Acid stain on granite countertop – Causes, Solutions, and Prevention
A granite countertop that has been stained by acid is not broken, but it’s difficult to remove the stain. Granite can be etched with acid-based cleaners or stains will fade over time.
Most acidic foods are incorporated into dishes to provide balance and make a cohesive meal.
However, the Acidic nature of the said food, although not particularly harmful when consumed,
is capable of damaging granite. Leaving you with Acid stains on your granite countertop.
Acid stains can be difficult to get rid of when they are set, it’s not impossible though. I’ll take you through some of the most effective ways to get rid of Acid stains on granite countertops as well
as the nuances of preventing a future recurrence.
Stick with me for a second.
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Vinegar
As a versatile “ingredient”, Vinegar serves a variety of purposes in the kitchen, and it is regularly
used in cuisines and also as a cleaning agent.
Vinegar is very acidic and constant spill over your granite countertop will constantly strip the material of its sheen and leave patches of acid stains sporadically.
For Vinegar stains, you don’t have to go buck-wild with the cleaning methods, as the damage is
very reversible. However, countermeasures have to be implemented to prevent it from
happening again.
Solution.
A mix of Baking Soda and Water is the way to go
Application:
● Get a bucket or container, or any convenient vessel to make the solution.
● When making the solution, it’s important to note that you do not need to soak the whole
area in the liquid, therefore make a small batch.
● Using a clean rag, soak the towel or rag in the solution and gently scrub the affected
areas.
● Rinse with clean water after you have the desired results.
● Wipe down with a dry towel
Prevention.
Do your best to avoid spilling Vinegar on your granite countertops, although it makes a good
cleaning agent, the Acidic nature of Vinegar tends to dissolve the natural occurring Silica
present in the granite that gives it its glossy finish, and that is what makes it water and dust
repellent.
If you set a bottle of Vinegar on your granite countertop, ensure you use a coaster to limit spill.
If you make an accidental spillage, make sure you clean it immediately using a detergent and
sponge. That way it does not try and damage the granite.
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Food
It is no secret that certain food (and when I say food, I mean food produced) contain Acid, some
examples include; Citrus-Lime, Lemon, Oranges, and the work. As well as Tomatoes, Pineapples, etc.
Although it is most convenient to cut and chop up these fruits on your granite countertop, the
acidic nature of these foods is also causing Acid stains on your granite countertops.
Provided the stains are handled quickly with the appropriate cleaning techniques, they should not be much of a hassle to get rid of.
Solution
This may sound redundant, but the most efficient solution would be to clean the countertop
immediately after use. Just water and cloth would not suffice because they can’t remove all the
acid residue.
I would suggest you add a detergent and soap with a little bit of baking soda in the mix.
Application;
This is straightforward;
● Make a mixture of the detergent, water, and baking soda in a bucket.
● Use a sponge or towel to soak up the solution and clean the granite countertop.
● Clean with a dry towel. That’s about it.
Prevention.
Common sense dictates when there is a persistent problem, you troubleshoot to know the
source of the problem. In this case, the cause of the Acid stain on your granite countertop is…Food.
As long as you have identified the cause of the underlying problem, it’s best to take
measures such as—
Using a chopping board whenever you are going to cut the food you identify as “Acidic” that way
you minimize the damage and save yourself the headache.
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Wine (Alcohol)
Indulgence in the occasional wine drinking is a great pass time, however, allowing spills on your
granite countertops will have you searching the Internet for the best and most convenient
remedies for Acid stains which have brought you to this particular point—
You may think “I wiped the wine stain off, that should do it”, you would be wrong, the stain
usually lingers and will wear your granite countertop out over time. Fret not, there is a solution,
of course, and that’s why we are here.
Solution.
Acid discoloration on granite caused by wine is easy to get rid of, honestly with a bit of soap
the solution, or a standard cleaner, you should be solid.
The main reason wine causes Acid stains is if the sealant on your granite countertop has worn
out, therefore when the Wine comes in contact with the unsealed granite it leaves a mark.
Therefore after cleaning, ensure you reseal the granite with a high-quality sealant.
Prevention.
Always use a coaster when you are setting a glass or bottle of wine on your granite countertop,
make it a policy to always clean up after yourself whenever there is a spill, preferably with a
Baking Soda solution.
Lastly, reseal your granite countertop regular to maintain the gloss which keeps it liquid
repellent and free from stains.
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Sulphuric acid
This may not apply to most situations because it’s not common. After all, who just has Sulphuric
acid laying around in their homes? Granite countertops are also used in Labs, and you know
who has Sulphuric acid? Yes, you guessed it— Laboratories.
I’m using this example to show you that no matter how aggressive or bad an Acid stain may
seem, with the right techniques, it is completely salvageable.
Solution.
The best and probably only solution would be Polishing. There are different methods of
polishing granite, you can do it manually which would take forever, or use power tools to make
the job easier— but you know what is even easier? Hiring a professional to get the job done, but
if you’re like me and you love DIY with a hint of back pain. Then I’ve got you.
Check This Out – Can You Use Car Wax on Corian Countertops?
Application;
As for the mediums used to polish granite, you can either use the dry granite polish, which is a
powder, or the wet kind which is a paste. Either works just fine.
● Apply the paste or powder on the surface of the granite countertop, especially the
affected area.
● Use a sanding machine like a hand grinder to gradually work the powder or paste it into
the granite to smoothen it out and give it a sheen.
● Keep repeating this process across the surface of the granite until you achieve the desired
result.
● Wash off the powder or paste with the granite debris, and clean with a dry rag.
● The last and most important step is that you have to apply a silica-based sealant to
restore the sheen and gloss.
Prevention.
The best advice that can be offered is to avoid spillage at all costs, always use gloves, and in the
unfortunate event of a spillage, ensure you rinse off immediately with lots of water.
FAQs
How do you fix etched granite?
Etching in granite is very inconvenient because it ruins the smooth aesthetic that granite is
popular for.
The best way to fix etched would be to have the entire surface of the granite
polished, that way you can even out the etched areas and give them a dynamic look.
Avoid using sharp objects to hack at your granite countertops, it may seem indestructible
because it’s “stone” but that is what causes the etch and prevention is always a better solution.
Does Acid destroy granite?
“Destroy” seems like an intense word but Yes, if the acid is corrosive enough it will indeed
destroy granite.
However, if we are talking about the acid that is food, then the worst it can do is
cause a few discolorations here and there which will make it messy.
As outlined earlier, always use a chopping board when cutting fruits that contain acid, and
always clean up after yourself, ALWAYS.
Does Acetone damage granite?
No, it does not. Acetone makes a great cleaning agent in most cases. It can be used to remove
stains from granite.
Unless it’s expired or mixed with some other chemical, it should not cause damage to granite.
Conclusion.
It may seem impossible to reverse the effects of Acid stain on granite countertops, but it is super
easy and convenient to DIY as long as you’ve got the dexterity and the materials.
Before it gets to the level that you need to find a solution to the Acid stain, you should take countermeasures to ensure it does not occur in the first place.
The prevention methods above are effective, making it a daily habit until it becomes an unconscious practice.
