In its July 2011 edition, Consumer Reports reviews the resilience and durability of the top countertop materials, giving the highest marks to granite and quartz. One of the metrics examined was how stain resistant the material is--and which stains were the hardest to remove. For a summary of the findings, read on.
According to Consumer Reports test of 20 types of common stains, food coloring and permanent marker were the toughest stains to remove. In the test, the Consumer Reports lab applied 20 stains and let them stand overnight before cleaning.
Laminate, concrete (with topical sealer) and varnished butcher block were the most stain resistant. Bamboo, limestone and oil-rubbed butcher block were among the least stain resistant.
Breakdown of the biggest stain offenders by countertop type:
• Tile: Food coloring, crayon, ink, permanent marker, rust
• Concrete (with penetrating sealer): Food coloring, hot oil, permanent marker, shoe polish
• Paper composite: Drain cleaner, permanent marker, rust
• Marble: Food coloring, shoe polish
• Stainless steel: Drain cleaner, tarnish remover
• Recycled glass: Food coloring
Check out the full article: Consumer Reports
Images: Dick Blick; JeeYeun’s Color Strategies.
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Comments (10)
Most stains come out with like-materials. Sharpie - rubbing alcohol; red wine - white wine (or vinegar); oil based material like shoe polish - corn or mineral oil. And if in doubt, bring out the big guns: pure Ivory soap.
I removed permanent ink (Sharpie) from concrete with a spray of bleach water topped by a liberal sprinkle of baking soda, topped by more bleach water......cover with plastic wrap, leave overnight, remove the plastic in the morning, allow to dry completely and scrape off with a plastic scraper......VOILA! marker completely gone. Try it...it really works.
I work in a bakery and found that buttercream will take Sharpie out of a lot of things, including textiles.
Dry erase marker will also get permanent marker off of smooth surfaces. Although dry erase can stain a few things also, so test it first to make sure it will wipe off. Just color over the permanent marker spot with the dry erase and wipe it away!
Recycled glass countertops: add water rings to the biggest offender list. Tip: find an organic, lemon-based cleaner and wipe the glass 1xper day with this.
Are those little bottles food colouring? When my mother died we found some in the pantry my brother had bought her for Mothers' Day when he was 8... he's 58 now!
Hairspray takes permanent marker off of a dry erase board - not sure if it would work for countertop, but probably worth a try! Just spray, scrub with a cloth, and then wash with lots of soapy water.
No mention of granite? What kinds of stains should I be wary of?
It also doesn't mention the icky laminate countertops we have in this rental. You know what stains them? EVERYTHING.
I'm with you craftyashley...I think if ANYTHING sits on there for more than 1.5 seconds, it leaves a stain. Maybe I'll try bleaching/baking powdering the whole thing.