What Causes White Stain On Granite

A change in the natural chemical makeup of the stone.

What causes white stain on granite.

Food and beverage spills especially that of greasy foods and cooking oils can stain a granite surface over time. Make sure to only add a small amount of rubbing alcohol as too much may damage your granite. The porous granite soaks colors and dyes often resulting in stains after lots of use or exposure to some fluids or objects such as oil based cosmetics food colored drinks and metal objects. Stains from grease cooking oil and other oil based products cause the granite to darken.

Some examples of things that might cause these stains are toilet bowl cleaner or spilled white vinegar. A thorough cleaning with mild detergent followed by a light coat of olive or mineral oil. And of course more lightly colored granite is more likely to show stains than darker colors so if you have a white or other pale colored granite countertop it s important to be extra vigilant. What should you stay away from using.

If you have a light water stain that is caused by condensation you can often remove it using a mixture of mild dish soap warm water and a small amount of rubbing alcohol. Not caused by the stone absorbing an agent but rather caused by damage to the surface. The minerals in hard water cause a different kind of stain on granite. Corrosion typically caused by acids leaving rings or water spots that cannot be removed.

Start by determining the source of the stain. These stains can be removed be gently cleaning the granite with one of the following products. 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. Even a completely sealed granite countertop can stain if a spill is left to sit for long enough.

Black or dark colored granite can develop a white haze over the surface from hard water mineral deposits.