Kitchen worktops are often seen as some of the toughest features in the home, built to withstand daily cooking, chopping and spills.
Most people assume that the biggest threats come from food and drink, such as red wine, coffee, or curry.
But according to experts, one of the most damaging risks isn’t something you eat or drink at all.
A simple 30p plastic shopping bag could be the surprising culprit that leaves permanent marks on your kitchen worktop.
Why plastic bags are a hidden hazard
Reusable bags are designed to be strong and long-lasting, but the dyes used in their designs can become a serious problem.
Liv Reed, a kitchen specialist at Prestige Granite, explained: “What many don’t realise is that reusable plastic bags often use strong dyes in their design, which can easily transfer when the material becomes damp. On contact with a kitchen surface, especially porous stones such as granite, quartz or marble, the dye particles seep into tiny natural fissures and pores in the material.”
Once absorbed, these pigments bond beneath the surface, creating stains that normal cleaning methods can’t shift.
How quickly the damage can happen
It doesn’t take long for the damage to set in. Leaving a wet bag on a counter for just a few minutes can be enough for the dye to bleed into the surface.
Reed warned: “It’s a silent risk that most households overlook, but simply leaving a wet bag for life on the worktop for a short time could trigger permanent staining, making it one of the most surprising and damaging culprits in the kitchen.”
The result is often a deep-set mark that forces homeowners to consider professional polishing or even full worktop replacement.
What to do if it happens
If you spot dye transfer, act immediately. Blot the area with a dry cloth rather than rubbing, then try warm soapy water.
If the stain persists, Reed suggests: “First try a multi-surface spray. If that doesn’t work, a cream cleaner such as CIF or The Pink Stuff can be used, followed by acetone if necessary.”
Should all else fail, professional treatment may be the only way to restore the surface - a costly consequence of a very small mistake.
