Marble and granite countertops are gorgeous but they are porous and will soak in liquids that can leave stains (even sitting water can cause stains!). Here are some poultice recipes & stain removers that can help remove those. Many types of liquids and sauces can stain the stone including fruit juices, wine, coffee, tea, water, vinegar, vegetable and olive oils, ketchup, bbq sauce, grease splatters–etc., it’s important to wipe up spills as they happen.

Baking Soda Stain Remover Poultice

• First blot the stain to remove as much of the substance as possible.
• Next, spray the stain with water.
• Cover the stain completely with a paste made from baking soda and water (to the consistency of sour cream). Cover with plastic wrap.
• Leave the stain covered for at least 24 hours, the baking soda will dry and pull up much of the stain.
• After 24 hours, remove the poultice and wash area with mild soap and water. Apply a fresh poultice if needed.

Flour & Liquid Soap Poultice

1 cup unbleached flour
3 TBS liquid dishwashing detergent (no bleach, use a gentle soap like Ivory or Dawn)
Water

• Mix the flour and soap together then add water until you have the consistency of sour cream.
• Cover the stain area with the poultice so it’s about 1/4? inch thick and overlaps the stain by about 1/4?.
• Cover with plastic wrap for 24 hours.
• Wash off poultice and clean area with soap and water. If stain is still there, reapply poultice.

Rubbing Alcohol Stain Remover Spray

• Pour 1/8 cup of rubbing alcohol into a 16 oz. spray bottle. Add a couple drops of liquid dish detergent then fill the bottle with water. Shake before use. Spray onto granite or marble stains and wash area clean.

Hydrogen Peroxide Pad

*Careful with this on dark colored stone, it “may” lighten the color a bit. Test a small area first.

• Fold a wad of cotton gauze to approximately the size of your stain, saturate it with hydrogen peroxide and squeeze out excess (you want the wad to be wet but not dripping wet).
• Apply the pad to the stained area then cover it with plastic wrap, tape around all edges of the plastic to seal the wad. Put a saucer or some object on top of the pad to add some weight/pressure to the stained area.
• Leave this on the stain for 24 hours, check then reapply as needed.

Corn Starch

• Spray stain lightly with distilled water then sprinkle a thick layer of corn starch over the stain. Leave for 24 hours or longer. Wipe up then reapply if needed.
• For grease splatters, sprinkle stained area immediately with corn starch and allow to sit for about 15 minutes. Wash area clean with mild soap and water, the corn starch should lift the grease effortlessly.

Tips

• Remember to cover your granite & marble tops regularly with a sealant to prevent staining from happening in the first place.
• The quicker you wipe up and blot spills the easier it is to prevent or remove stains.
• Before applying a method of stain treatment, do a test spot first to make sure the stone’s color or finish won’t be affected. These should be safe to use but better safe than sorry.
• Before applying a treatment, examine the stain closely. If the stain is still there but is lighter or reduced, you know the treatment is working. Keep applying until the stain is completely gone.