Don’t take Your Granite Counter for Granted – The Do’s and Don’ts of Cleaning Granite Countertops

Recently, we received an email from one of our clients, “What will happen if I don’t clean my granite countertop?”

That is indeed a good question. And, in today’s post, we are going to address this question, while also offering you helpful guidance on cleaning your granite kitchen and bathroom countertops.

With the right care, granite and other countertops made of natural stones like travertine, marble, and quartzite can last for several years to come, without losing their natural sheen. Granite is indeed a great investment for your home and requires minimal maintenance. With that said, if you don’t clean your countertops regularly or use the wrong materials, your granite may lose its luster and develop stains and etch marks.

Now, coming to the actual cleaning, we’ve heard plenty of contradicting views and opinions – use Colin and other commercial cleaners. No, don’t use Colin! Use only specialized granite cleaners. No, you shouldn’t use specialized granite cleaners!

With years of experience in the industry, and after installing hundreds of granite countertops in homes all across the country, we can give you a clear picture of how to care for your granite. The short answer? You don’t need any special cleaners to keep your granite countertops sparkly clean and shiny!

Now, to elaborate, we give you the Do’s and Don’ts of Cleaning Granite Countertops:

Do: Ensure that your Countertop is Sealed

Granite is a natural stone with a hard surface. It’s less porous than marble. However, if your granite is not sealed, it runs the risk of picking up spills, food stains, and oils.

Now, how do you find out if your granite is properly sealed? Sprinkle a few drops of water on the surface of the stone. If you find the water droplets beading up, then it means your counter has a secure seal. On the other hand, if the water gets absorbed into the stone after a few minutes, then it means it’s time for applying sealant.

Don’t: Use harsh sponges or abrasive cleaners

Acidic cleaners like lemon, vinegar or any other household cleaner with bleach or ammonia should be avoided for granite. When you frequently use these chemicals, you are likely to weaken the sealant layer and dull the luster of the stone.

Remember this guideline – harsher the chemical cleaner, quicker will the sealant break down.

Do: Be Gentle While Cleaning

Cleaning your kitchen counter is not the time to flex your muscles. All you need to do are warm water, mild dishwashing soap, and a soft microfiber cloth. This is sufficient for your daily wipe-downs and will keep your counter squeaky clean and sparkly.

What about Disinfecting your Countertops? How do you get Rid of those Nasty Bacteria?

The good news is that – a well-sealed granite counter is bacteria-resistant. Yes, regular warm water and dish soap are more than adequate for all your daily sanitizing requirements.

However, if you feel that you need to disinfect your countertops for a deep clean, then you can use a solution of water and isopropyl alcohol in the ration 1:1. Spray this mixture on the granite and let it sit for a few minutes. Then rinse a micro-fiber cloth with warm water and wipe down the counter.

What about Special Granite Cleaners? Can I use them?

Yes, there are special granite cleaners available on the market. You can use them if you need. However, remember that there is no need to buy these cleaners, as regular dish soap does the job perfectly.

Here, we give you a Cleaning Tutorial for Your Granite Counters.

Deep Clean Tutorial for Granite Countertops:

• Warm water
• Mild dishwashing soap
• Cotton cloth or dishcloth
• Microfiber cloth or a terry-cotton towel
• Spray bottle (optional)
• Isopropyl alcohol (optional)

Instructions:

1. Wet your dishcloth with a warm, soapy solution. You can fill the kitchen sink with warm water and a few drops of dish wash solution. Now, wet your dishcloth in this solution.
2. Wipe the counter. Use your wet cloth to give your counter a rub down. Just wipe away spills, crumbs and other stains from the counter. Remember to be gentle. There is no need to show your muscle power.
3. Dry the counter with a microfiber cloth. Dry your clean counter with a soft microfiber cloth or terry cotton towel. Use a soft cloth for this step to avoid streaking your counter.
4. Make a solution of water and isopropyl. You could very well stop with the above step. However, if you are looking to disinfect the counter and restore shine, make a mixture of water and isopropyl alcohol in the ratio 1:1.
5. Spray the solution on the granite using a spray bottle. Let it sit for 3 to 5 minutes, and then wipe the solution with a cloth dipped in water. Dry the counter with a microfiber cloth.

That’s it. Your shiny granite counter is ready. Sit back and enjoy your handiwork.

And, don’t forget for the best and affordable granite counters in a wide range of colours, all you have to do is reach out to one of our sales representatives. Give us a call or drop in a mail to pick the best granite counters for your home. Décor Luxury Stones is one of India’s leading Granite Countertops suppliers, with a wide range of Granite Countertops in all colours and sizes.