Material file · Hard surfaces
Granite: what it can take
Covers granite countertops and other sealed silicate stone. It tolerates hot water (up to about 60 °C (140 °F)) for the final wash, but only after any protein has been rinsed out cold.
- Water
- Yes
- Max temperature
- 60 °C (140 °F)
- Rubbing
- Fine
- Stain files
- 32
01 What it is
Granite is porous stone, so spills can soak in and stains have to be drawn back out.
Granite itself is tough, but its sealer is not; harsh chemicals wear it away and let the next spill in.
It is porous, so time matters: the longer a spill sits, the deeper it goes.
02 House rules
- It tolerates hot water (up to about 60 °C (140 °F)) for the final wash, but only after any protein has been rinsed out cold.
03 Field notes
- Granite is mostly quartz and feldspar, so it shrugs off acids far better than marble, but its sealer does not.
- Oil stains in light granite show as dark, blotchy patches; an acetone or baking-soda poultice draws them out.
04 Every cleaner, rated
| Cleaner | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Acetone | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Baking soda | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Borax | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Citrus adhesive remover | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Cornstarch | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Dish soap | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Bio detergent | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Enzyme cleaner | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Hot water | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Hydrogen peroxide 3% | Test first | Used in poultices for organic stains on light stone; it can lighten dark stone. |
| Oxygen bleach | Test first | Not acidic, so it will not etch, but rinse it off fully and test on a hidden area. |
| Rubbing alcohol | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Steam cleaner | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Chlorine bleach | Avoid | Repeated bleach can degrade the sealer on granite. |
| Household ammonia | Avoid | It breaks down granite sealer. |
| Lemon juice | Avoid | Acid wears down granite sealer. |
| Magic eraser | Avoid | It dulls polished granite and wears the sealer. |
| Oxalic acid cleanser | Avoid | It can etch calcite in granite and strip sealer; use a stone-specific rust poultice. |
| WD-40 | Avoid | It can still darken granite if the sealer is worn. |
| White vinegar | Avoid | Repeated acid wears down granite sealer, and some granites contain calcite that etches. |
05 Stains on granite
| Stain | Difficulty | Never |
|---|---|---|
| BBQ sauce | Tough | Vinegar or lemon, Hot water |
| Nail polish | Tough | Daily vinegar |
| Permanent marker | Tough | Water first, Daily vinegar |
| Super glue | Tough | Pulling, Daily vinegar |
| Turmeric and curry | Tough | Hot water, Daily vinegar |
| Wall paint (latex/emulsion) | Tough | Daily vinegar |
| Beetroot | Stubborn | Daily vinegar |
| Berries | Stubborn | Vinegar or lemon, Bar soap |
| Chocolate | Stubborn | Hot water, Daily vinegar |
| Grape and cranberry juice | Stubborn | Vinegar or lemon, Hot water |
| Grease and cooking oil | Stubborn | Daily vinegar |
| Mustard | Stubborn | Hot water, Daily vinegar |
| Red wine | Stubborn | Vinegar or lemon, Hot water |
| Rust | Stubborn | Chlorine bleach, Daily vinegar |
| Salad dressing | Stubborn | Daily vinegar |
| Tomato sauce and ketchup | Stubborn | Hot water, Daily vinegar |
| Avocado | Manageable | Hot water, Daily vinegar |
| Bird droppings | Manageable | Hot water, Daily vinegar |
| Blood | Manageable | Hot water, Chlorine bleach |
| Butter | Manageable | Daily vinegar |
| Candle wax | Manageable | Hot water, Daily vinegar |
| Coffee | Manageable | Vinegar or lemon, Hot water |
| Cola and soda | Manageable | Vinegar or lemon, Hot water |
| Egg | Manageable | Hot water, Steam |
| Gravy | Manageable | Hot water, Daily vinegar |
| Matcha | Manageable | Vinegar or lemon, Hot water |
| Soy sauce | Manageable | Vinegar or lemon, Hot water |
| Tea | Manageable | Vinegar or lemon, Hot water |
| Water stains and rings | Manageable | Spot-wetting, Daily vinegar |
| Beer | Easy | Vinegar or lemon, Hot water |
| Orange juice | Easy | Hot water, Ironing |
| Sticker and tape residue | Easy | Daily vinegar |
06 The most common mistakes on granite
Counted across all 32 stain files for granite:
- Vinegar or lemon as everyday cleaners (22 files). Repeated acid wears down the sealer that keeps the next spill out.
- Hot water (21 files). Hot water helps the colour bond, and leftover sugar browns later under an iron or in a dryer.
- Vinegar or lemon (10 files). Repeated acid wears down granite sealer, and some granites contain calcite that etches.
- Bar soap or soap flakes (6 files). True soap is alkaline, and alkalis set tannin stains such as wine, coffee, tea and fruit.
- Chlorine bleach (2 files). Chlorine bleach can worsen rust-related marks. Use a compatible product labelled for the actual stain and material.
- Water first (1 file). Water spreads alcohol-based ink and does not dissolve it.
07 What the granite files use most
These are the products the 32 stain files for granite rely on most. Dish soap leads because surfactants have a water-loving end and an oil-loving end.
08 When to call a professional
Rust stains, large oil stains in light granite, and resealing.