One of the perks of granite countertops is that they are highly durable and require very little maintenance—but kitchens are often busy places, and countertops get dirty. What is the best way to clean granite countertop, and what to clean countertops with, are common questions. Fortunately, it’s pretty simple.
When it comes to everyday dirt, the best cleaner for granite countertop is often just mild dish soap. And while you can buy specially formulated granite countertop cleaner from a shop or on the internet, it’s also simple to learn how to clean granite countertop with natural products. You can make your own cleaner by simply combining ¼ to ½ cup of rubbing alcohol or vodka with a few drops each of dish soap and your favorite essential oils, then diluting the mixture with water in a large spray bottle.
Whether you’re using mild dish soap or your own natural cleaning solution, it’s important not to oversaturate your countertop. If using soap, wet a sponge or soft cloth, add a few drops of soap and work it until it is sudsy, then wring it out well to get rid of excess water, and simply wipe over the surface with a circular motion, repeating as necessary. If necessary, you can wipe back over the surface with a clean wet cloth or sponge, well wrung out. If you’re using your own solution, you can either spray it onto a cloth and wipe the countertop with the cloth, or you can lightly mist the surface and then rub it dry with the cloth.
Never be Used for Cleaning Granite Countertops:
While it’s important to know what to use to clean granite countertop, it’s also essential to know what NOT to use. Some common cleaning products should never be used for cleaning granite countertops: Windex, acidic products such as vinegar and lemon, and abrasive products such as steel wool, for example, are not well-suited to cleaning granite. Even if they don’t appear to damage the stone initially, continued use of these products will show over time and will shorten the lifespan of your granite. Stick to gentle soaps and home-made natural cleaning solutions!
Stain Remove from Granite Countertop:
In addition to everyday maintenance, it is important to know how to clean granite countertop stains, including how to clean hard water stains off granite countertops. Granite is a porous surface, especially if it isn’t sealed properly, and it can absorb water or oil and become discolored. Fortunately, cleaning stains are usually relatively simple as well. An effective stain remover can be made by mixing a baking soda paste. If the stain is oil-based, mix baking soda with water; if it’s a water-based stain, mixing the baking soda with hydrogen peroxide will be more effective. The paste should be thick, not runny. Spread it over the stained area, cover it with plastic wrap, and allow the paste to sit overnight, then wipe it off gently. You can repeat this process as necessary. To prevent very stubborn stains, make sure your countertop is sealed regularly. You can check to see if your countertop needs to be resealed by dribbling a couple of drops of water on it. If the water beads, the seal is still strong—if it soaks in, it’s time to reseal.
As you can see, maintaining sparkling clean, beautiful countertops doesn’t have to be difficult—all it takes is a little bit of soap or baking soda and some elbow grease, and then you can step back and enjoy your sparkling clean granite countertop!