Granite can last for decades if it’s well cared for. Like quartz, marble and other types of natural stone, granite is strong, durable and has heat resistant properties. But it’s important to learn how to clean granite countertops properly because the wrong products and techniques can damage them.
Why granite counters are sensitive
The surface of your granite countertops may look smooth, but it’s actually made up of many tiny holes. These holes absorb water, dirt, grime and dust.
Sealant prevents this on granite countertops. But time, moisture, acidic food and drinks — and even polishing granite countertops incorrectly or using the wrong cleaning products — can cause this protective layer to break down, which dulls and stains the stone. And stained granite countertops are difficult to fix.
Many of the cleaning methods that are safe to use on other surfaces can damage granite. Even common household cleaners can have disastrous results. So, reviewing how to clean granite countertops can help them last for decades — and make sure you get your security deposit back when you move out.
How to clean granite countertops
When it’s properly sealed and maintained, granite has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. So, renters don’t need to do much to keep a granite countertop clean.
Remove dust and dirt daily. Experts recommend microfiber towels or cloths for the best results, but a soft, clean rag or paper towel work, too.
Wipe up spills immediately. Use as little water as possible because too much moisture is dangerous for granite. Dry with a second soft towel or cloth.
Cleaners that stain granite
Never use bleach, ammonia-based cleaners or other harsh chemicals to clean granite. They can quickly eat through the sealant and discolor the stone.
The same goes for all-purpose cleaners, glass cleaners and cleaning wipes. Even natural cleaners like lemon juice, lime juice and vinegar have the same effect. Avoid anything that contains citric acid or citrus oil, since acidic cleaners and citrus extracts damage granite, too.
Tools to use to clean granite countertops
Use only soft cloths and sponges to polish and clean granite counters. Anything else can compromise the sealant and dull a granite countertop’s shine. Make sure they don’t contain traces of other cleaners. Avoid hard sponges, brushes, abrasive scrubbers and steel wool.
The best cleaner for granite countertops doesn’t require any guesswork or label reading. And it’s cheap and easy to make at home.
Make a gentle dish soap solution for everyday cleaning
“Granite countertops are a fantastic choice as they will withstand the wear and tear of everyday life in busy households,” says Rebecca Hoye of Capital Granite in St. Cloud, MN. “They are essentially maintenance-free. The best cleaning solution will be a soap and water mix for everyday spills.”
You can make your own gentle cleaner with just warm water and dish soap. Put 1-3 drops of mild dish soap or Castile soap into a damp sponge. Squeeze the sponge until soapy water appears. Don’t use too much water, since water can discolor granite countertops. Gently wipe the countertop in small circles until it’s clean.
Then, dry the countertop with a microfiber cloth using the same circular motion. This removes extra water and soap residue and helps granite counters shine. If streaks appear, repeat the process.
Create a rubbing alcohol cleaner to disinfect granite surfaces
To disinfect countertops and cut through grease, try a rubbing alcohol solution. Pour half a cup of rubbing alcohol, one-half teaspoon of dish soap and one and a half cups of warm water into a 16-ounce spray bottle. Close the bottle and shake to combine the ingredients.
Then, lightly spritz about one square foot of the counter. Wipe with a soft cloth in a circular motion. Continue the process a few more times, re-applying the alcohol solution on any areas where food or grease sticks to the surface. Repeat the process until each section of the counter is completely clean.
Dry the excess water with a second soft cloth. If it gets too wet, that could damage the sealant and the granite underneath.
Buy special products to clean granite countertops
For a deeper clean, purchase granite cleaner. Many granite cleaners also kill viruses and bacteria, which can bring extra peace of mind if someone in the house is sick. They’ll work for granite floor and wall tiles, as well.
These special cleaners can also help restore shine, protect the sealant and preserve the stone. They’re pH balanced for granite surfaces, so they’re safe to use. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Granite cleaners are a good choice for deep cleaning sessions. They can also tackle grimy bathroom countertops and heavily used kitchen work surfaces.
Treating stained granite
Spills happen. To remove a stain, first, see how severe it is. Then, figure out what type of stain you’re dealing with.
Cleaning sticky residue, recent spills and mild stains is simple. Wet a clean microfiber cloth with warm water and wring out the excess so it’s just a bit damp.
Let it sit on top of the stained area for a few seconds, then, make gentle circles with the cloth. Dry the spot thoroughly with a second towel.
Cleaning up water stains
If you don’t dry the spot completely, you could have another issue on your hands — water spots. Thankfully, this is usually easy to fix with a homemade stain remover.
Put 1/4 cup of baking soda into a bowl. Add just enough hydrogen peroxide to make a thick paste that’s the consistency of yogurt.
Gently spoon the paste onto the stain until it’s about 1/4 of an inch thick. (If the stain is large, you may need to mix up a second or third batch.) The paste should cover the entire stain, but not extend beyond its borders. Keep the stain remover on the granite countertop for a few hours. If the stain hasn’t budged, it can safely stay on overnight or even for a day or two.
If you have pets or kids in the house, you might want to cover the baking soda mixture to keep them out of it. Put plastic wrap on top of the mixture, then tape down the edges to hold it in place. Pierce a few holes in the top to help the mixture dry out.
When the stain has lifted, gently remove the baking soda. Don’t scrub, since baking soda is a bit abrasive. Wipe down the area with a dry microfiber cloth to absorb extra moisture. This method also removes acidic stains like red wine and tomato sauce.
Tackle oil-based stains on a granite countertop
You can also make a baking soda paste to remove an oil-based stain like make-up remover, cooking oil or grease. Instead of hydrogen peroxide, use water.
Mix a few tablespoons of hot water into about 1/4 cup of baking soda. (The exact amount will depend on the size of the stain.) Spoon the paste-like mixture onto the stain until it covers the edges and the paste is about 1/4 inch thick.
As with the water damage treatment, this option takes a while to remove stains. Most will come up after an hour or two. But it’s OK to leave the mixture on the stained area overnight or for a day or two if needed.
Once the stain is gone, begin the clean-up process. Remove the baking soda residue gently. Use fresh water on a damp cloth to cleanse the spot in circular motions. Dry with a second microfiber cloth immediately. Make sure to remove all the moisture. Repeat if streaks persist.
Preventing stains on granite kitchen countertops
The best way to protect granite countertops is to try to avoid cleaning them any more than you have to. A little prevention can go a long way.
The acid in cleaning products isn’t the only danger. Acidic drinks like coffee, pop or orange juice can etch marks into granite countertops. This can happen whether or not you seal the granite. So, use coasters to prevent permanent countertop rings and clean up spills quickly.
Many fruits and vegetables are also highly acidic — citrus fruits, tomatoes, grapes, blueberries, plums and pineapple are among the worst offenders. Protect counters while preparing these foods and wipe up spills right away. Consider using placemats and bigger, more absorbent napkins if kids or spill-prone adults live in the house.
Polishing granite countertops
Over time, a granite countertop can lose its shiny surface. Mineral deposits in the water build up and leave the surface looking dull. When this happens, you need to polish granite to restore its shine.
Polishing granite countertops with specially formulated polishes and surface rejuvenators can help. Make sure the label mentions granite or natural stone, so they won’t contain any of the acidic or corrosive chemicals that can damage granite.
Re-sealing granite countertops
If your granite countertops have lost their shine — or if stubborn stains won’t budge — it’s time to get outside help. It’s likely that either the sealant or the granite is damaged. You must remove a thin layer of damaged stone and sealant to reveal fresh stone underneath.
“Most fabricators will seal the stone with a penetrating sealer at the time of fabrication and that will last five to 10 years,” says Hoye. “If a splash of water does not bead up on the countertop, it is time to re-seal.”
To perform the water test, make the baking soda and hydrogen peroxide paste described earlier in this article and have it close by if you need it.
Then, spoon a few drops of clean water onto the countertop in an out-of-the-way spot. If your seal is strong, the water will bead up immediately. If this happens, wipe it up with a soft cloth. Your countertop has a strong seal and it will be fine for several more years.
But, if the water seeps into the counter’s surface, it will affect the seal. Dry it immediately and thoroughly, applying your baking soda paste to any water stains, if necessary. Then contact your landlord or property manager to write a maintenance request.
Keep your granite going
Granite counters can last for a century. But it’s important to know how to clean granite countertops properly so they can remain smooth and beautiful for decades to come.
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Source: apartmentguide.com