How to Fix Dull Spot on Granite Countertops

Why are there dull spots on my granite countertop?

Dull spots on your granite countertop are most likely caused by the build-up of soap film on its surface. Residues from food, beverages, and citrus fruits can also cause dull spots on your countertop. Other reasons include the use of abrasive cleaners like bleach and vinegar on your countertop.

If you’re someone who doesn’t clean your counters properly, that might be why you have dull spots on them. Frequent use of soap-based cleaning materials isn’t a great choice either. 

Now let’s look at more reasons why you have dull spots on your granite countertop. 

Wrong cleaners being used

What have you been using to clean your counters? Your choice of cleaners plays a huge role in the overall durability of your countertop. 

The use of harsh cleaners like bleach can discolor your kitchen countertop as it’s bad for granite. A continuous use of soft cleaners like washing soap and water can also form light white streaks on your countertop. 

In a nutshell, any acid-sensitive or alkaline-sensitive material will damage your granite surface. I’m talking about materials like CLR, lemon juice, oven-cleaner, glass-cleaner, vinegar and bleach. 

Such materials will do more harm than good to your granite countertop. 

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Food and beverage stains

When cooking, ensure that your beverages, spices and things like that are sealed before placing them on your counter. 

When such things spill on your counter, they’ll leave a stain and cause etching. I know there are times when spilling is inevitable, but leaving it to dry is a problem. 

Typically, these liquid  stains can break your sealants and some color will trickle into the stone. The bottom line is that you should always wipe stains off your countertop immediately.

Hot items

Granite is heat resistant but it isn’t heat proof. That means it’ll start to dull if you frequently place hot cookware directly on it. Yes, your granite countertop itself can withstand heat, but you can’t say the same for the sealants. 

Protective sealants used on granite countertops can become weak due to direct contact with very hot items. Always use protective materials on your granite countertops before putting hot cookware on them. This will help prevent dull or cloudy spots on your counters. 

How to prevent dull spots

Preventing dull spots isn’t as hard as you think. It all comes down to proper maintenance practices. You shouldn’t let all the mess dry up on your countertop after cooking. Make one last sacrifice and wipe it clean before going to rest. 

You should also avoid doing all the things I mentioned earlier. . Stay away from things that can cause dull or hazy spots on your countertop. You know what I mean right? Harsh cleaners, hot items, and things like that. 

Let’s look at more vital ways of preventing dull spots. 

Use a pH neutral cleaner

Use only commercial cleaners designed specifically for granite on your countertop. The wrong cleaner will erode and dull your granite. 

It’s advisable to use only pH neutral cleaners. They’re mild and are safe to use on most surfaces. You should know that pH cleaners may not clear all kinds of stain. 

They can’t remove hard water spots or rust. But this cleaner is guaranteed to help you clean your granite countertops safely. It won’t leave any dull spots even after prolonged usage. 

Clean stains as soon as they happen

Although granite isn’t as porous as other countertop options like marble, you should still wipe up spills asap. Use a soft cloth to clean up oil or beverage stains. 

Don’t use any random cleaner while doing this. You can use a microfiber towel to clear up the majority of the mess. Then get another towel with a pH neutral cleaner to clean it properly. 

Once you’re done, rinse your towel and give the countertop one final wipe with fresh water. Not letting stains dry on your counter is the best preventive measure. 

Use heat protectors against hot items

As you may already know, granite is heat resistant. Truth be told, it’ll eventually become dull when you expose it to frequent heat. But this has a simple solution. 

Always use a trivet, cutting board, or heatproof mat before placing any hot item on your countertop. Coasters and cutting boards are very easy picks for this job. You don’t have to go the extra mile to get anything special. 

Always make sure there’s a barrier between any hot item and your countertop. 

How to fix dull spot on granite countertop 

To remove the dull spot on your granite countertops, use a soap film remover. This will clear the soap and general residue deposits which have made their way onto the surface.

Soap film remover

First off, you want to make sure that you’ve got a granite-safe soap film remover. After that, it’s pretty easy. The detergent will break down the soap film, oil, or food particles causing the dull spots. 

Then they can be easily wiped off. Now, you can go ahead and give your countertop a final rinse. These products will work perfectly for slight dullness due to soap deposits and hard water. 

So if you have dull spots on your countertop, go get a soap film remover. It’ll work on large dull areas too. 

Baking soda and water mix

Yay! This is another awesome use of baking soda. An easy-to-make and safe mixture of baking soda and water might just be what you need to get rid of those dull spots. 

Mix ¼ cup of baking soda with a little water to form a paste. Spread the paste over the stained or dull areas and cover it with a plastic wrap. 

Tape the plastic around the edges and seal the poultice to the stone. Perforate the plastic wrap in a few spots to allow the mixture to dry. Leave it for a day or two if they’re really tough stains. 

For mild spots, leave the paste on for 20 minutes and scrub with a soft towel. Voila! You’re done. 

After care

After the cleaning process, you’ll need to do some finishing touches which will restore the shine to your countertops. You don’t need anything too complicated. Just a little petroleum jelly and a few other things. 

Use a granite polish

Granite polish does well in removing stains and any residue that might be causing your countertop to look dull. Some polishes are designed specifically for granite variants (light or dark). So ensure you get the right one. 

Use the polish according to the labelled instructions and work it into the granite. You may need a burlap or a felt pad to do this. Also, it requires a lot of elbow grease to make it work. 

It’s pretty easy to use so you shouldn’t spend too much time. After this process, you’ll need to reseal the stone. 

Add a thin layer of vaseline

You wouldn’t believe how much difference a little Vaseline would make in this situation. Add a thin layer of Vaseline to your countertop surface and rub it in. It’ll help liquids to bead up rather than soaking or staining your granite. Plus it’ll add more shine to the granite surface. 

Only use a granite commercial cleaner and no other

Do not use any other cleaner aside from a granite commercial cleaner on your countertops. Random cleaners will etch the surface and you’ll have to start this removal process all over. Using granite commercial cleaners regularly will make sure that mineral deposits are removed from your countertop too.