Granite countertops can be a beautiful selling point for a home, but there is a myth that they are hard to clean!
So if you accidentally find that you or a guest has accidentally spilled some red wine, you might find yourself in a panic.
No need!
Granite countertops are not too difficult to clean, and if you follow these steps on how to remove red wine stains from granite countertops, you should be in the clear!
What You’ll Need
- Baking soda
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Small bowls
- Plastic wrap
- Sponge
- Dish soap
- Water
- Clean cloth
Now that you have everything you’ll need, continue reading for step-by-step instructions on how to remove red wine stains from granite countertops.
1 . Add Baking Soda
First, you will add about two tablespoons of baking soda into a small bowl.
If your red wine stain is relatively large, you may need to alter the amount of baking soda you add.
2. Add Hydrogen Peroxide
Next, add one teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide to the bowl with the baking soda.
As with the baking soda, if your red wine stain is particularly large, you will want to add more hydrogen peroxide in proportion to the amount of baking soda you have added to the bowl.
3. Mix Baking Soda And Peroxide
Carefully mix the baking soda and peroxide.
You will be creating a paste out of this.
It will be a bit crumbly, but that is good.
You do not want this to be a watery mix.
4. Cover The Stain With Mix
Once you have created your baking soda and hydrogen peroxide mix, spread the paste on top of the red wine stain on the granite countertop.
Create a thick layer of paste on top of the red wine stain.
If you cannot create a thick layer, consider making more of the mix using the same proportions as above.
5. Cover With Plastic Wrap
After adding the thick layer of the baking soda and hydrogen peroxide paste, cover the paste and red wine stain with plastic wrap.
You do this so that the paste does not dry out too quickly.
Try to use enough so that there is a border of wrap on the granite countertop around the paste.
6. Let Mix Sit
With the plastic wrap in place over the paste and red wine stain, let it sit for a total of 24 hours.
7. Wipe Away With Soapy Water
After 24 hours have passed, remove the plastic wrap.
Then using a sponge soaked in soapy water, wipe away the baking soda and hydrogen peroxide mix.
I really like this MR.SIGA Non-Scratch Cellulose Scrub Sponge.
It gets excellent reviews on Amazon.
8. Wipe The Countertop Clean
Once you have removed all baking soda and hydrogen peroxide mix with the sponge, use a clean cloth and wipe clean the granite countertop.
These MR.SIGA Microfiber Cleaning Cloths work well on almost any type of cleaning job, therefore they are handy to keep around the house.
Video Instructions
- Step 1 (:06) — Add baking soda
- Step 2 (:09) — Add hydrogen peroxide
- Step 3 (:13) — Mix together
- Step 4 (:16) — Cover stain with mix
- Step 5 (:22) — Cover with plastic wrap
- Step 6 (:25) — Let it sit
- Step 7 (:31) — Wipe away with soapy water
- Step 8 (:39) — Wipe clean
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Red Wine Permanently Stain Granite Countertops?
Not necessarily, red wine will stain granite countertops, but they can be removed.
If you follow the steps and maybe a couple of times, if necessary, you should be able to remove red wine stains from your granite countertop.
The main concern would be the integrity of your granite countertop’s sealant.
If the sealant is older or in bad shape, it is more likely that red wine and other food and liquids will stain the natural stone.
Make sure that you keep up on maintaining your sealant on your granite countertops to avoid issues with staining the natural stone of your granite countertops under the sealant.
Are Granite Countertops Difficult To Clean?
There is a common myth that it is challenging to clean granite countertops.
While it is essential to have your granite countertops protected with a sealant, they are not too difficult to clean and keep clean.
You need to make sure you use the right materials and cleaning solutions when cleaning your granite countertops.
That is the key to keeping your granite countertops clean and intact.
Be sure to use gentle abrasives, such as baking soda to remove dirt and stains gently.
These will be sure to avoid damaging the natural stone of the granite countertops and their sealants.
Also, dish soap and water or rubbing alcohol and water are suitable methods to clean off granite countertops as they will not harm the sealant.
Use softer tools, like sponges and soft cloths.
These will help keep your granite countertops from scratching.
You can even use a razor blade to clean off stains from granite countertops.
When using razor blades, to avoid scratching the granite countertop, you will need to press the entire blade onto the surface and not just the point of the blade.
You will, of course, want to be safe and cautious when using this method so that you do not harm yourself.
No matter the caution you use, you will still need to replace the sealant on the granite countertops.
Everyday use of granite countertops will still wear away the sealant and cause the granite countertops to be in danger of damage and stains.
Keep an eye on the state of your sealant so that you know when you should have the granite countertops resealed.
What Cleaners Should I Avoid Using On Granite Countertops?
You will want to avoid using any harsh cleaner and abrasive tools.
Acidic cleaning solutions, such as vinegar, citrus, and solutions including ammonia or bleach will dull and weaken the sealants on your granite countertops.
While heavy-duty cleaners may seem like an excellent way to remove stains, such as red wine stains, they will quicken the breakdown of your granite countertop sealant.
Using the hydrogen peroxide too frequently or leaving it on for too long may harm the countertop sealant.
