[Home Tips] How to quickly remove stubborn stains on kitchen countertops?
🍳 How to Quickly Remove Stubborn Countertop Stains (Hong Kong Version)
Hong Kong kitchens are small, with heavy cooking fumes and countertops exposed to food, grease, and sauces for long periods of time. Over time, these problems can easily occur:
- Oil stains 🛢️
- Coffee/tea stains ☕
- Soy sauce/seasoning traces 🍜
- Knife marks hide dirt 🔪
Stubborn stains not only affect appearance but can also harbor bacteria 🦠, affecting food safety. This time, we'll help you quickly fix them using " material-based cleaning methods + effective stain removal techniques + stain prevention habits ."
1️⃣ First, distinguish the countertop material 🔍
Common kitchen countertop materials in Hong Kong:
- Artificial stone (quartz stone) → durable and waterproof, but afraid of strong acid
- Stainless steel → Antibacterial and waterproof, but easy to leave fingerprints and scratches
- Natural marble/granite → Beautiful, but porous and prone to color seepage
- Wooden countertops → have a strong sense of warmth, but are susceptible to water and oil seepage
💡A word of advice from the editor : Different materials require different cleaning agents, otherwise it will scratch or corrode the surface.
2️⃣ How to quickly remove stubborn stains🧼
Artificial stone/quartz countertops
Suitable for stains : oil stains, coffee stains, soy sauce marks
Cleaning method :
- Use neutral detergent + warm water to wipe away surface oil stains.
- For stubborn stains, apply a baking soda paste (baking soda + a little water) to the stain.
- Let it sit for 5-10 minutes and wipe with a damp cloth.
- Then wipe it clean with clean water and finally wipe it dry.
stainless steel countertops
Suitable for stains : oil stains, scale, fingerprints
Cleaning method :
- Use kitchen paper dipped in white vinegar to wipe away the scale and let it sit for 3-5 minutes.
- Wipe grease stains with kitchen paper dampened with neutral detergent.
- Apply along the direction of the steel grain to avoid scratches.
- Finally, wipe it with a dry cloth and apply a small amount of stainless steel care oil to prevent fingerprints.
Marble/Granite Countertops
Suitable for stains : coffee stains, juice stains
Cleaning method :
- Avoid using acidic cleaners (which can corrode the stone).
- Wipe with a mild detergent diluted in warm water.
- For stubborn stains, cover with baking soda paste, wrap with plastic wrap and let it sit for 10 minutes before wiping it away.
Wooden countertops
Suitable for stains : oil stains, seasoning marks
Cleaning method :
- Gently wipe with a small amount of neutral detergent + warm water (avoid using large amounts of water).
- Stubborn stains can be removed by gently rubbing with lemon slices and salt.
- After patting dry, apply a layer of edible mineral oil for protection.
3️⃣ Hong Kong Common Stains Quick Response Chart 📋
| Stain Type | Recommended method | Precautions |
|---|---|---|
| Oil stains | Detergent, warm water + baking soda paste | Degreasing first and then decontamination |
| Coffee/tea stains | Baking Soda/Hydrogen Peroxide | Natural stone avoids hydrogen peroxide |
| Soy sauce stains | Wet cloth + baking soda paste | Treat as soon as possible to avoid bleeding |
| scale | Apply a cloth soaked in white vinegar for 5 minutes | Avoid using vinegar on natural stone |
4️⃣ Editor's quick cleaning tips⚡
- Treat new stains immediately → The sooner you clean, the easier it is to remove.
- Use a slightly damp cloth instead of a dry cloth → reduces scratches.
- Baking soda paste is versatile → Gently removes dirt without hurting your hands.
- Avoid steel wool → will scratch most materials.
5️⃣ Prevent the habit of re-accumulation of pollutants🛡
- Wipe the countertop immediately after cooking to prevent grease from hardening.
- Use a cutting board to prepare food → Reduce direct contact of the countertop with the sauce.
- Regular deep cleaning (once a week) → Use a special cleaning agent for the corresponding material.
- Keep dry → prevent scale and mold from forming.
📌 Editor's Summary
Want to quickly remove stubborn stains on kitchen countertops:
- Sort by material first (to avoid using the wrong cleaning agent)
- Treat the symptoms (baking soda paste, white vinegar, neutral detergent)
- Treat new stains immediately
- Develop a daily cleaning habit
💬 According to my personal experience, using a paste of baking soda and warm water can remove most oil and coffee stains in just 5 minutes. Wipe stainless steel with a little white vinegar and the scale will instantly disappear✨.
