Granite countertops continue to be a popular choice for kitchens in both home and commercial kitchens.
Despite the widespread popularity in homes across America, we are still frequently asked how to clean granite countertops.
Granite may be a hard stone but it can be damaged by cleaning products and techniques that would be fine to use on other types of kitchen counters.
In this post, we’ll discuss how to properly clean your granite countertops so they continue to look beautiful for the life of your home.
How to Clean granite counters
First – Make sure they are properly sealed
Before you begin cleaning, make sure your granite is sealed. Granite countertops need to be properly sealed in order to resist all of the liquids and spills they will encounter. Granite may be extremely hard and is less porous than other natural stones, unsealed granite can still soak up oils and stains.
Not all granite counters will be made from the same types of granite or sealed with the same methods. Some will have a factory resin treatment and others will require regular sealing every two to four years. Make sure to follow the instructions of your counter manufacturer or St. Louis granite supplier.
To check whether your granite counters are sealed, pour just a few drops of water on the counter top. If it beads up, you have a secure seal. If after a few minutes the water has disappeared into the granite, then it’s time to reseal it.
Related: The Dos & Dont’s of Cleaning Natural Stone Surfaces
Use soap and water
There are special granite cleaning soaps available at the store but all you really need to use is a basic mild dish soap and water.
Don’t use vinegar, Windex, bleach or cleaners with lemon, lime, or ammonia on granite. Cleaners that contain acids can dull the granite and weaken the sealant.
Use a cotton washcloth
A simple cotton washcloth will be perfect for cleaning. A soft textured sponge will also work, as will a clean microfiber cloth or terrycloth towel.
Don’t use abrasive cleaning pads, because they can scratch the granite.
Gently wipe down counters
Gently wipe down your granite counters using your soft washcloth and soap & water mixture. Wring out your cloth first so you don’t use too much water, which could be absorbed and leave streaks.
Related: Caring for countertops and grout
How to remove stains
For removing stains from granite countertops, it’s likely that all you will need is water and baking soda. Sometimes you may need hydrogen peroxide. The mixture will depend on what type of stain you have.
Water-based stains: Mix 1 cup of baking soda, 5 tablespoons of liquid dish soap, and enough hydrogen peroxide to make the mixture into a yogurt consistency.
Oil-based stains: Mix 1 cup of baking soda, 5 tablespoons of liquid dish soap, and enough water to make the mixture into a yogurt consistency.
Gently scrub the stain with your yogurty/pasty mixture and a soft cloth. Rinse thoroughly. It can take several tries to get out a tough stain.
Granite countertops when properly sealed should help prevent stains. If you’re constantly cleaning up stains, it may be time to reseal the granite.
How to clean granite countertops video
If you are shopping for granite countertops in the St Louis area, visit our 30,000 ft showroom at Graniterra.
Visit our granite showroom in St. Louis
1551 S Kingshighway Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63110
Mon – Fri: 8 AM-5:30 PM, Sat: 9 AM-4:00 PM
Call Today! 314.533.3366
Source: Cleaning granite countertops (Wiki-How)
