Kitchen experts at Prestige analysed the most popular spooky season snacks to reveal the ones most likely to stain our worktops.
“As Halloween rolls in, the kitchen becomes the heart of the fun. Bowls of sweets appear on every worktop, icing gets mixed, and last‑minute costume prep happens alongside the snacks. It is a joyful kind of chaos,” said Liv Reed from Prestige Granite.
Most stain‑prone Halloween sweets to watch on worktops
“When it comes to sticky Halloween moments, it is the colourful treats that are most likely to leave their mark if they are left to sit,” shared Liv.
“Think brightly coloured lollipops and gummies, sherbet and sour sweets, berry chews and liquorice, and chocolate caramels that can leave oily smudges.”
- Brightly coloured lollipops, gummies and jellies.
- Red, blue or purple dyes can transfer pigment if left to dwell on porous stone.
- Sherbet and sour sweets
- Citric or similar acids can etch marble and limestone rather than simply stain.
- Berry‑flavoured chews and boiled sweets
- Deep natural pigments can discolour light, porous surfaces.
- Liquorice and other very dark sweets.
- Concentrated colourants can mark pale stone if not wiped promptly.
- Chocolate caramels, toffee and fudge,
- These can leave oil‑based darkening on natural stone.
- Gel icings and highly coloured frosting.
- Concentrated dyes may transfer if left to sit.
What can you do if stains are left behind?
“If any of these land on your worktop, blot the area straight away with a soft, damp microfibre cloth rather than wiping it around. Colour‑heavy treats can transfer pigment if they are left to dwell, and chocolatey or buttery sweets can leave oil that darkens the surface,” revealed Liv.
“For everyday clean‑ups, use warm water with a little mild washing‑up liquid or a pH‑neutral stone cleaner, then rinse and dry with a soft cloth. Avoid harsh or acidic products.
“Take particular care with marble and limestone, as sour or citrus sweets can etch the surface and leave a dull patch rather than a true stain. If you do notice etching, do not scrub; speak to a stone care professional about refinishing.”
