Cleaning granite countertops is not that complicated. However, if you use the wrong techniques, you might ruin your countertops. Keep reading to learn the best tips to keeping your granite countertops pristine and looking beautiful.
Since the early 2000s, granite countertops have dominated our kitchens. It isn’t surprising because it can immediately make your Oak Brook kitchen look classy and sophisticated. However, many people are not aware of how to clean their granite countertops.
General Tips on How To Clean Granite Countertops
For daily cleaning, you should follow these proven practices below to keep your countertop in its top condition.
Remove Everything on Top Of Your Granite Countertop
First of all, you have to remove all the stuff on top of your countertop. This might seem like a no-brainer but many people try to clean their countertop with all sorts of items on it.
The downside of doing this is you are just cleaning only the exposed areas. In the long run, you might notice your whole granite countertop has an uneven look.
Avoid Harsh Chemicals At All Costs
When cleaning your granite countertops, be as gentle as possible. Stay away from harsh chemical and rough scrubbing tools. Using vinegar is not your best option as well. Before using any product, check the labels first and see if it contains ammonia, citric acid or bleach.
To stay on the safe side, you can always use water and your usual dish soap. As much as possible, look for eco-friendly products and invest in quality microfiber cloth.
- Use warm water and a couple of drops of your dish soap
- Wet your cloth
- Wipe the whole surface of your granite countertop
- Dry it to avoid water spots
Purchase Special Cleaning Products For Granite Countertops
Bear in mind that there are special products specially made for granite. If you want to give your kitchen some extra love, buy these instead. You can easily spot these cleaners at your local grocery store.
Create Your Homemade Cleaner
Good news because you can always use a homemade cleaner using ingredients you can find from your home. You can do this by mixing half rubbing alcohol and water. You can even add 20 drops of essential oil to keep your kitchen and granite countertop smelling good. In addition, this is a great mixture to use to disinfect your countertop.
Don’t Let Spills Sit On Your Countertop
While granite is better than marble in terms of being less porous, you still shouldn’t let stains sit for a long time. Make sure to wipe spills off as soon as you can. This will prolong the pristine look of your granite countertop.
Check Your Granite’s Sealant
You better make sure that your granite countertop is sealed. In most cases, new installations will come with a layer of sealant that wears off after two to four years. You can either reseal your countertop on your own or hire a professional.
The latter is more practical to ensure that your countertop is perfectly sealed. However, if you are confident about your skills, then feel free to do it on your own.
Don’t Flood It With Water
Too much water can cause discoloration to your granite countertop. The solution is to use a small amount of water when cleaning. As always, dry it properly. Remember, water can only affect your countertop if you leave it on there for a long time.
Removing Stains From Granite Countertop
Cleaning your granite countertop every day should keep it in good condition. However, there could be instances where it could have stains, and deep cleaning is necessary. Don’t be in a rush when removing these stains because you might damage the natural stone. Follow the tips below instead.
Use Baking Soda
Baking soda is a must in every household. If you’ve been reading cleaning tips for quite some time, you would probably notice that baking soda is always one of the key ingredients in keeping the home clean.
Baking soda can clean almost everything. The best part is that it’s gentle and nonabrasive. If the stain is oil-based, you need to add water and make a paste out of it. The best solution for water-based stains is adding baking soda to hydrogen peroxide.
Apply the Mixture on Your Granite Countertop
Now that you have your solution, you may now apply it to your countertop. Just remember to use a soft cloth and be gentle when wiping. The best way to remove the stains using your cloth is to work on a circular motion. You can repeat the process to altogether remove the stain.
Leave the Solution Overnight
If the stain does not remove even after constantly wiping and rubbing the granite, it’s best to leave the solution overnight. To do this, apply another layer of your cleaning mixture and cover the area with plastic wrap. Tape the edges and wait for a few hours. From here, you can wipe it using your soft cloth and see if the stain is already removed.
Use a Razor Blade
You read that right! You can also remove stains from your beautiful granite countertop using a razor blade. This is effective if you wish to scrape gunks or build-ups. You have to do this carefully, though, so as not to scratch the surface of your granite.
When done, rinse and wipe it dry.
Keep Your Granite Countertop Shiny
Congratulations, you now know how to clean and disinfect your countertop. However, most people still want to make it look shiny. In that case, the solution is quite easy.
You can always apply a small amount of cooking oil and spread it over your countertop using a gentle cloth.
Get Professional Help if You Don’t Know How To Clean Granite Countertops
Scared that you might ruin your precious granite? We fully understand your concern.
The best solution is to ask professionals to do the cleaning for you. Just make sure that your cleaning services are top-notch. Helping Hands Cleaning Services in Oak Brook IL is one of the best to handle all your cleaning needs. For appointments or to request a quote, call (630) 530-1324.