What Can I Do About Soap Stains on My Granite?
In just about every household where granite is installed, there’s a chance of soap stains occasionally forming. Floor tiles, countertops, and vertical panels, particularly in kitchens and bathrooms, are bound to be exposed to soap. When you consider the ingredients used in the manufacturing of modern soap, it’s not surprising to learn of their potential to leave stains on granite. In addition to oils, fats, and sodium hydroxide, soap may contain pigments, acids, and scents that can increase the likelihood of staining. For the most part, soap stains aren’t difficult to remove from granite tiles or slabs. We’re talking about stains that mostly adhere to the surface and not those that have penetrated the pores and caused a chemical reaction, a process known as etching. Here’s what you should know about granite and soap stains.
Soap Residue on Granite Shower Walls
That waxy buildup you find on your shower walls can be prevented by drying the walls off after each use with a squeegee tool. Likewise, you can scrub the walls down with Granite Gold Shower Cleaner® and a non-scratch scour pad such as Granite Gold Scrub Sponge®. If the soap scum is heavy, take a new single-edge razor blade and shave the material off the stone with the flat side of the blade. The razor will not harm natural stone. Want to learn how to clean bathroom and shower tile made of granite or another type of natural stone? Watch this brief yet informative video:
Soap Rings on Granite Countertops
This is more likely to happen in the kitchen and bathrooms, especially on slab sections near the sink. Soap rings tend to be fairly common, but homeowners can easily prevent them by making sure they wipe down under the soap dish or container each time they clean. If you’re not sure how to clean granite properly, using Granite Gold Daily Cleaner® and scrubbing with a soft, stone safe pad will often remove a soap ring. If that doesn’t work, follow the same instructions above for heavy soap scum in the shower.
Stains Left by Oily Soaps
The essential oils found in specialty soaps feel great on the skin, but they’re prone to staining granite surfaces. To deal with these greasy stains, mix baking soda and a few drops of acetone to make a paste that should cover the spot and be left for 24 hours, then rinse with water and reseal the stone.
Prevent Soap Stains
The cleaning recommendations above can be avoided if you keep a strong seal on your granite. If you notice soap stains forming a month after you apply sealant, you may want to increase the frequency of sealing to every two to three weeks. It’s not possible to over-seal stone, so you can seal your granite as often as you’d like. If you have granite, slate, marble, travertine, or another type of natural stone in your home, make sure to care for it properly to prevent staining and other damage. If you need stone-safe cleaning, sealing, and polishing products, Granite Gold® has everything you need to keep the stone in your home looking amazing for years to come. Check our Store Locator to find our products at a store near you, and feel free to give us a call at 1-800-475-STONE (7866) if you have any questions.