How to Remove Stains from Granite: Make a paste of baking soda and water. Gently scrub the spot with the paste and a soft brush. Rinse thoroughly. Several applications might be necessary to remove stains from granite countertops. How to Seal Granite: Seal granite countertops with an appropriate sealer formulated for stone. This will help prevent stains and make it easier to keep clean. How to Remove Stains from Laminate Countertops: For greasy buildup, try cleaning kitchen countertops with natural cleaning ingredients such as vinegar and water. If the surface feels tacky, rub with a paste of baking soda and water, then rinse. No sealing is necessary for laminate countertops. How to Remove Stone Countertop Stains: Make a paste of baking soda and water. Gently scrub the spot with the paste and a soft brush. Rinse thoroughly. Several applications may be necessary to lift the stain on your stone counters. How to Seal Stone Counters: Seal with an appropriate sealer formulated for your particular stone to help prevent stains and make everyday cleaning easy. How to Remove Stains from Butcher-Block Countertops: Blot up as much of the stain as you can to prevent it from sinking into the pores of the wood. If you’re dealing with a light butcher-block stain, try sprinkling on salt. Then scrub with the cut side of half a lemon. Stain still showing? Let it sit overnight before rinsing with water and drying with a clean cloth. For a darker wood countertop stain, try dabbing with a cotton swab dipped in a 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution to lighten it. If the stain seems permanent, you can always sand and refinish the butcher block. How to Seal Butcher-Block Counters: Oil wood countertops to keep the wood from drying out, help seal the surface, and add a sheen. To seal butcher-block counters, wipe the wood with a light coat of mineral oil, letting the oil soak into the surface. Sop up oil that does not soak in. Do not use excess oil because the surface can become tacky and attract dirt. Don’t use linseed or vegetable oil for this purpose because they can become rancid. How to Remove Tile Countertop Stains: Although tile doesn’t stain easily, grout does. It’s also the area most likely to harbor bacteria. Scrub the grout with a mild bleach solution and a toothbrush. Then seal it with a commercial grout sealer. How to Seal Ceramic Tile Counters: Glazed ceramic tile does not need to be sealed. Grout, on the other hand, should be sealed with a grout sealant to help it become stain-resistant. Unglazed tile countertops should be sealed with a penetrating sealer for protection and stain resistance. How to Remove Stains from Concrete Counters: Make a paste of baking soda and water. Gently scrub the spot with the paste and a soft brush. Rinse thoroughly. You might need to repeat several times to remove the stain. How to Seal Concrete Countertops: Seal with an appropriate sealer formulated for concrete to help prevent stains and make it easier to keep clean. How to Remove Marble Counter Stains: Acidic liquids can permanently etch your marble, so blot wine, orange juice, tomatoes, and soft drinks immediately. Most marble countertop stains can be removed by applying a poultice, a thick paste that absorbs the stain from the surface. Deep-seated stains might require calling in a professional. How to Seal Marble Countertops: Use a product formulated especially for marble’s porous surface. How to Remove Stains from Cultured-Stone Countertops: Make a paste of baking soda and water. Gently scrub the spot with the paste and a soft brush. Rinse thoroughly. You might need several applications to lift the stain. How to Seal Cultured-Stone Countertops: Seal with an appropriate sealer formulated for the surface to help prevent stains and make it easier to keep clean. Glass countertops are stain-resistant. No sealing is necessary. How to Remove Stains from Solid-Surfacing Countertops: Solid-surfacing countertops are stain-resistant. Wipe away virtually all stains with soap and water. For scorch marks, scratches, or persistent stains, consult with your countertop fabricator about renewing the surface. Solid surfacing does not need to be sealed. Stainless-steel countertops are stain-resistant and do not need to be sealed. How to Remove Wood Countertop Stains: Blot up as much of the stain as you can to prevent it from sinking into the pores of the wood. If you’re dealing with a light stain, try sprinkling on salt. Then scrub with the cut side of half a lemon. Stain still showing? Let it sit overnight before rinsing with water and drying with a clean cloth. For a darker stain, try dabbing with a cotton swab dipped in a 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution to lighten it. If the stain seems permanent, you can always sand and refinish a wood countertop. How to Seal Wood Countertops: Much like butcher-block countertops, oiling wood countertops keeps the wood from drying out, helps seal the surface, and adds sheen. Wipe the wood with a light coat of mineral oil, let it soak into the surface, and wipe away oil that does not soak in. Do not use excess oil because the surface can become tacky and attract dirt. Don’t use linseed or vegetable oil. How to Remove Stains from Cultured-Marble Countertops: Make a paste of baking soda and water. Gently scrub the spot with the paste and a soft brush. Rinse thoroughly. Repeat as necessary. How to Seal Cultured-Marble Countertops: Seal with an appropriate sealer formulated for cultured marble to help prevent stains.
