A significantly high number of homeowners prefer granite countertops for their homes as these countertops are incredibly durable and instantly add grandeur to any space. It is important to learn the proper ways on how to clean your granite countertops.
Granite countertops are also available in a variety of colors, and each slab is unique in its design. This makes them go well with all kinds of interiors.
Granite is a stain and heat-resistant material, which makes granite countertops an even more convenient option for homeowners.
Caring for granite countertops is also easy. There are a few tips and tricks homeowners should keep in mind while cleaning these countertops.
Let’s dive into learning the tips on how to clean granite countertops.
Basic Maintenance Tips for Granite Countertops
When it comes to cleaning granite countertops, homemade cleaners are the way to go. Commercial cleaners available in the market contain harsh chemicals and can leave unsealed countertops damaged.
Granite countertops do not generally need powerful cleaners.
Granite Countertop Cleaner for Normal Cleaning
For regular cleaning, a mixture of soap and water is enough. Follow these steps for a basic cleaner.
- Take a spray bottle and fill it with water.
- Add to it a few drops of any mild detergent.
- Shake well and spray on any sticky residues and spills.
- Now, take a microfiber cloth and rub it over the stains and spills in a circular manner.
You will find your granite countertop looking clean as new in only a few seconds.
Granite Countertop Cleaner for Disinfecting Cleaning
A deeper or disinfecting cleaning can be completed follow these steps using a spray bottle.
- Mix one-fourth cup of isopropyl alcohol or rubbing alcohol with three to five drops of liquid castile soap.
- Add five to ten drops of your favorite essential oil to the mixture (optional if you don’t like the smell of alcohol).
- Add in one and a half cups of distilled water. If you don’t have purified water, regular tap water will also do.
- Add this mixture to a spray bottle and spray whenever and wherever needed.
Granite Countertop Cleaner for Removing Stains
Some stains are obstinate and refuse to go away with a basic, mild cleaner. These stains can become permanent if ignored.
Thus, an essential step in taking care of granite countertops is periodically getting rid of stains.
Basic Cleaner Recipe
Follow these steps to remove stains.
- Start by spraying some water on the stain
- Next, cover the stain with a baking soda and water paste.
- (Optional: for harshier stains) Cover the stain and the paste with a plastic wrap and leave for about a day.
- Remove the baking soda poultice from the stain (time depends on the harshness of stain)
- Wash the area with mild soap and water. Baking soda does an excellent job of drying and pulling out any stain.
Stubborn Stain Cleaner Recipe
You can also use hydrogen peroxide pads to get rid of stubborn stains if you do not have baking soda.
Follow these steps to create a hydrogen peroxide pad at home to clean your granite countertop.
- Take a wad of cotton, and cut it to match the size of the stain.
- Next, pour hydrogen peroxide on a cotton pad. Make sure the pad is entirely wet.
- Next, place this hydrogen peroxide cotton pad on the stain and cover it with plastic. Make sure the stain is completely covered.
- Leave the pad on the stain for about 24 hours.
- The next day, remove the pad and clean the stain with lukewarm water.
Homemade Granite Countertop Cleaner for Adding Shine
Now that you are done with cleaning the countertop, the next step is to make it look shiny.
Be careful if you are using a commercial polish to add shine to your granite countertop.
Make sure the polish does not contain anything supremely acidic, such as vinegar, ammonia, bleach, lime, etc.
In short, the polish should be granite-safe.
Homemade Granite Countertop Polish
You can make your own granite polish to replace a commercial product. Follow these steps below.
- Mix three cups of water with one-fourth cup of baking soda
- Apply this mixture to the countertop
- Clean & polish with a dry microfiber cloth.
Your countertops will become instantly shiny using this polish.
General Granite Countertop Cleaning Tips
- Always use a microfiber cloth to clean granite countertops. Microfiber cloths are not only environmentally-friendly, but they can also absorb seven times their weight in water. This property makes them the ideal tool to clean any surface, including granite countertops.
- Clean your granite countertop each day. Wipe off the surface with the help of a dry microfiber cloth.
- There are numerous cleaners available in the market. Steer clear of any unsafe cleaners.
Keep harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners as they can leave scratches and etches on the granite surface. - Steer clear of any recipes that use vinegar and bleach if you are planning on making a homemade cleaner.
While these substances make excellent cleaners on other surfaces, their acidic nature can leave your granite countertop damaged.
Both bleach and vinegar also damage the sealant used in these countertops. Check out this article here for more info. - Before using any specific method to clean the countertop or get rid of stains, do a spot test to make sure the ingredients aren’t harmful to the granite.
Seasonal Maintenance of Countertops
As the season changes, your granite countertop may demand of you more than just a single cleaning session.
The first step in seasonal maintenance of granite countertops is to check if the countertop needs to be sealed again.
To check your granite sealing, follow these steps
- Splash some water on your granite countertop and wait for a few seconds.
- If the water splashed flows out freely, it means your countertop needs to be sealed again.
It is imperative to ensure the presence of a good sealing on granite countertops as these sealings protect the countertops from scratches, stains, and other forms of damages.
Moreover, it usually takes less time to clean sealed granites. Check out our post here for more info about sealing granite countertops.
Make sure to also keep an eye out for stains and scratches while you are checking the granite sealing.
Sometimes, a homemade cleaner proves to be ineffective against certain kinds of marks and stains. In such a scenario, seeking professional opinion will help.
Hire a stone-care expert to get your granite countertop repaired.
Delaying seasonal maintenance can lead to unwarranted maintenance issues that can even burn a hole in your pocket. It’s best to handle problems as soon as they appear.
Final Granite Countertop Care Advice
Granite countertops have remained the preferred choice of homeowners for ages now.
This can be attributed to the durability and design of granite countertops as well as the fact that these countertops require minimal maintenance.
Spend only a few minutes on them each day, and they will last you a lifetime.
Granite Countertop Expert Advice
Talking to a granite countertop expert can help you gain peace of mind in your selection and further care. We can help you decide on the best granite countertop piece to add luxury to your home.
More than that, experts can work with you to help design your dream home’s perfect kitchen countertops.
If you are looking to get new kitchen countertops and want to speak to an expert, reach out to us at RSK Marble & Granite.
With over 15 years of kitchen countertop experience in the Wilmington, MA area, we will be able to help you with all of your kitchen countertop needs.
Call us at (978) 447-1001 or request an email quote by clicking here.