed to be used on marble, especially black marble, because they can etch the stone. Maybe black granite has enough of the same minerals to have the same response when heated. Just a guess. I think you need professional input here. And I'd switch to something like Daily Cleaner, which is ammonia-free.

[K'ledgeBldr]

Originally Posted by KCZ

Ammonia-based cleaners aren't supposed to be used on marble, especially black marble, because they can etch the stone. Maybe black granite has enough of the same minerals to have the same response when heated. Just a guess. I think you need professional input here. And I'd switch to something like Daily Cleaner, which is ammonia-free.

Ammonia is considered a “base”. It is neither acidic or alkaline- it does not “etch”.