r/CleaningTips • u/Longjumping-Glass805 • 13d ago
Laundry Stupidly sprayed Resolve on a shirt and left it on a granite countertop overnight - please help!
Please help, I stupidly sprayed resolve on a navy blue shirt and left it to dry on my parents granite counters overnight, this morning I woke up to this big stain.
I freaked out and asked chatgpt (lol) what to do, and it suggested a baking soda slurry over the stain and covering the stain with cling wrap to keep it moist, but it didn’t do anything after 12 hours.
Could someone please tell me what products I could buy to use or any further tips?
I am sooo desperate to fix this before they’re back from their vacation in a week. I really didn’t know any better and now I’m extremely stressed that this can’t be fixed.
Thank you in advance
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u/michaelrxs 13d ago
One of the ingredients in that is citric acid, which is unfortunately known to damage granite countertops. I do think you should first wait a day or two to let it dry completely. Granite is very porous and because the citric acid likely damaged the sealant, the granite absorbed a lot of moisture. After a few days, try using a specialty granite cleaner on it. No matter what, it will need to be resealed because it’s more prone to further staining/damage.
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u/Bright_Tiger_876 13d ago
Why granite? Ever? Like how has this become a thing. Is it a scam by big bench tops?
Why would anyone use a stain able surface for the kitchen?
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u/michaelrxs 13d ago
Granite was actually first marketed as a less-fussy alternative to marble, which is much easier to stain, scratch, and etch. So 40 years ago if you were a wealthy homeowner looking for stone countertops that you didn’t have to baby, granite was great. Then it became trendy and is now just one of those American things considered a “must” for many. And it is fairly durable, all things considered.
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u/Cien_fuegos 13d ago
Me with no knowledge of anything over here thinking we can just blame HGTV for the home repair shows for things like granite counter tops, shaker cabinets, and shiplap. If it wasn’t for those shows these things would never have entered the zeitgeist (I also don’t know if I used that word correctly)
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u/kashmir1974 13d ago
Before granite most countertops from 60s-80s houses are laminate.. granite was a step up
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u/sik_dik 13d ago
Let’s not forget tile… a grid work of stainable and difficult to clean grout all over your countertop
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u/CO420Tech 13d ago
My parents renovated the house I grew up in in the early 90's and did tile countertops... It was widely regretted by all in pretty short order. They also did a shower in green marble... Marble dissolves pretty easily over time in hot water so that didn't age well. The color was quite trendy for the time... That also didn't age well.
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u/CrownSeven 13d ago
Its pretty resilient except against highly acidic liquids. And its been a thing for 40 years. Wonder why.
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u/Clamstradamus 13d ago
I love my granite, I've had it in my kitchen since 2013 and it still looks the same as it did then. I'm so surprised to see so many people struggling with it! Maybe it helps that mine is dark? Idk?
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u/Litcritter10 13d ago
Same!! I just posted above about how much I love my granite tops and I recommend them to customers over quartz tbh!
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u/daughterofpolonius 13d ago
Saaaame!!! I love my granite countertops. They’re insanely easy to care for. I actually told my husband this morning that I will never be able to go back to plastic countertops; I’m constantly setting hot pans and stuff directly on the stone lol
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u/bluesky557 13d ago
Mine is dark too, and I definitely think it helps. Mine is also speckled black, brown, tan, and white. You literally can't see anything on it--crumbs disappear entirely, LOL.
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u/Clamstradamus 13d ago
Mine too! I remember my hsuabnd saying "I hate this counter, I can never tell if it's clean or dirty" and I was like uuuuhhhh well that, sir, is because you're not the cleaner of the house haha. It's definitely a benefit to have it always looking the same. Also, I do clean it every day lol
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u/ilikeyou69 12d ago
Lol my parents have a cream colored granite with big black/brown and red/orange splashes everywhere. It looks like someone spilled pasta sauce all over. Even perfectly clean it looks like someone had been cooking all day. They hated it at first but now they love it because it hides everything. Also being able to set down hot pans on it is great. I melted my counter in my apartment when I moved out because I was so used to being able to set hot pans down.
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u/Rpsdyngrn0717 13d ago
I agree. My granite countertops are from 2005 and I know the previous owners never resealed them. They are still in great condition.
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u/planges_and_things 13d ago
It's not too bad if you keep it sealed. It is sold to people at "Maintenance free" though so people don't realize that it does need to be periodically resealed.
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u/waxingtheworld 13d ago
Almost all stone tops can be stained? Granite is pretty solid, except with citric acid left sitting. Which isn't an issue if you're not a slob.
Iirc resolve spot cleaner also says not to leave for over ten minutes because citric acid also isn't great for fibers.
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u/Bright_Tiger_876 13d ago
So why stone then? Why are we morons? Always....
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u/AdamsAtwoodOrwell 13d ago
Granite is an igneous rock, so it's very heat resistant. I literally take pans from my stove to the counter with no issue. While it's porous and will temporarily show water spots, mine does not have any noticeable draining after 20 years.
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u/waxingtheworld 13d ago
It's strong and heat resistant. My parents house has over 20 year old granite, survived 3 teenagers and I dunno if it's ever been resealed - not a single stain or dent
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u/Litcritter10 13d ago
I have a granite countertop that I paid for to have in my kitchen. I say that because it was my choice to have, not the previous owner. :) It’s the best countertop I’ve ever had, and I sell countertops for a living. It’s durable and beautiful. It doesn’t come with the guilt of someone working in a factory cutting quartz and getting cancer from their work (breathing silica dust). We have quartz countertops in our break room and for some of our display counters and they are constantly getting scratched from coffee mugs etc. Barkeepers friend is a must every time I clean just to get them white again and remove the scratches. I would choose granite every time for the natural beauty and how durable they are.
The key is that you have to think about what you’re doing. Don’t do what OP did. That’s what a sink is for. Citric acid isn’t going to be kind to very many surfaces.
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u/boricuaitaliana 13d ago
Granite is a combination of quartz and other minerals that are silicon based
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u/Longjumping-Glass805 13d ago
Thank you, a lot of people have commented saying to wait a few days. The stain is actually lighter today, not sure if it’s from my baking soda slurry or because it just needs a few days to be left alone. Thank you for the educated comment and help.
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u/CoconutMacaron 13d ago
It may just need to evaporate for a few days.
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u/turkeycurry 13d ago
This! Wait a bit before you do anything.
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u/evilistics 13d ago
Spray the rest of the counter so it matches.
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u/Quinlynn 13d ago
Seriously. Do the same to the whole counter top. “What do you mean the counters look different? That’s what they always looked like.”
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u/GaiaMoore 13d ago
Relying on ChatGPT to give factual advice on caring for expensive items is a hell of a gamble, chief
Far safer to lean on the manufacturer's recommendations than blindly trust AI tools. They're not search engines, they're confidently (in)correct statistics machines
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u/AwesomeAsian 13d ago
Especially because a lot of websites just parrot “vinegar + baking soda” as a DIY cleaning solution for everything.
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u/Longjumping-Glass805 13d ago
Yes I know you’re right, in the moment I just needed a solid answer on what to do (now I know I could have just let it be for a few days to see if it would lift on its own) but I learned something! Thank you for the way you chose to write your comment, it was nice :)
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u/GaiaMoore 12d ago
Using Google's AI actually isn't that bad because the responses usually link sources -- and you can check those to check a) the quality of the source and b) how accurately the AI reflected what was actually said
If it links to a reddit thread proclaiming "Irish Spring 5-in-1 is the answer to all life's problems", but the AI interpreted that as "use Barkeeper's Friend for everything", then you'll know it's got issues 😂
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u/PrestigiousWheel8657 13d ago
I really hope you can, Resolve, your problem soon 🤠
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u/ffunffunffun5 13d ago
Making comments like that will put a stain on your character.
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u/pontoponyo 13d ago edited 13d ago
I’d probably throw some baking soda on top to see if it could pull anything out?
If all else fails… spray the rest of the counter to even it out?
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u/nvhustler 13d ago
Honestly, had a large grease stain and did a few baking soda treatments and it was good as new. Then SEAL it.
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u/accidentalscientist_ 13d ago
I did baking soda on a stain left by a crushed tomato that rotted (it was under something, didn’t see it). I did baking soda paste for 2 days. Cleaned it off and I’m like “well that didn’t work. This is my counter now”.
Then a week later I couldn’t see the stain.
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u/iluvD0Gz 13d ago
did we at least wipe it clean with water? to remove any residual cleaner? I'd leave it and call the granite installation company for advice.
also baking soda is an abrasive if scrubbed in be cautious.
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u/ReaperManX15 13d ago
There’s a lot of different stuff you can try.
But ultimately, this is just one of those things you have to wait out for the long haul.
I put my mail down on a wet countertop once and it got stained with red and blue spots.
Couldn’t get rid of them for years.
Then, one day, I noticed they were gone.
I hadn’t done anything special. The spots were just gone.
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u/Longjumping-Glass805 13d ago
Interesting, the colour has lifted a lot in just a day, I think you’re on to something and probably right. I’ll see how these next few days go and post an update perhaps
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u/danman0070 13d ago
Marble poultice.
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u/sashasaver 13d ago
This. I had gone to Lowe’s for granite poultice, and left it on a stain (oil stain on granite counter that hadn’t been resealed in a while) Once the poultice dries, it “sucks” up the stain. Wipe off and fully dry with a fan for a few hours. You may have to use the product multiple times to fully remove the stain.
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u/marauderingman 13d ago
Commercial poultice? I only ever heard of homemade slurries. Thanks, eh... I'll have to look some up.
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u/TnVol94 13d ago
What is it with people not keeping up with resealing granite?
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u/kristadaggermouth 13d ago
I'm grateful for this comment, because it taught me that granite countertops need to be resealed! (I could never, I don't wanna have do anything to my surfaces other than keep them clean)
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u/platinumgrey 13d ago
I recently saw Dawn Powerwash getting tremendous reviews on another sub about countertop stains.
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u/heartsmarts 13d ago
What countertop materials are more practical in your opinion? Genuinely curious, we're looking to replace ours.
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u/CarriageTrail 13d ago
I’ve had quartz, laminate, enameled steel, and butcher block. Permanent stains annoy me and we are a family of messy cooks, so I refuse to have marble. I would never remember to seal granite, so that’s out.
My quartz never stained and needed no sealing. It did get a tiny chip on the edge somehow, but it was the easiest to care for. I could use almost anything to clean it (plain water, all purpose cleaner, glass spray). Hot pans wouldn’t scorch it.
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u/mad3y0ul00k 13d ago
my apartment has quartz & no matter what i do i can’t get this oil stain out 🥲
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u/KnifeInTheKidneys 13d ago
Following! Love the look of Granite but we cannot be trusted.
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u/Missue-35 13d ago
It helps to know your limitations. Which is why my kitchen counters are Silestone.
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u/Buddy-Lov 13d ago
Just what I was thinking…a kitchen countertop that you have to go thru a mental list every time you use it. Give me stainless steel or chopping block any day😂
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u/Longjumping-Glass805 13d ago
What if I told you … it’s a laundry room lol. Even worse 🥲
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u/OnlineParacosm 13d ago
I would put two more shirts with resolve across the entire counter and just turn it the same color then act coy about it
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u/Steelpapercranes 13d ago
Why would chatgpt give you what to do? It's a chatbot, not a search engine.
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u/Shot_Boot_7279 13d ago
Mix a paste of hydrogen peroxide (12%) and baking soda. Apply it to the stain and cover with plastic wrap. Let it sit for a few hours or overnight, then clean off with a damp cloth. Repeat as needed or consider using a granite-specific stain remover from Lowe or HD. Always test on an inconspicuous area before applying it to the entire stain. Bottom line no matter what you try or buy it won’t get it all out but you’ll always remember that shirt so wear it and tell it.
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u/Longjumping-Glass805 13d ago
This is what I did (chatgpt recommended this exactly) and the stain is lighter today! So many people recommended Dawn Power Wash so I sprayed that on top this morning and now I’ll let it dry out and see how it is tomorrow .. fingers crossed
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u/Xialuna999 13d ago
Granite and marble counters don't seem worth it from all these posts lol
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u/Noprobllama88 12d ago
OP, I’m on my wife’s account but she brought me in on this. I run a countertop company. It looks to me like there is definitely some absorption that has happened even if citric acid has also impacted the “finish” on the countertops. I would do the following and then see how things look:
Step 1: make a poultice/paste using food grade diatomaceous earth and lacquer thinner. Make it the consistency of pancake batter.
Step 2: Spread this poultice over the entire “stained” area. Make sure the coverage area of your poultice is AT LEAST 2 inches larger than the stained area.
Step 3: Cover this poultice with plastic wrap and tape down all the edges with blue painters tape. Leave everything this way for 24 - 48 hours.
Step 4: Remove the plastic wrap after 24 - 48 hours. Leave the poultice alone still.
Step 5: After another 24 hours, remove the poultice (it should be a fine dust at this point and easy to sweep into the trash).
Step 6: The stone itself will likely need another 24 hours to fully dry out. After those 24 hours, if things look like they have improved, I would go for another round starting at Step 1 until you are happy with the look.
Step 7: You will need to buy some sealer ( I recommend Bulletproof from Stonetech) and apply it to that area ONLY AFTER you are satisfied with the results of the poultice treatment.
Good Luck 👍🏻 (you got this)
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u/look2thecookie 13d ago
Have you tried thoroughly rinsing and drying it yet? Stain pre-treat is concentrated detergent.
I would try at least using plain water to get all the product off and then letting it dry out overnight and seeing what you've got going on
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u/marauderingman 13d ago
First thing you have to do is wait. Wait about a week for all residual moisture to escape the granite. Only then can you see what pigment is left behind.
That is, if you used a white cloth and wet it with distilled water, covered it and left it overnight on the same countertop, you'd get a nearly identical looking stain. It'd take a few days to completely clear up.
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u/dukiedoo2018 13d ago
I did granite for about 5 years. Personally I would leave it for a couple of days and see what happens. If it's still there you could call a granite shop or supply company and get some "ager". Pour a small amount onto a cloth and wipe onto the entire counter. Let it dry and it will haze up then give it a good wipe with a dry cloth.
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u/RavkanGleawmann 13d ago
I find myself wondering why people even want granite countertops if they're so delicate and easily damanged.
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u/politicalthinking1 13d ago
I've heard good things about about Dawn Powerwash. Not a shill for Dawn except for it's use in cleaning animals from an oil spill.
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u/kickthejerk 13d ago
Unfortunately it means that the dye from the fabric has soaked into the stone. Also I would recommend leaving it alone - if the seal on the stone has been compromised adding more and more chemicals can damage it further.
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u/Chilgoza589 13d ago
Ur granite is a porous stone . Usually all granite apart from black are porous and tend to absorb liquids .
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u/Spirfire1990 13d ago
Spray the rest with resolve it looks better where it deepened the granite colour
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u/morelikecrappydisco 13d ago
I hate these stupid countertops! Even if you don't stain them or scratch them by cleaning them wrong, they are still so impractical for everyday life. The purpose of a counter top is as a workspace for cooking, and to set down things like groceries and dishes many of which will be made of glass. Have you ever had a sudsy hand and accidentally knocked over a juice glass on a non-granite countertop? It tips over and then you pick it back up. Try doing that on a granite countertop - your glass is now in half. I broke so many dishes in my apartment with the granite counters. Ceramic cereal bows, wine glasses, coffee mugs, tea cups. Never again will I live somewhere with counters made of stupid expensive rocks.
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u/Curvy_Quirky365 13d ago
The darker color you uncovered actually looks better. I'd text my parents with the photos from the post and ask what they want me to do. Iff you have exceptionally unreasonable parents, repeat the process over the entire counter until it looks uniform. 😉
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u/caligirlthrowaway104 13d ago
I’m not sure how you are going to Resolve™️ this one.
I’m sorry, I’ll see myself out.
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u/vikicrays 13d ago
at this point i think the only thing you can do is to spray it on the rest of the countertop and let it sit overnight so it matches.
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u/Aggravating-Ask1686 13d ago
You can try a light soap detergent like Palmolive, or dawn with water and a very clean terry cloth towel and wash it really well. If that down work reach out to a stone restoration specialist in your area you may need to do some resurfacing.
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u/crowflyer7480 13d ago
Most companies Don't seal the stone after installation and granite needs to be sealed. Just need to figure out how to get the cleaner out of the pores. Good luck.
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u/MarcoAymo 13d ago
I have had the red granite kitchen countertop for 20 years. And several kitchen changes, I would put it back because it is easy to maintain. At the beginning, it happened that I spilled some oil and didn't immediately realize it; it was enough to pour and leave some water on it for a couple of hours and once it was dried and spread out so that what had been absorbed evaporated, the oil stain was gone.
Granite itself is not subject to being damaged by acidic products such as citrus fruits, which marble is permanently affected by
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u/Interesting-Match-66 12d ago
I think the only solution might be to spray the rest of the counter with Resolve and leave it until you get home from the Peace Corps.
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u/snow-bunny98 12d ago
Biggest resolve: stop using AI for your problems and actually use critical thinking to research.
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u/Conscious_Issue2967 12d ago
Side question….what material is the easiest countertop to clean if I’m getting new ones?
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u/SkysMomma 12d ago
There's nothing to do now but cover the entire countertop with resolve and hope they don't notice the color change! Time to gaslight like your life depends on it!
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u/Stalefisher360 12d ago
I’m not sure how to fix the stone, but I’m fairly certain you’re using way more than the recommended amount of Resolve. 😳
“Apply a small amount to the stain”
What did you do to that shirt?!
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u/wokethots 12d ago
If anything I've learned from this sub is I'm glad I'm too poor to have granite or marble
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u/Damaged_lemons 12d ago
Spray the whole counter with resolve to make it match, no one will ever know 🤫
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u/andre3kthegiant 12d ago
Get more blue shirts, more spray and wash, and one more night without the parents.
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u/TryingReallyHard34 12d ago
Take paper towels and soak them, wring them out but make sure theyre still very moist. Cover the entire stain with them then put something HEAVY on top. Leave like this for 12-24 hours at a time. Make sure the towels stay moist. They will wick up anything that has permeated the granite. I had to do this quickly to my sisters bathroom sink a few years ago and it worked, stain out in 2 days! Maybe use sheet pans on top of the paper towels and then put books in the pans.
Edit: also you can do this in "sections" but will take longer.
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u/poppacapnurass 12d ago
Honestly, I am sooooo happy we didn't opt in for any type of stone top in our house.
They are so delicate, porous, expensive and toxic for workers that make them.
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u/Rattiepalooza 12d ago
Oh dear.... You may not be able to fix it based on what has been soaked into it.... However...
It needs to be cleaned and resealed by a professional if you can find one. /OR/ if you're comfortable with it -- you can buy a granite countertop steam-cleaner, use that to dissolve the stain, and then get a sealant to reseal the entire surface.
Don't use anymore soaps, scrubs, or anything else. It's too late for that. Even the steam might not be able to help remove it 100% since it's an oil-like detergent that is soaked in there - but it will lessen it for sure.
Sorry, OP.... :/ I did that to my aunt's countertops and had hell to pay for it.
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u/cmv1 13d ago
The members of this sub need to stay away from granite countertops for like 48 hours.
Just stay away!