How To Clean A Black Granite Sink (Step-by-Step Guide)

Kathryn Flegal
by Kathryn Flegal
Granite is a popular high-end material for sinks. While it looks beautiful and luxurious when you buy it, it can be hard to keep it that way. To clean a

Granite is a popular high-end material for sinks. While it looks beautiful and luxurious when you buy it, it can be hard to keep it that way.

To clean a black granite sink, you can use water with soap or vinegar, and gently scrub the surface of the sink. Finish by thoroughly rinsing the sink with warm water, clean water. for tougher stains, you can let sit hydrogen peroxide and a whiting powder for 24 hours and rinse.

In this article, we’ll tell you how to clean small and tougher stains on both pure granite and composite granite sinks.

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Everyday Cleaning for Pure Black Granite Sinks

The process for cleaning a natural granite sink is different based on what you’re trying to clean. Regular maintenance cleaning looks a little different from the process for a tough stain. Here are some tips for day-to-day maintenance on pure granite sinks:

  • Clean the sink with mild dish soap and a wet, soft cloth or sponge.
  • Rinse and dry the sink after each use. This will prevent food and other substances from drying on the surface and leaving stains that are tough to remove. Drying the sink will prevent a white haze from forming on the surface, and protect it from minerals in your tap water.
  • Use something soft, such as a microfiber towel to dry the sink.
  • Since granite is porous, try to be proactive about cleaning stains as soon as possible. Be particularly vigilant about alcohol and citrus stains since they can damage the surface of the granite.
  • Rinse and dry the sink after every use.

White Haze On Black Granite Sinks

When water (usually hard water) evaporates on granite, it leaves behind minerals, such as calcium and lime. They often start as small water spots and gradually turn into a white, chalky-looking haze.

How to Clean White Haze on Pure Black Granite Sinks

It’s understandable to have the occasional instance of white haze, even if you’re typically good about cleaning it. Here’s how to remove it:

  • Rinse the Sink: Rinse the sink with hot water, making sure to wet the entire sink.
  • Scrub with Dish Soap: Put a few drops of mild dish soap onto a non-abrasive scrubbing pad and scrub the white spots.
  • Rinse Again: Rinse the sink thoroughly with warm water to remove all of the dish soap.
  • Dry the Sink: Use a soft cloth to dry the sink.
  • Finish with Oil: Put 1-2 teaspoons of olive oil onto a dry cloth, and wipe the sink. Make sure the whole sink has a thin layer of oil on it.
  • Wipe Excess Oil: Let the oil sit on the sink for 1-2 minutes. Finally, use a clean part of the cloth to rub the excess oil off and admire your clean, shiny sink!

Alternative Method for White Haze on Black Granite Sink

If the above method didn’t work, there are a couple of things you can do for the more persistent white haze. You can either buy a product that’s designed to treat lime and calcium buildup on granite. Or you can try this simple solution with baking powder:

  • Make the Paste: Make a paste using baking soda and a small amount of water.
  • Apply the Paste: Apply some of the paste onto the stain.
  • Scrub the Stain: Scrub the area with a soft-bristled brush.
  • Rinse and Dry: Rinse the sink with freshwater and dry thoroughly with a towel.

How to Clean Tough Stains on Pure Granite

Natural granite is porous, even when it’s properly sealed. When food stains sit on pure granite for too long, they can sink into the surface and are extremely hard to remove. This method requires you to leave a paste in the sink for 24-48 hours. So, this is mostly for really tough spots that you’re desperate to remove.

You will need:

  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Whiting Powder such as powdered caulk, white molding plaster, or talc
  • Plastic Wrap
  • Dry cloth
  • Mix the Paste: Mix whiting powder and hydrogen peroxide to form a thick paste. You should be able to get the exact proportions from the label of the whiting powder.
  • Apply the Paste: Apply a thick layer of the paste to the stain. It should be about ½ inch thick.
  • Cover it Up: Cover the paste with plastic wrap. You can use tape to hold the ends of the plastic wrap down.
  • Let it Sit: For the paste to bring out the stain, it needs to sit in the sink for 24-48 hours.
  • Wipe-Off: Remove the plastic wrap and wipe the paste off with a sponge or a rag.
  • Rinse: Rinse the sink with water and dry off with a dry rag

What’s the Difference Between Granite and Composite Granite?

Sometimes, when people talk about their granite sinks, they mean composite granite. Pure granite and composite granite sinks are two completely different things. The distinction is important since cleaning methods are different for both materials.

Pure Granite

Granite is a naturally occurring rock. To make sinks, pure granite is mined and cut into slabs. Therefore, each piece of granite is unique based on the blend of minerals from the area it was mined. While pure granite is a natural, strong, beautiful material for sinks, it has its drawbacks.

Natural granite is prone to irregularities since it’s mined directly from the earth. This leaves your sink prone to damage unless you properly seal it.

Pure granite can also take a lot of effort to keep clean and prevent mineral deposits, white haze, and other stains. This material can also be expensive. These factors often lead homeowners to consider a similar alternative – granite composite.

What is Composite Granite?

Composite granite is a blend of pure granite and acrylic resins. It’s made out of 95% granite and 5% resin, resulting in a much more durable sink material. It’s also significantly cheaper than pure granite.

Composite granite is still a high-end material but not as high maintenance. It does not require yearly sealing. It only needs to be cleaned with water and soap every few days.

How to Clean Black Granite Composite

While granite composite is more stain-resistant than pure granite, pH-neutral cleaners are still recommended for regular cleaning. Therefore, the dish soap and soft cloth method of cleaning the pure granite sinks also works with granite composite stinks.

Here’s how to remove the tougher stains:

  • Clean the Sink Normally: Clean your sink as normal using dish soap and water, and then dry.
  • Apply Baking Soda: Sprinkle baking soda all over the surface of the sink. Place more in the areas where the stains are.
  • Spray on Vinegar Solution: Combine a 1:1 solution of vinegar and water in a spray bottle, and spray onto the baking soda.
  • Scrub: Using a soft-bristled scrub brush, scrub the cleaning mixture into the sink.
  • Rinse and Dry: Rinse the sink with warm water, and dry with a soft, clean cloth.
  • Polish: Finish off by applying some mineral oil to a soft cloth and buffing the sink in a circular motion. Let it sit for a minute, and then wipe off the excess.

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Related Questions

How do I seal my pure granite sink?

First, use your regular cleaning method to thoroughly clean the sink. Then pour a small amount of sealer onto the surface and work it in with a soft cloth. Continue to apply sealer and rub it in, little by little until the whole surface is covered. Let it sit for 5 minutes, continuing to apply the sealer if it starts to dry. The granite needs to be wet throughout the process.After it sits, work the sealer in again with a soft cloth, then let it sit again for 5 more minutes. Finally, use a clean, dry towel to remove remaining residue, and keep the sink dry for 6 hours afterward.


How do I repair scratches to a composite granite sink?

To remove scratches or chips, use 800-grit sandpaper to sand the scratches. When you’re finished, seal the surface using the method described above.

Kathryn Flegal
Kathryn Flegal

Kathryn is a craft aficionado who loves writing about DIY home improvement projects. When she's not writing, she loves reading, listening to musicals, and playing with her kids.

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