Easy Solutions For Cleaning Granite Countertops

There are few surfaces as gorgeous in a kitchen as granite countertops. Home improvement stores and home design television programs often praise the functionality and durability of granite. Plus, you have to love not needing hot pads to put your hot pans on when taking them off the stove! However, something that many prospective granite owners fear about having granite as a kitchen material is the task of cleaning granite countertops. As you’ll find, this task is neither a fearful, nor a complicated one. Armed with a step-by-step for cleaning and some important tips, keeping your granite as clean and radiant as it was when it was brand new isn’t so scary.

Granite countertops are quite the investment. And with proper care, they are well worth that initial investment for the sheer durability and lifespan they provide for your kitchen. Plus, they just look so darn pretty! To help you accomplish this, here is a step-by-step guide for cleaning granite countertops. But before we get started, a quick comment about those especially made for granite cleaners: while they will safely clean your granite countertops, they are generally unnecessary. Using your mild dish soap with warm water and a textured wash cloth or microfiber cloth will do just as a good a job. And since those “granite cleaners” are generally not cheap, sticking to warm water and dish soap is much more cost-effective.

First, fill your sink with warm water and some of your mild dish soap.
Then wet your cloth with the warm, soapy water, and use it to wipe down your granite.
After you wipe it down, dry your granite with a dry microfiber or terry cloth—this step helps you avoid any unsightly streaking. Disinfecting is all the rage these days; but, it’s important to note that well-sealed granite is generally invulnerable to bacteria. If you absolutely must do some extra disinfecting, use a half-and-half mix of water and 91% isopropyl alcohol. With a spray bottle, disperse the solution onto the granite and leave it for 3 to 5 minutes; then rinse and dry with your clean countertop cloth.

In addition to this simple cleaning procedure, there are some tips that will assist in cleaning granite countertops and keeping them gorgeous. First, make sure than your granite is given a quality initial seal, and have it resealed regularly. This seal protects the natural stone from absorbing stains, oils, and spills. You can easily check your granite to see if its seal is still a good one: place a few water drops in your granite counter; well-sealed granite will not absorb the drops, so the water will still be there after a few minutes.

On the other hand, if those drops are gone after a few minutes, then your granite absorbed the water and is in need of resealing to protect the look and integrity of the natural stone. As with any countertop surface, you will, of course, want to clean up any spills as soon as you see them. For stains, use warm water, mild dish soap, and a microfiber or terry cloth. Under no circumstances do you want to use disinfecting wipes, citrus or vinegar based cleaners, bleach, window cleaners, ammonia, pot scrubbers, or sponges or any other abrasive cleaner on your granite—over time, these will chemically breakdown the seal of your granite, leaving your countertops vulnerable to damage from spills and stains. Following these simple tips and steps will help you keep your gorgeous granite clean and radiant for many years to come!