Does granite really stain easily?

17 years ago

I know that granite is pourous and that it needs to be kept sealed. However, we just had our Giallo Ornamental granite installed a week ago and already it seems to be getting stained. For instance, we made creamed spinach and there are small green dots from it that I can't get up (with soap and water). I am going to buy granite cleaner tomorrow but am quite concerned if the granite stains this easily. Any info or advice? Thank you!

Featured Answer

karena_2009

17 years ago

I performed an experiment on the granite that I will be getting called Blanco Leblon, AKA bianco romano where I poured olive oil and red wine over the top of it. By the way, it was already sealed at the quarry with a sealer called Sensa.

The wine spilled down the side and onto the back of the granite and it really stained the sample badly. It essentially turned pretty purplish and I did use soap and water and completely rinsed the whole sample. It remained purplish. The olive oil didn't nearly have that effect. Obviously, I didn't try creamed spinach, so I can't comment one way or the other.

I would get it sealed as soon as possible. I'm wondering why didn't the installers seal it? Isn't that normal operating procedure when getting granite or is that up to the home owner?

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Comments (10)

amw33629
Original Author
17 years ago
It should already be sealed - that's why I'm so concerned and wondering if it's properly sealed does it still stain rather easily?
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User
17 years ago
We have giallo ornamental too. Some porous granites like GO need to be sealed more than once, I learned that on this forum, I sealed mine 3 times.
amw33629
Original Author
17 years ago
roseabbey - thank you. So you sealed it 3 times in a row? Can you over-seal it? Did it help a lot? How did your realize it still needed more sealant?
User
17 years ago
I sealed it twice before we moved in about 1 week apart. Then when we moved in and began using the kitchen, I noticed that the water especially around the faucet and sink was not beading up, so I sealed everything again and looks like it is good for now. I use a clean/sealer also periodically. I dont think you can over seal it, you can tell if the granite is sealed if it isnt darkening when you put apply the sealer.
boxerpups
17 years ago
Hi amw33629,

I am so sorry your granite is showing stains.

Granite does stain. And the worst culprits are
red wine, tomato juice, olive oil (all oils)
grape juice, lemon, lime... Basically anything acidic.

My installer told me before I used my granite, I needed
to wash it, let it dry for at least 6 hours and seal it.
I used a sealer from Home Depot. Even though it was
sealed at the shop it still needed to be sealed in
my home.

After the sealer was applied I needed to let it sit
for 10 minutes and wipe it down. Wait half hour and repeat.
The sealer has been great so far. I have a busy
active house with hungry people leaving messes about.

I would call your installer to find out what you
can do. Good luck.

~boxerpups
dborcky7
11 years ago
I just had my Giallo ornamental installed three days ago. I watched the installer spray a sealer on it and we did not use the counters till yesterday. my son spilled some ice tea on it and I'm not sure how long it sat there but I noticed it seemed a little darker. my husband says I'm losing it. but if drinks are spilled will they dry out?
kevdp4
11 years ago
Some stones are more porous than others and require more sealer applications. Applications should be done 24 hours or more apart and repeated until the stone does not darken during applications. Once properly sealed maintenance is very easy. Test by setting a wet rag on the stone for ten minutes, if the stone darkens it needs to be resealed.
maggiewp
9 years ago
What kind of sealers are folks using? I am very disappointed in my brand new giallo ornamental. It leaves water marks after a two minute water test, and it is very pitted and gritty AND has what looks like some manmade circular scratches (from improper polishing?)
User
9 years ago
My new granite has two stains from where the workers left some sticky substance which I removed with my fingernail the day we moved in here (new home). I have noticed that the stain which were barely noticeable at first now are darkening in color (yellowish). I also noticed under my toaster oven where drips gather there is a faint yellow mark as I didn't wipe it down immediately (but it is faint in color). I have never had this issue with granite before. Is there anything I can do?