Polish Granite Counter Tops

Taking care of your granite counter tops is easier than you think! Here are some cleaning and protection tips to help ensure that your counter tops keep looking as beautiful as they did when they were first installed.

Steps

Cleaning

1. Practice routine cleaning. Regular maintenance of your granite counter tops will help ensure that you don't have to break out the heavy artillery too often.
   • Do not use anything with vinegar, citrus, or ammonia! The acidity will dull the finish.
   • Use warm to hot water and use a soft cloth.
   • Dry right away to avoid water spots. Use another dry, soft cloth.
2. Buy a good quality granite cleaner, polish, and sealer. These will be necessary for heavier jobs.
   • Important: Make sure you use a stone cleaner that's designed for use on granite. Other types of cleaners can damage your counter tops!
   • Always refer to the instructions for the product you're using as the specifics may vary from product to product.
3. Clean your counter tops thoroughly before using polish. Do this before buffing to remove any food, dust or grime that may have accumulated and could cause stains or scratches.
   • Spray or mist the cleaner on counter tops and let it stand for about a minute (this time may vary depending on the cleaner you're using).
   • Wipe the cleaner off with a soft, cotton cloth.

Polishing

1. Apply the granite polish. Spread it evenly over the counter top.
2. Let the polish stand. Depending on the type of polish you're using this should take roughly 3 to 4 minutes.
3. Buff the counter with a soft, cotton cloth. Be sure to work until the counter is streak-free and has a nice shine.

Sealing

1. Test the granite's finish. They may look nice and shiny, but your counter tops could still be susceptible to damage from water and other liquids.
   • Pour a little bit of water on the granite.
   • If the water beads up quickly, then your job is done.
   • If the water seeps into the stone, then you still have work to do and should continue on to the next step.
2. Apply granite sealer. The sealer should be applied to clean, dry counter tops, so if you just performed the water test, make sure the counter is completely dry before spraying on the sealer.
   • Test the sealer by spraying it on a small, inconspicuous spot on the counter top.
   • Work in small sections to avoid over-spraying, and wipe the sealer evenly and gently across the entire surface.
   • Wipe for approximately 3-5 minutes with a clean, soft, cotton cloth until the counter top is dry.
3. Let the sealer stand for approximately a half hour. This time may vary depending on the product you are using. Make sure to read the instructions carefully.
4. Try the water test again. At this point, pour a little more water on the counter top. If it beads up, then you're finally done. If not, it's time to apply another coat of the sealer and repeat those steps.

Protecting

1. Use coasters. Not every liquid will stain or dull your counter top on contact, but better safe than sorry.
2. Put pot holders or trivets beneath hot pots and pans. The heat probably won't cause any problems (other than burning you if you forget the area is hot), but there may be something abrasive stuck to the bottom of the pot or pan that could scratch the counter top.
3. Use cutting boards. Do this to avoid scratches, and also to avoid dulling your knives.
4. Clean spills immediately. Make sure to blot and wipe. The blotting will make sure that the spill doesn't spread out to a larger area.

Tips

• Routine cleaning and maintenance will ensure the counter top's longevity.
• If you're worried about over-spraying any products and damaging any wood or tile near your counter tops, spray the product directly on to the cloth you're using and wipe it on to the counter top that way.
• If you notice any smearing, stop buffing, wait a minute, and then continue to buff. If the streaking persists, spray on more of your stone polish and immediately buff it to a streak free shine.
• It's recommended that you apply granite sealer once a year.
• Coffee and soda are especially known to dull granite counter tops.

Warnings

• Make sure the room you're working in is well ventilated when working with these cleaning products.
• Using a buffing machine can be harmful to your granite counter tops if you aren't using the right products or do not know what you're doing. Please consult a professional and use high-quality products before you take on this kind of project.
• If the counter tops have just been installed, do not apply any products to them for at least 72 hours.
• Never sit or stand on granite counter tops. Although they're heavy, they are not flexible and could break under the right amount of weight.
• Keep small children and animals away from the surfaces when working with the cleaning products.

Things You'll Need

• Clean, soft, cotton cloths.
• Granite cleaner.
• Granite polish.
• Granite cleaner.

Related Articles

• Protect a Granite Countertop
• Clean Granite Countertops
• Seal Granite Countertops
• Take Care of Granite Countertops

Sources and Citations

• http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/tools-and-techniques/cleaning-your-cooking-area/how-to-clean-granite-countertops2.htm
• http://cleaning.networx.com/info/Granite-Counters-Cleaning/

See also

• Sanitize Kitchen Surfaces
• Clean Burners on a Stove
• Clean Greasy Kitchen Cabinets
• Clean Le Creuset
• Clean Your Kitchen Floor
• Clean Quartz Countertops
• Clean a Coffee Grinder
• Clean Moldy Grout
• Organize a Kitchen
• Remove Coffee Stains from a Stainless Steel Pot

Read more ...

What links here

• Clean Granite Countertops
• Clean Corian Countertops
• Clean Granite Tiles
• Restore Granite and Marble Floor
• Seam Granite
• Take Care of Granite Countertops