How to Clean Kool-Aid Stains on Kitchen Countertops

Although eliminating stains from countertops is typically thought of as a bothersome task, it does not have to be.

Toothpaste

1. Place a clean, dry towel over the Kool-Aid to absorb excess liquid. Cleaning up the spill shortly after it happens may make removing the stain less difficult. Do not wipe the liquid around the counter as this will increase the surface area of the stain. Instead, blot up liquid in one area at a time. Choose an old towel that you do not mind being stained or one that can be bleached.

2. Fold a paper towel in half two times. Doing this will increases the strength of the paper towel and reduces the chances of shredding the material while scrubbing the stain.

3. Dampen the folded paper towel with a minimal amount of cold water. Carefully wring the paper towel to remove excess water.

4. Squeeze a small amount of toothpaste on the damp paper towel. Choose a toothpaste that is not a colored gel if possible. Toothpaste that contains baking soda is most effective.

5. Rub the Kool-Aid stain lightly with the toothpaste. When the stain has been eliminated, rinse the countertops with a clean, damp paper towel to remove toothpaste remnants.

Baking Soda or Dishwasher Detergent

1. Fold a paper towel in half before dampening it with a small amount of water. Wring the paper towel to eliminate the surplus of moisture.

2. Sprinkle the Kool-Aid stain with baking soda or pour on a liberal amount of dishwasher detergent. If using the baking soda, apply just enough water to form a paste. Allow the agent to work on the stain for ten minutes. For more stubborn stains, allow it to sit for a longer period of time. Neither agent will harm the countertop surface.

3. Lightly scrub the stain. Rinse the countertops when the color has been removed.

Bleach

1. Fill the cap of a bleach container with concentrated bleach. Because concentrated bleach is so potent, only a small amount is necessary.

2. Saturate the Kool-Aid stain with bleach and allow it to sit for no more than five minutes. This should be used only on white countertops with stubborn Kool-Aid stains.

3. Rinse the countertop with a towel saturated with clean water to remove excess bleach.