Kool-Aid is an ever-popular beverage for kids’ parties, but the fun colors that make Kool-Aid so attractive for kids also make it susceptible to staining anything it comes in contact with.
This includes your kitchen countertops.
Having colored stains on your counter doesn’t always improve your kitchen’s aesthetic, but Kool-Aid stains take more than soap and water to remove.
Luckily, we’ve done the research, and learning how to get Kool-Aid stains off your countertop is easy.
All you need are a few simple household cleaning items to have your counters looking fresh and stain-free once again.
What You’ll Need
You’ll need a few common household items to remove Kool-Aid from your countertops.
- Water
- Baking soda
- Paper towel or cleaning cloth
Now that you’ve got everything you need, continue reading below to learn how to get Kool-Aid off countertops.
1. Pour a little water onto the affected area
Once you have removed as much of the Kool-Aid as possible from your counter, you will notice that the stain has already appeared.
Although it may seem counter-intuitive, pour a little water onto your counter.
The easiest way to control where the water goes is to dampen a cleaning cloth and squeeze the excess moisture onto the countertop.
You want the area to be damp, not soaking.
Pro tip: The best way to remove Kool-Aid from your counter is to blot it with a paper towel or a cleaning rag that you don’t mind getting stained. Blot the Kool-Aid instead of wiping it off the counter. Wiping may increase the stain, giving you more work to remove it successfully.
2. Sprinkle baking soda onto the stain
Once damped the affected area, sprinkle some baking soda onto it.
Baking soda is excellent for removing all kinds of stains and odors.
Allow the baking soda to sit on the stain for about 10 minutes.
Pro tip: If you are concerned about making an even bigger mess, you can mix the baking soda and water before applying it to the Kool-Aid stain. Combine the baking soda with enough water to create a paste in a separate bowl. The exact amount will depend upon the size of your Kool-Aid stain. Then, spread the baking soda paste onto the affected area of your countertop and allow it to sit for about 10 minutes. You can use either your fingers or a cleaning cloth.
3. Rub the baking soda Into a paste On The Stain
After it has sat for about 10 minutes, rub the baking soda onto the stain so that it forms a paste.
Rub the baking soda paste across the stain repeatedly to remove all of the Kool-Aid.
As you scrub, be gentle.
Baking soda is slightly abrasive, so it may scratch your countertop if you scrub too aggressively.
Pro tip: If the Kool-Aid stain is older or particularly strong, you can reapply the baking soda paste to the stain. This time, allow the baking to sit for an hour or two. The baking soda paste will not damage your countertops, and more prolonged exposure will help draw out the Kool-Aid stain from your counters.
4. Wash your counter as usual
Once the Kool-Aid stain is completely gone, wash your counter as you usually would remove any lingering traces of the baking soda.
If you discover that there are still remnants of the Kool-Aid, you can reapply the baking soda paste to remove it altogether.
Here is a video demonstrating how to remove Kool-Aid stains from countertops.
1:21—After removing as much of the Kool-Aid as possible, add a little water to the affected area.
1:29—Sprinkle baking soda on the wet counter.
1:35—Rub the baking soda into the stain.
2:00—Rub the affected area until the surface is dry and the baking soda has formed a paste.
2:26—Wash your counter normally to remove the baking soda paste.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I use to remove Kool-Aid stains if I don’t have any baking soda?
After blotting up as much of the Kool-Aid as possible, fold a paper towel in half and dampen it with cool water.
Put some toothpaste onto the paper towel.
We recommend using white, non-gel toothpaste.
Toothpaste with baking soda works best, but you don’t need to buy special toothpaste to get rid of Kool-Aid stains.
If you do not have any baking soda available, you can also remove Kool-Aid stains from countertops with toothpaste.
Once you have the toothpaste on the paper towel, gently rub the toothpaste onto the Kool-Aid stain.
You may need to allow the toothpaste to sit on the stain for a few minutes to increase its effectiveness.
Then, wipe the area with a damp rag to remove the toothpaste and the Kool-Aid stain.
If you find that some of the stains lingers, you can reapply the toothpaste without worrying about damaging your countertops.
Can I use bleach to get Kool-Aid stains out of my countertops?
You can use bleach to remove Kool-Aid stains, but we recommend proceeding carefully if you choose to use it.
Although bleach is a good stain remover, it can also damage your countertops and should only be used on white or light-colored counters.
Make sure to test the bleach on an inconspicuous area first before applying it to the affected area.
Keep the bleach out of reach of children or pets, and always work in a well-ventilated area.
If you choose to use bleach, apply a small amount to the affected area.
Don’t allow the bleach to sit any longer than five minutes.
Once the bleach has sat for a few minutes, rinse the area off with fresh water to remove the bleach and the Kool-Aid stain, and then dry with a fresh towel or cleaning cloth.
Are Kool-Aid Stains Permanent?
Because of all the dyes which make it colorful and appealing, Kool-Aid stains do have the ability to become permanent.
However, if you act quickly and follow the steps laid out above, you shouldn’t have any trouble completely removing Kool-Aid stains.
