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4 min read

How To Clean Granite Countertops

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Granite countertops bring beauty, functionality, and value to any home. Granite is a natural stone product so it requires special care to protect and keep it looking great. Maintaining a clean kitchen is important in every home, but much more so in a kitchen with granite countertops. Most high-quality granite countertops are sealed, so you won’t have to put much effort into cleaning the countertop.

Don’t Be Harsh

You might be tempted to use harsh cleaning products on your granite countertop but believe us when we say they are not necessary. There are people that swear on using liquids like Windex, vinegar, lemon, or limes to clean all countertop surfaces. Acidic liquids like these will only strip away the top seal of the granite. Whatever you do, absolutely DO NOT clean granite with acidic ingredients such as vinegar, lemon juice, or lime juice, etc. Once the granite has lost its seal the granite will soak up oils, spills, and might be vulnerable to stain. You’ll also want to avoid abrasive scrubbers. Scouring pads and scrub-sponges should not be used to clean any type of countertops. They will only damage your countertop surfaces. Other things to avoid are abrasive products such as scrubs and steel wool pads, products containing bleach, degreasing substances, and ammonia.

cleaning-granite-countertops-don't-be-harsh.png(A gentle sponge should be used to clean your granite)

Be Gentle

To ensure that your granite countertops stay in good condition, take a few minutes everyday to clear them of clutter and gently wipe them down. Use a soft cloth or sponge with hot water.  You can also use extra a specially formulated stone cleaner. To clean a splatter or spill, first remove the dried-on food with a butter knife, or  a razor blade if necessary, and wipe the spill. Then moisten the surface with your usual granite cleaner. Want to know a secret that professionals use? Professional cleaners and granite installers use warm water and gentle dish soap! Yup that's right, all you need to clean your granite countertops is warm water and gentle dish soap. Use a soft sponge to wipe, then buff dry to a shine with a soft cloth. Dish soap is ok to use every once in a while, but don’t just rely on dish soap, they naturally have degreasers in them that will dull the countertops appearance overtime. A dedicated granite cleaner will do wonders when cleaning the kitchen. A good, high-quality granite cleaner will set you back a couple of bucks, but it will help maintain and prolong the life of your granite slab. Remember to use hot pot holders to avoid heat marks on your granite countertops.

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(Microfiber towels keep your counter streak free)

What You Need

  • Warm water
  • Mild or gentle dish soap
  • Dish cloth
  • Clean microfiber cloth or terry-cloth towel
  • Isopropyl alcohol (optional)
  • Spray bottle (optional) 

Instructions

  1. Wet your dish cloth with warm, soapy water: Fill the sink with warm water and a mild dish soap, then thoroughly wet a clean dish cloth.
  2. Wipe down the granite countertops: You don't need us to tell you how to do this part. Just wipe away any spills or crumbs on your countertop!
  3. Dry with a microfiber cloth to avoid streaking: Dry and buff your granite countertop thoroughly with a microfiber cloth or soft terry cloth towel to avoid streaking.
  4. Make a water and isopropyl alcohol solution: To periodically disinfect your granite countertops, remove soap residue, and restore shine, mix together a 50:50 solution of water and 91% isopropyl alcohol.
  5. Shine and disinfect: Spray the solution onto the granite, allow it to sit for 3-5 minutes, then rinse with water and dry with a clean microfiber cloth.
  6. Enjoy!: Your nice, shiny, clean granite countertops are ready to go.

Seal Maintenance

While granite is a very hard surface and less porous than marble, unsealed or weakly sealed granite will soak up oils, spills, and stains. To check whether your granite is sealed, leave a few drops of water on the surface. If it beads up, you have a secure seal. If after a few minutes the water has soaked into the granite, then it's time to reseal the stone. Granite countertops do require annual maintenance. Your countertops should be sealed at least twice a year for more protection. The seal protects granite against any liquids that can penetrate the stone and leave permanent stains. You can hire a professional to reseal your granite countertop or you can also do it yourself, it is not terribly difficult. A quick internet search and you’ll see that there are hundreds of products to choose from. Do you have a favorite Granite Cleaner? We want to know which one is your go-to cleaner!

how-to-seal-granite-countertops.png(most granite sealers are spray-on)

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For over 15 years Bay Cities Construction has helped hundreds of homeowners with their home remodeling projects, helping them transform their house into a home they love. Our team has the experience and expertise to help you with home remodeling, kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling, home additions, soft-story retrofits, and home additions. When you hire Bay Cities Construction you don’t just hire a contractor, you also hire an entire team of Pros. With several years of experience, our team has the expertise to help you with Interior Design, Architectural and Engineering Services, City Representation, Permit Processing, Construction Project Management, and Construction services. If you think Bay Cities Construction is the right team for you, contact us today.

Ready to take the next step? We’re certain that Bay Cities Construction is the best general contractor for your project, you can Schedule an Appointment by clicking HERE. We offer a complimentary 1-hour consultation at our office so you can meet our team and we can discuss your home remodeling project. Our team of Pros can help you design and build the kitchen of your dreams. If you have been disappointed by other contractors, it's time to call one of the best home remodelers in the South Bay.

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