Care & Maintenance

How to Clean Grease and Oil Off Granite Countertops

Pakistani cooking means oil — tadka for daal, frying pakoras and samosas, parathas with ghee. Granite handles it better than almost any natural stone, but a sticky film can build up around the stove, and oil can occasionally soak into lighter granites. Here is how to deal with both.

By FB Marble & Granite, Lahore·18 October 2026·2 min read

Boundary wall clad in Sadio Pink granite

Granite and Its Pores

Granite is dense, but it is not completely non-porous. Between its crystals are microscopic gaps. When the sealer is fresh, oil sits on the surface. When the sealer wears thin, especially on light stones like Kashmir White, oil can seep in and leave a darker patch.

Grease vs Oil Stain: Know the Difference

Grease is residue sitting on top of the stone. It feels tacky or slippery and often looks smeary under the light.

An oil stain has soaked into the stone. The surface feels clean and dry, but the area looks darker, as if it is permanently wet.

Method 1: Blot Immediately

For fresh spills, blot with paper towels. Don't wipe, which spreads the oil and pushes it into the pores. Then clean with warm soapy water.

Method 2: Warm Water and Dish Soap

For surface grease, use hot water with a degreasing dish soap and a soft sponge. Work in circles, rinse twice with clean water to remove soap film, and dry with a microfibre cloth. This handles most daily build-up.

Method 3: Baking Soda Poultice

For oil that has soaked in, mix baking soda with water into a paste the thickness of peanut butter. Spread it about 5 mm thick over the stain, extending slightly beyond the edges. Cover with plastic wrap, tape the sides and poke a few small holes. Leave for 24–48 hours so the paste can dry and pull the oil out. Scrape off with a plastic spatula, rinse and repeat if needed. On dark granites, acetone can replace water for stronger action.

Step 1: Blotting oil with paper towel – clean grease off granite — Step 1: Blotting oil with paper towel

Step 2: Dish soap wash – clean grease off granite — Step 2: Dish soap wash

Step 3: Baking soda poultice on oil stain – clean grease off granite — Step 3: Baking soda poultice on oil stain

Method 4: Commercial Stone Degreasers

Oil-stain removers and degreasers formulated for natural stone are effective for stubborn or old stains. Always follow the label and test on a hidden area first.

After Removing the Stain

Let the granite dry completely — at least a day — and then reseal the area. The stain will not return unless new oil penetrates.

Preventing Grease Build-Up

Seal granite regularly, especially around the stove
Keep oil bottles and ghee tins on a tray
Wipe the cooking zone after every meal, not just once a day
Run your exhaust hood during frying to reduce oil mist

Talk to FB Marble

FB Marble & Granite has supplied and installed natural stone across Pakistan since 2001. Visit our showroom at 51 Y Jamun, Bedian Road, near the DHA Phase 5-6 Interchange, Lahore, or WhatsApp +92 323 4148908 with your measurements for a free quote. Browse our granite, marble, quartz, porcelain and onyx collections on fbmarble.com.