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Don’t Fear Cleaning Granite Countertop Every Again
Granite countertops have picked up a bad reputation for being difficult to clean, and this scares some people away from using the material. In fact, cleaning granite countertop surfaces is relatively easy if you follow a few simple guidelines.
Cleaning Supplies: The Good and the Bad
All you really need to care for your countertops are a few common household supplies:
- Warm water.
- Mild, pH-neutral dish soap.
- Isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol).
- Baking soda.
- Hydrogen peroxide.
- Microfiber or other soft, lint-free cloth.
If you prefer, you can also use any one of a number of the prepared cleaning products on the market. Read the label carefully to be sure the product is appropriate for your use.
7 items NOT to use when cleaning granite:
- Bleach.
- Ammonia.
- Citrus-based cleaners.
- Glass cleaner.
- All-purpose household cleaners.
- Abrasive, gritty cleansers.
- Abrasive cloth.
How-To do Cleaning Granite Countertop
- When you are preparing food in the kitchen, any spills should be wiped up immediately before they have a chance to stain.
- For cleaning granite countertop surfaces on a daily basis, prepare a solution of warm water and a pH-neutral dish soap. Soak a microfiber cloth in this solution and first wipe the counter quickly to remove any crumbs and other loose material. Rinse the cloth.
- Soak the cloth again in the cleaning solution and thoroughly wipe the counter to remove any sticky residue and lingering debris. Dry the counter with a clean, dry cloth.
- Run your hand lightly over the surface of the dry counter. You may be able to feel a soiled spot that you were not able to see. If so, wipe and dry the counter again until it feels smooth and clean.
- Although granite resists bacteria, if you would like a little extra insurance you can spray the counter with a half-and-half mixture of water and isopropyl alcohol. Let it sit for about five minutes then rinse, dry and buff with a microfiber cloth for a smooth, shiny, germ-free surface.
- Periodically remove any appliances or storage containers that usually stay on the counter and wipe down the areas under and around them.
- If you discover a stain has set in the granite, you may be able to remove it with a baking soda solution. For an oily stain, make a paste of baking soda and water; if the stain is water based use baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Dab the paste onto the stain, cover it with plastic and leave it until it dries. Gently wipe away the soda and see if the stain has been removed. If not, it may be time to seek professional advice. Above all, do not try to scrub out a stain.
Contact Traditional Designs Today
Cleaning granite countertop surfaces is not difficult, and when you buy your granite at Traditional Designs you can always count on us for guidance. Call us at
or contact us and stop by our showrooms in Houston and Galveston and let us answer all of your questions about using and maintaining granite.The No-Fear Way to Cleaning Granite Countertop | Traditional Designs Ltd
