Finding a cigarette burn on your bathroom countertop is disheartening. The yellow-brown color of a cigarette burn can be clearly visible on many sink surfaces. Whether you have a solid surface, such as granite or marble, porcelain or laminate countertop, you can remove the cigarette burn with the right products and methods. Take care when attempting to remove cigarette burns from bathroom counters so you don't scratch or damage the surface in the process.
Remove Burns From Solid Surfaces
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Step 1: Clean the Countertop
Clean the counter with a specialty cleaner made for the specific surface material. You can buy solid surface cleaners for granite, travertine, marble and other stones at most home improvement stores.
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Step 2: Sand Off the Burn
Rub the cigarette burn gently with fine-grit sandpaper. Avoid rubbing too hard and take care to only sand the burn spot and nowhere else. Sand just enough that the cigarette burn spot disappears.
Step 3: Clean the Countertop Again
Clean the countertop again with the solid surface cleaner to remove any sanding residue.
Remove Burns From Porcelain Countertops
Step 1: Wash the Affected Area
Wash the affected area of the countertop with a rag and warm, soapy water. Apply some force when washing to remove any surface discoloration.
Step 2: Apply Baking Soda Paste
Mix 3 parts baking soda with 1 part warm water in a small bowl. Use your finger to spread a generous amount of the baking soda paste onto the burn mark and then rub it in. Allow it to sit on the countertop for at least five minutes.
Step 3: Scrub With a Toothbrush
Scrub the area with an old toothbrush. Apply enough pressure when scrubbing to effectively remove the cigarette burn mark, but not so much pressure that you damage the finish. Wash the area again with a rag and warm, soapy water. Repeat the steps until the cigarette burn is gone.
Remove Burns From Laminate Countertops
Step 1: Wash the Countertop
Wash the countertop with a rag and warm, soapy water. Apply some force when washing to remove any surface discoloration.
Step 2: Apply Some Toothpaste
Apply a generous coating of white toothpaste to the cigarette burn spot. Avoid using toothpaste with any bleach, additives or abrasives. Allow the toothpaste to remain on the countertop for at least 10 minutes.
Step 3: Scrub the Burn Mark
Scrub the spot gently in circular motions with an old toothbrush to remove the cigarette burn spot. Wipe the area with a damp rag to remove the toothpaste. Clean the countertop with a soft scrub cleanser, such as Soft Scrub or Comet, and an old toothbrush. Apply force when scrubbing with the toothbrush to make sure all of the burn mark is removed.
Step 4: Clean the Countertop
Clean the countertop with a damp rag to remove any residue. Repeat scrubbing the burn mark with toothpaste and cleaning with a soft scrub cleanser until the mark is no longer present. If the toothpaste is ineffective, you may need to use a mildly abrasive cleaning liquid that contains bleach. Repeat the steps and, if needed, switch to a toothbrush with firmer bristles.