Clean Granite Countertops
Although granite countertops have become a popular choice for many homeowners, the vast majority are unsure of how to properly clean and maintain the stone’s surface. While you can purchase “granite cleaner” there are other ways you can safely clean and preserve these durable, yet beautiful countertops.
Contents
Steps
Regular Maintenance
- Prepare countertops for proper cleaning. Before you begin to actually clean the countertop, remove excess debris and move appliances or items so you can reach all areas.
- Wipe up any spills or sticky residue on counter. The best way to avoid staining your countertop is to remove liquids or sauces immediately from your countertop. If the liquid has set, use a hot wet rag to loosen and remove the caked on debris.
- Wash with warm soapy water and remove crumbs or other debris. Use a basic soapy rag to clear countertops of remaining crumbs, debris or other matter before you thoroughly clean your countertops.
- Create your homemade granite countertop cleaning formula. Be sure you use cleaners that are pH balanced and include no acid or acidic type chemicals.
- Fill a bucket or your sink with warm clean water. If you can use filtered water, even better.
- Combine mild dish detergent with rubbing alcohol. Mix three parts dish detergent with one part standard rubbing alcohol. Alcohol works well because it has antiseptic and cleaning properties but contains a pH level of 7.0--the same pH level in water. Keep in mind that using too much alcohol can break down sealers, as it is a strong solvent.
- Mix well and allow water to cool slightly. You want water to be very warm, but not scalding or extremely hot. Make sure your soap and alcohol are well mixed for a nice balance.
- Do not use any ammonia, vinegar, or lemon cleaners on granite. Although granite is an extremely tough surface, it is susceptible to acidic formulas, which eat away at its surface. Vinegar, and lemon all contain more acid than is safe for granite.
- Wash counters using a clean white cloth. For best results, use a white cloth, free of excess fibers that could become loose and be left behind on the counter. One possible solution is to use a clean cloth diaper or microfiber cloth.
- Immerse the cloth in the cleaning solution and wipe counters thoroughly. Soak your cloth in the solution, allowing the cleaning fluid to permeate the cloth. Before cleaning the counter wring cloth out to remove excess fluid.
- Run hand over the counter to ensure you’ve removed all debris. Due to the nature of granite counter designs, some stains or leftover debris and stains may not be apparent to the naked eye. However, if you run a clean hand over the countertop surface you may be able to pick up stuck on debris that your cloth may have missed.
- Buff and dry counters thoroughly. Although your counters will be clean, most cleaners may leave streaks if not dried immediately.
- Use a microfiber cloth to dry and buff counters. This will not only remove streaks, but enhance the countertop finish and shine.
- Use a new dry microfiber cloth if the other cloth becomes soggy or wet. A wet cloth won’t allow you to dry the counter so exchange the original cloth for something new.
- Finished.
Cleaning with Baking Soda
- Use baking soda poultices for tough stains. What happens when a dirty spot becomes a stubborn stain, not capable of being washed away simply with your homemade granite cleaner? Use baking soda for more stubborn stains that won't do away after a rub or two.
- Baking soda is renowned as a cleaner. Also called sodium bicarbonate, this versatile cleaner is used for everything from a deodorant and pool cleaner to a toothpaste and fabric cleaner. In addition to these uses, it's an effective cleaning agent on granite.
- Find out what type of stain you think you have. Treating water- and oil-based stains with baking soda works in different ways. If you can, try to find out if your stain is water- or oil-based. This will make your job a lot easier when it comes to mixing your baking soda poultice.
- Mix a baking soda poultice using baking soda. "Poultice" is a fancy word for a soft, moist mixture. Depending on what type of stain you have, here's how you mix your poultice:
- Water-based stains: 1 cup of baking soda, {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} of liquid dish soap, and enough hydrogen peroxide to make the mixture into a yogurt consistency.
- Oil-based stains: 1 cup of baking soda, {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} of liquid dish soap, and enough water to make the mixture into a yogurt consistency.
- Apply the poultice to the spot of the stain on the countertop. Cover the countertop with the poultice, cover the poultice with plastic wrap, and let stand for at least a day before wiping off.
Sealing to Prevent Future Stains
- Seal your granite countertop to prevent stains from seeping into the porous stone. Sealing your granite countertop every couple of years is a good way of making sure that you don't have to clean very much. A granite countertop is properly sealed when water splashed on the surface beads up. When water no longer beads up on the surface of the countertop, it's time to give it a good seal.
- Clean your granite countertop thoroughly with a granite cleaning formula. You can make one of your own, as you might have in Method One, or you can buy one from a specialty store.
- Let the granite dry completely after cleaning before sealing. Give the granite a good 10 to 15 minutes to make sure all moisture has evaporated before moving on to the next step.
- Spray the sealant evenly over the entire surface of the granite. Make sure the sealant covers each area of the granite. In order to ensure this, it's best to use a sealant that has been transferred to a spray bottle.
- Do not wipe the sealant into the granite. Wiping the sealant with a cloth or paper towel absorbs the sealant into the cloth, not into the stone. For best results, resist the urge to wipe the sealant. Let it do its own thing.
- Wait 10 to 15 minutes for the sealant to penetrate the countertop.
- Wipe away any excess sealant after 15 minutes. If you see a haze effect on the surface of the granite, be aware that it cleans off — it won't be permanent. Your granite countertop is now expertly sealed!
- Finished.
Tips
- Avoid using cleaning products that contain any type of acid such as white vinegar, which may scratch or dull the countertops.
- Use a different cleaning approach for certain stains such as: ink or magic marker--rubbing alcohol; oil based stains, grease, cosmetics or tar--acetone; mold/mildew--bleach or hydrogen peroxide; rust--poultice.
- Some stone cleaners come in the form of quick wipes. These make cleaning granite counters quick and easy!
- Use coasters or placemats underneath food and drinks to avoid spills or damage to your countertops.
Warnings
- Avoid placing a hot pan or plate directly on the countertop as it could scorch or burn the surface.
- Soap and water will work but you will eventually end up with a soapy build up on your granite counter tops.
- Clean up spills promptly, before they soak into the granite and become permanent.
Things You'll Need
- Soft white rag or paper towels.
- Sponge.
- Cleaner made for natural stone.
