Ink stains can be a real nuisance. If you have granite countertops, you know that ink is almost impossible to remove.
However, with the right techniques and products, it is possible to get those pesky ink stains out of your countertops for good! In this guide, I will walk you through three ways to remove ink stains from granite countertops.
To give you a brief answer to the question, there are three simple ways:
- Using a Commercial Poultice Powder
- Using Home-made Poultice From Acetone
- Using 20% Hydrogen Peroxide
We will get into the details of each of these methods, but first, let’s try to understand a few things first;
Granite Countertops
Granite is a natural stone that is formed over millions of years. It is made up of interlocking crystals that give it its unique look.
Granite countertops are very popular because they are durable and have a high resistance to heat and scratches. However, one downside to granite countertops is that they are somewhat porous.
This means that they can absorb liquids and stains if they are not sealed properly. Therefore, it is important to take extra care of your granite countertops and clean them regularly.
This way, you can avoid any permanent damage that might be caused by spills and stains.
Ink Stains On Granite Countertops
Ink stains can be very difficult to remove, especially from porous surfaces like granite. Ink is made up of tiny particles that can easily become embedded in the pores of granite.
There are different types of inks, and each type has a different level of difficulty when it comes to removing stains. Water-based inks are the easiest to remove, while oil-based inks are the most difficult.
Dye-based inks are somewhere in between, but they can still be tricky to get out.
The good news is that there are a few different ways that you can remove ink stains from granite countertops. In this guide, I will walk you through three of the most effective methods.
How To Remove Ink Stains From Granite Countertops
Now that we know a little bit more about granite and ink stains let’s get into the nitty-gritty of how to remove them.
As I said before, there are three main methods that you can use:
- Using a Commercial Poultice Powder
- Using Home-made Poultice From Acetone
- Using 20% Hydrogen Peroxide
Let’s take a closer look at each of these methods:
Method One – Using a Commercial Poultice
This is probably the easiest and most effective way to remove ink stains from granite countertops
.All you need is a commercial poultice powder and some water. Some of these poultices can also come already mixed.
These commercial cleaners are made to remove all kinds of stains from granite and other natural stone countertops, including the most difficult and set-in ink stains.
They work by gradually absorbing the stain into the powder, which can then be rinsed or scraped away.
There are a few commercial poultice powders on the market, but the one that is my personal go-to is the one by Stone Care International.
To use a commercial poultice powder, here are the steps to follow;
Step One:
- Simply mix it with water according to the instructions on the package.
- Usually, you want to mix it until you get a peanut butter-like consistency.
- If the product you chose already came mixed, jump to the next step.
Step Two:
- Next, apply the commercial poultice to the stained area.
- Make sure to apply a fairly thick paste.
- Also, you want to make sure the ink stain is completely covered by the poultice.
Step Three:
- Now, cover the application with plastic wrap and tape off the edges using masking tape.
- Use a pin or toothpick to poke some holes in the plastic wrap.
- This will allow the poultice to dry and do its job while still being protected from outside elements.
Step Four:
- Leave the poultice application overnight or for at least 12 hours.
- The longer it stays on, the better chance it has of removing the ink stain completely.
Step Five:
- Once the time is up, remove the plastic wrap and then scrape off the poultice paste using a putty knife or a plastic scraper.
- Wash and rinse the area with mild dish soap and water to remove any leftover residue.
And that’s it! Your granite countertop should now be ink-free.
Method Two – Using Homemade Poultice From Acetone
If you don’t have a commercial poultice powder on hand, you can make your own poultice using acetone and flour.
But make sure you get acetone from the beauty supply store and not regular nail polish, as the latter can damage your granite countertop.
This method is also suitable for removing other kinds of stains from granite, not just ink stains.
The homemade poultice from acetone is also good for deep-seated ink stains, but you will have to apply it more than once to get the best results.
The flour component in this poultice recipe helps to absorb the stain while the acetone breaks it down.
If you do not have flour, you can use tissue paper soaked in acetone instead.
I will recommend using the homemade poultice method on dark-colored granite or natural stone countertops. Here’s how you can make your own homemade poultice from acetone and flour;
Step One:
- In a small bowl, mix together one part flour with one part acetone until you get a smooth paste.
- If the mixture is too thick, add a little more acetone. And if it’s too runny, add a little more flour.
- If you do not have flour, you can use 8-10 layers of tissue paper soaked in acetone instead.
Step Two:
- Next, apply the homemade poultice to the affected area using a putty knife or your fingers.
- Make sure to apply a thick layer and that the ink stain is completely covered.
- If you’re using tissue paper, place the soaked-up paper directly over the ink stain.
Step Three:
- Now, cover the application with plastic wrap and tape off the edges using masking tape.
- For the flour acetone poultice, use a pin or toothpick to poke some holes in the plastic wrap so that the poultice is able to dry and absorb the ink stain faster.
Step Four:
- Now allow the acetone poultice application to sit on the ink stains for about 12 to 48 hours, depending on how deep or large the ink stain is.
Step Five:
- After the time is up, remove the plastic wrap and then scrape off the poultice paste using a putty knife or a plastic scraper.
- If you’re using tissue paper, just peel it off.
Step Six:
- Wash and rinse the area with mild dish soap and water to remove any leftover residue.
- You can also use your daily granite countertop cleaner to thoroughly remove the poultice and give your countertop a good shine.
And there you have it! Your granite countertop should now be free of ink stains.
Method Three – Using 20% Hydrogen Peroxide
Another awesome remedy for removing ink stains from granite countertops is hydrogen peroxide.
This method works well on light-colored granite countertop surfaces.
Just make sure you get 20% hydrogen peroxide from beauty supply shops and not the ones from the drug store, as they contain a lower concentration of hydrogen peroxide (usually 3%) and might not work as well.
For this method, you can simply use the 20% hydrogen peroxide to wipe the ink stain or use the tissue paper poultice method.
Let’s get into the details on how to use 20% hydrogen peroxide to remove ink stains from your granite countertop.
Step One:
- Start by pouring some 20% hydrogen peroxide onto a clean cloth or paper towel.
Step Two:
- Then, use the soaked cloth or paper towel to wipe the ink stain on your granite countertop in a circular motion.
Step Three:
- If the ink stain is still visible, pour some more 20% hydrogen peroxide onto a new clean cloth or paper towel and repeat the process until the ink stain is gone.
Step Four:
- Once you’re satisfied with the results, wash and rinse off the area with granite cleaner or mild dish soap and some warm water
- Dry it with a clean towel, and voila!
Tips On How To Prevent Ink Stain On Granite Countertops
Here are a few tips on how you can prevent ink stains from happening on your granite countertops;
- First of all, you or your kid should keep all the creative projects at the kitchen table and not on the countertop.
- Second, if you must use the countertop for your project, make sure to cover it with a plastic sheet or newspaper first.
- Third, always have a granite cleaner or some mild dish soap and water handy to wipe up any spills immediately.
- And fourth, teach your kids not to play with pens and markers near the countertop.
- Seal your granite countertop regularly to make it more resistant to stains, scratches, and water damage.
- You should seal your granite countertop at least once every year for the best results.
- Lastly, don’t forget to enjoy your creative projects with your kids!
Final Thoughts
We hope you found this guide helpful and that it will help you keep your granite countertops looking as good as new for years to come!
As you can see, removing ink stains from your granite shouldn’t be too difficult as long as you act quickly and use the right method.
With a little bit of elbow grease and the right ingredients, you can easily get rid of pesky ink stains in no time.