How to Remove Food Coloring Off Counter

From making frosting for holiday cookies and decorating Easter eggs to doing fun science and art projects with the kids, you may find yourself pulling food coloring out of the pantry often. However, one stray drop of food coloring can immediately stain your counter.

Even a dollop of colored frosting or egg decorating solution can stain the counter. The coloring won’t disappear with water or all-purpose cleaners. How can you remove food coloring and save your counter?

What Dissolves Food Coloring?

While most store-bought products are ineffective at dissolving food coloring and could damage your counters, there are several natural products that will do the trick.

You may even have some of these products in your home right now. Vinegar, dish soap and baking soda are some of the products that can dissolve food coloring.

Common Household Items That Can Help Remove Food Coloring Stains

The best time to attempt to remove food coloring stains is as soon as possible. This prevents the stain from setting. Because of this, it’s best to keep your stain removal ingredients nearby when working with food coloring in case you have an accident. These are some of the most effective household items that can remove food coloring stains.

Mild Soap and Water

Immediately after you spot the stain, use a damp, soapy cloth to rub the stain. If the stain hasn’t set in, this may be effective. If the stain lingers, use one of the other stain removal methods below as needed.

Baking Soda and Water Paste

Create a thick paste using baking soda and water. Cover the stain completely using the paste, and let it sit for 20 minutes. With a soft cloth and fresh water, rub the paste in a circular motion. Then, use a clean cloth to wipe aware the paste residue.

Vinegar and Baking Soda Combination

Vinegar and baking soda create a chemical reaction that has exceptional cleaning power. Make a paste out of the white vinegar and baking soda. Apply it to the stained area and let it sit undisturbed for 15 minutes. Then, wipe the paste off using a clean cloth.

Hydrogen Peroxide for Stubborn Stains

Diluted hydrogen peroxide may be effective at removing stains. Rub the stain with a cloth or sponge in a circular motion over the stain. If the stain persists, apply a paste made out of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Let the paste sit for 10 minutes before wiping it off.

Lemon Juice and Salt Scrub

Cover the stain fully with table salt. Squeeze or pour lemon juice on the salt to make a thick paste. Use the open side of the lemon or a soft cloth to rub the paste into the stain. Then, let the paste dry and harden. After several hours, use a wet cloth to wipe the dry paste off of the counter.

Cleaning Tips Based on Countertop Types

The cleaning solutions that are effective at removing food color stains on some materials can damage other materials. Choose a stain removal solution that is suitable for your counter type. In addition, always test a small, out-of-the-way area before applying the stain remover to the stain.

Granite and Marble

Granite and marble are porous, natural materials. They are susceptible to etching from acidic substances like lemon juice and vinegar. The best thing to clean them with is warm water and liquid dish soap.

Wood

A foolproof way to remove a stain from a wood counter is to sand it. However, this will remove the finish and result in the need to refinish the entire surface.

Food coloring stains on wood can be cleaned with undiluted vinegar and a clean sponge. You can also use soapy water, baking soda or vinegar.

Quartz

While quartz is a natural material, quartz counters are made from crushed quartz, pigments and resin. Because of this, it is safe to clean quartz counters with baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, lemon juice or vinegar.

Laminate

Blot away liquid food coloring. If the food coloring has hardened, scrap it off with the flat surface of a knife or a soft-bristle scrubber as a first step. Brush the scrapings off. Then, wipe the stain with warm, soapy water in a circular motion until the stain is gone.

For tougher stains, rub the stain with diluted vinegar and a soft cloth. Do not allow the vinegar to remain on the stain for more than a few minutes.

Preventive Tips to Avoid Staining Countertops

Your countertops are functionally used as a work surface for food prep, so they are exposed to a variety of staining elements. Whether you are working with food coloring or other elements, you can prevent stains by taking a few steps.

• Regularly seal natural stone countertops.
• Clean food and liquid spills as soon as possible.
• Use cutting boards.
• Lay down wax paper or parchment paper for bigger food prep tasks.

When you’re faced with a tough stain, you might assume that the stained item is permanently ruined. However, most types of stains can be removed with the right supplies and techniques.

At Cleanzen, our housekeepers know how to keep your home spotless. We can remove food coloring on countertops and deal with all of your other cleaning challenges. To learn more about residential cleaning near me, contact Cleanzen today.