How to Clean Oil from Granite Countertops

Co-authored by Regina DeCorte and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: October 5, 2022

Granite countertops are a beautiful addition to any home, so it can be really frustrating when an oil stain mucks up the surface. Before you resort to elbow grease, look around for some baking soda and other cleaning supplies. It doesn’t take long to care for your countertop with a natural cleaner, which may help your granite look more polished and beautiful.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using Baking Soda

1
Soak up the excess oil with a paper towel. Blot as much oil as you can so the countertop is easier to clean. Try to do this as soon as possible, so the oil doesn’t have as much time to stick and stain the counter.^{[1]
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2
Stir a small scoop of baking soda with a spoonful of water until a paste forms. Spoon your desired amount of baking soda into a small bowl, this mix in a small spoonful of water until a paste forms. You don’t need to use an exact amount of either ingredient—just make enough paste to completely coat the oil stain on your counter.^{[2]
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- For instance, if the stain is about the size of a grape, you may only need 1 tbsp (14.4 g) or so of baking soda, along with 1 tsp (4.9 mL) of water. A larger spill may need ¼ cup (45 g) of baking soda and 1 US tbsp (15 mL) of water.
- Experiment with different ratios until you get a paste! You probably won’t need a lot of water for this.
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3
Spoon the paste over the entire stain. Spread a thick layer of baking soda over the oil. Do your best to cover the entire stain, so the cleaner can be as effective as possible. Feel free to make more paste if you don’t have enough at first!^{[3]
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4
Tape a large section of plastic wrap over the paste. Rip off a section of plastic wrap that’s large enough to cover all of the baking soda. Take a few strips of masking tape and secure them along the sides of the wrap to hold it in place.^{[4]
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- If you don’t have plastic wrap, any kind of wax or parchment paper can work in a pinch.
5
Let the baking soda sit for 24 hours. Give the paste a day to soak into the oil stain, then remove the plastic wrap from the countertop. If you want to be extra safe, let the paste sit for several days.^{[5]
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- If the stain is really bad, you may want to leave the paste in place for up to 3 days.
6
Rinse off the baking soda paste with cool water and a clean cloth. Soak a soft cloth in water and wipe off the paste. At this point, double-check to make sure that the oil stain is completely gone.^{[6]
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- If the stain is still visible, make a new batch of baking soda paste and wrap it up with plastic wrap for 2-3 days.
7
Dry off the counter with a towel. Use a microfiber cloth or soft towel to wipe away any water or baking soda leftover on the counter. Once your counters are dry and clean, you can get back to business in your kitchen!^{[7]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Keeping the Counter Clean on a Regular Basis

1
Clean up spills as soon as they occur. Don’t be discouraged if you accidentally spill something on your granite countertop. Instead, use a paper towel or soft cloth to wipe up the stain as quickly as possible. If you don’t take care of a spill right away, it may be harder to clean up later.^{[8]
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2
Soak a soft sponge with water and dish soap. Fill your sink or a small bowl with warm water. Mix in a pea-sized amount of dish soap into the water until you see suds. At this point, dip a soft sponge into the soapy water to get started.^{[9]
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- A microfiber cloth can also work well for this.
- Be sure to wring out the sponge or cloth before you start cleaning.
- Soapy water is a great all-purpose cleaner for granite.
Tip: Try developing a regular cleaning schedule for your granite countertops to keep them in tip-top shape. Whenever you cook or prepare food on your countertops, wipe them down with soapy water immediately after.
3
Wipe down the counter in circular motions. Focus on 1 section of the counter at a time, making sure to clean off the entire surface. Depending on the size of your countertops, this may take several minutes to do.^{[10]
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- Stuck-on food may require a little extra elbow grease to clean off.
4
Dry off the sudsy water with a clean towel. Take a clean cloth and soak up all the soapy water. Once you’ve dried off the surface, double-check that there’s no leftover moisture on the granite, which could result in streaks later on.^{[11]
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- Don’t worry about rinsing off the counter unless you notice obvious soap residue.

Expert Q&A

Question

Can you remove oil stains from granite countertops?

Regina DeCorte
Residential Cleaning Specialist
Regina DeCorte is a Residential Cleaning Specialist and is the Founder of Maid in JC, a home cleaning service based in downtown Jersey City, NJ. With more than eight years of experience, she specializes in cleaning apartments, condos, and townhomes using natural products. Regina and her staff are fully bonded and insured.

Regina DeCorte

Residential Cleaning Specialist

Expert Answer

If the stain has penetrated the surface, you may need to apply WD-40 after cleaning with a paste of water and baking soda. Remove it with a sponge or soft cloth after applying.

Warnings

Don’t use abrasive sponges or steel wool to clean off your granite counter, as they’ll leave scratches.^{[13]
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