Granite is a very popular and beloved material for kitchen and bathroom countertops, thanks to its long-lasting durability and beautiful appearance. The best way to ensure your granite countertops last for a long time is to maintain them properly.
One of the easiest ways is to give them a daily wipe so that the stone can’t absorb stains too deeply.
Furthermore, wipe up spills as soon as they happen to prevent stains from occurring in the first place. In this post, we will discuss how to clean granite countertops further and go over everything you could need to keep your granite countertops looking new and shiny for as long as possible.
How to Clean Granite Countertops?
1. Clean out the clutter
Before starting the cleaning process, removing everything from the surface is essential. This can include household objects such as your utensil holder, food crumbs, or spills that naturally accumulate on your countertops throughout the day.
All of these loose items and debris can make the later steps harder. Therefore, it is best to remove them beforehand.
2. Prepare your cleaning solution and sponge
You wouldn’t need anything stronger than mild dish soap mixed with some warm water for daily countertop cleaning. You can put your homemade granite cleaner into a spray bottle for ease of use.
Don’t forget that granite can easily be scratched. Therefore, you need to use soft sponges and clothes to avoid erosion on the surface. Be careful not to use abrasive scrubbers. Otherwise, you can harm your granite countertops.
The same rules regarding soft clothes apply if you use store-bought cleaning solutions. However, in that case, you should also pay attention to the suggested instructions of the specific cleaner you are using and follow them to achieve the best results.
3. Wring out the excess water
When cleaning granite countertops, don’t forget that granite is an absorbent stone. With that information in mind, don’t forget to wring out the excess water in your sponge or cloth before using it to clean the surface. Water pooling on granite can cause some of that water to seep into the stone and cause water spots or water damage in the long run.
Make sure to properly lather the sponge with your cleaner for the best application. You may skip this step if you use a specialized cleaning product.
4. Clean the counters
This step is when the actual cleaning takes place. Now that all of your preparation is done, wipe the countertops using small and circular movements. Certain spills and splatters might need to be wiped a few times to come off if they are dried up.
It is okay to use some elbow grease and scrub such areas using a sponge; however, don’t go overboard with it. Make sure that you have gone through all of the surface areas; just because there aren’t visible stains or dirt on some parts doesn’t mean it doesn’t need to be cleaned.
After the solution is gently and evenly applied to the countertops and you have wiped the excess out, you can move on to the next step.
5. Dry completely
As mentioned before, granite is an absorbent stone. Therefore, after wiping it down with a wet cloth, you must dry the surface thoroughly using a soft and dry cloth. Drying it completely prevents your countertops from getting water damage during this process and eliminates steaks.
Water stains can be especially visible on black granite countertops. Ultimately, you are left with clean, shiny, streak-free countertops.
How to Remove Stains From Granite Countertops
If your granite countertops are stained, and the steps above were unsuccessful in removing them, you can try two different ways. You can try store-bought commercial granite stain removers.
If you decide to go with this option, make sure to properly read the instructions and follow them closely to avoid causing any harm to your countertops.
The second option is to go with homemade stain remover. If you decide to proceed with this option, you will need first to identify what kind of stain this is. If it is a water-based stain, you need to mix some baking soda with hydrogen peroxide. If it is an oil-based stain, you need to mix baking soda with water.
In both cases, you must mix the liquid with baking soda to form a paste. If the mixture is too runny, add more baking soda; if it is too stiff and doesn’t spread on the stain properly, add more water or hydrogen peroxide.
Spread the paste generously over the stain and cover the area using plastic wrap. Afterward, tape down the edges of the plastic wrap to ensure it stays in place. You can leave the solution over the stain overnight. If that length of time wasn’t enough to remove the stain, you can leave the solution over the stain for a few days.
After the paste is dried, scrape it off gently with a plastic scraper, then thoroughly clean, rinse, and dry the area to make sure there aren’t any leftover paste.
If leaving the paste for a few days doesn’t remove the stain completely, you can repeat the process a few times for proper lifting. If the process seems to etch the surface, don’t worry. You can easily fix that by buffing some granite polish over the area.
What to Avoid When Cleaning Granite Countertops
The key facts to remember for granite care is to stick to mild detergents and to avoid acidic ingredients such as lemon or vinegar. The use of hydrogen peroxide every once in a while is okay, but you shouldn’t rely on it for daily cleaning.
Furthermore, never use bleach directly on the granite surface; if you must use it, dilute it with water first to counteract the harshness a little bit.
Ammonia or ammonia-based cleaners are also acidic, which in turn can cause etching. Disinfecting wipes usually contain a mixture of ingredients, and it is hard to know the percentage of each ingredient. Therefore, it is best not to use them on granite countertops just to be sure.
You might not notice the effects immediately if you use one of these ingredients once. However, over time these ingredients can etch and dull the surface. If you notice that the stone looks like it is losing its shine, is harder to clean, and stains easier, then it needs a reseal to protect and regain its shine.
Conclusion
A lot of homeowners prefer to install granite countertops when they are updating their kitchen or bathroom. Granite being very tough and durable despite being a natural stone is one of the biggest reasons for its popularity.
Although it is very durable, it is not indestructible, so it is essential for homeowners to know how to take care of granite countertops so that the stone can reach its full potential.
Never forget the most important rule of granite: reseal it yearly so that the stone can have a protective layer between itself and the outside world to protect it from all of the spills and splatters of foods and drinks that will inevitably happen in your kitchen.
FAQ
What is the best granite cleaner?
The best granite cleaner is something you can easily prepare at home. A mixture of mild dish soap and warm water is the perfect solution for daily cleaning. If you are dealing with stubborn stains, making a baking soda paste can help solve that problem for you.
How to deep clean granite countertops?
The best way to deep clean and disinfect the granite is, once again, a homemade mixture. Mix a liter of water with 4 tablespoons of isopropyl alcohol (not the same thing as rubbing alcohol) and four drops of dish soap. Put the mixture into a spray bottle, shake it up, spray the surface evenly, and wipe it clean afterward.
How to clean granite countertops with baking soda?
You can use baking soda as a stain remover for granite countertops. Make a baking soda paste using the instructions above that suit the specific stain you are dealing with, then spread the paste over the stain and let it rest.
Ideally, it will lift the stain overnight. However, you might need to leave it for a couple of days if it is a particularly stubborn one.
How to clean granite countertops before sealing?
As a natural stone, granite is vulnerable before sealing. Therefore, you must be extra careful dealing with it when it is unsealed. You should clean it using the dish soap and water mixture but pay extra attention to not leave any water on the surface.
Because once sealed in, that water is stuck there and can cause damage over time.
