Repairing Bleach Stains on Formica

Bleach Stains on Formica

I recently made the big mistake of using bleach to clean stains from my formica kitchen counter. I left it on a long time while going off to do other things. So now there are yellow stains from the bleach. Short of replacing (or painting) it all, any suggestions out there for me? Thanks in advance!

Tonya

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RE: Formica

I've done the same thing. Soft scrub worked for me. (05/16/2002)

By Sandy

RE: Bleach Stains on Formica

I have had all kinds of stains on my "almost white" kitchen counter tops! After using a juicer w/ cranberries, I had a red stain about a foot in diameter. Ah! Get out the bleach, right? Wrong. What was a soft red stain immediately turned BRIGHT ORANGE with the bleach! I thought I had ruined the counter. My Bar Keeper's Helper, soft scrub - Nothing fazed it. I thought of lemon juice. (Don't know why.) The lemon juice (reconstituted) almost immediately faded the stain. I use the lemon juice (the cheap, big bottle) for the Formica cabinet tops exclusively now. (06/30/2004)

By Sharon

RE: Bleach Stains on Formica

Glad to see the lemon juice trick. Will give that a try myself. Did the same thing with bleach trying to clean up coffee stains off the counter. (06/15/2005)

By mamiewestern

RE: Bleach Stains on Formica

I tried absolutely everything, until I read this on the internet. Reconstituted Lemon Juice is the answer. It took the stain off the cream colored counter not problem. Great solution, thanks for the advice (04/05/2006)

By Georgiana

RE: Bleach Stains on Formica

Try a combination of 1/4 c. hydrogen peroxide, 1 T. baking soda, and 1 T. white vinegar. Rub it in the stain and let stand for at least 10 minutes, then remove the solution with a clean damp cloth. I am not going to say magically the stain disappears, but it makes it drastically less noticeable. (04/28/2006)

By Felicia

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Bleach Stain on Formica Counter Top

I left a cleaner with bleach in it on top of my Formica countertop. Now there is a bleached out ring. Is there anything I can try before replacing the entire top?

Valerie from Florida

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RE: Bleach Stain on Formica Counter Top

There is nothing you can do once the bleach has taken the colour out. It happened to me. However I did sort of solve the problem, I got the local hardware store to mix up a perfect match MELAMINE paint, very carefully applied 2 layers to the offending bleach stain (NOTE** allow the first layer to completely cure for 24 hours before applying the 2nd) and it worked quite well. It was 2 years before we were ready to replace the counter top, and the painted area held up extremely well.

Make sure the Melamine paint is in the same finish as your counter top ie: matte, semi-gloss, high gloss

Make sure you use a very small foam roller > a brush will leave stroke marks and look like an eyesore

Good Luck. (06/12/2007)

By hedera

RE: Bleach Stain on Formica Counter Top

I would try and get a permanent marker pen in a similar colour, apply it to an old rag and brush lightly over the ring in circles I doubt it would wash off. I wouldn't colour the ring direct but apply it on a slightly damp rag. (06/13/2007)

By cazpumpkin

RE: Bleach Stain on Formica Counter Top

Try Kaboom. Spray it on and let it sit--keep repeating if necessary. This has worked for me, but I did spray it immediately after the bleach left its mark.

I hate Formica Countertops--they stain so easily!

Good Luck! (06/15/2007)

By ginger

RE: Bleach Stain on Formica Counter Top

A temporary fix that I have found works is any oil based wax. It re-darkens the area (which is now more porous due to the bleaching). I used a beeswax based wood care product and it held up for weeks. I simply reapply now and then. (07/20/2007)

By Hawaii Guy

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Bleach Stains on Formica

I have bleach stains (rings) on my dark green Formica countertops. What can I do to remove them?

Sueboo From Jackson, MS

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RE: Bleach Stains on Formica

I have an old '50s Formica countertop, white with metallic flecks (you remember those, right.) I must admit that I am very careless with it and get all kinds of stains from craft projects, including Rit Dye, and Clorox Cleanup always gets rid of them. It's my favorite cleaning product for kitchen and bath. (10/23/2006)

By Claudia-MD

RE: Bleach Stains on Formica

I have used everything from Lemon juice to vinegar to Tide stain remover to Shout to Oxi-clean. I could not find anything until I read that someone used Super Iron Out multi purpose rust stain remover. Believe me it really did work. It comes in a powdered form, I believe I got it at the dollar store. I poured the powder on the stain THEN I added the water, let it set for a short time and the crystal will turn to an orange color, then just wipe away and the stain is gone. They do have a web site listed on the back of the bottle. www.ironout.com Hope it works for ya'll like it did me. (11/01/2006)

By dawn

HELP! Big ugly stains on Formica

Hey everyone,

I have sort of a problem here. I had a lovely blue candle sitting on my Formica counter top and after I picked it up I noticed a nice blue ring (from the wax's dye) sitting on the counter. I've tried a few products on it- don't worry, I know that bleach and Formica don't get along so I'm not doing that one- but does anyone have any ideas as to what I can do to get rid of the stains? I have to get rid of them or I don't get my apartment deposit back! (03/11/2007)

By Melissa

RE: Bleach Stains on Formica

The RUST OUT worked on terrible stains caused by me using bleach on Formica. I tried the lemon juice but it only "muted" the stain. I sprinkled the RUST OUT on the stains and rubbed with a damp paper towel. The stains were gone. Thank you for the great tip! (05/14/2007)

By Patrice

RE: Bleach Stains on Formica

The hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and vinegar works like magic. (06/25/2008)

By ann

RE: Bleach Stains on Formica

I have an orange Formica countertop which unfortunately has a stain on it from a bottle of cleaning solution being tipped over in the middle of the night. I now have a light orange color instead of a bright orange color. I have tried using a sharpie which isn't working and am currently trying to use an orange acrylic paint - which doesn't look promising. Any suggestions on how I can turn the light orange back to bright orange? (06/30/2008)

By College Student