How To Clean Granite Countertops Properly: Dos and Don’ts

Granite countertops are a popular choice for both kitchens and bathrooms, and rightfully so, judging by their beauty, durability and ease of maintenance. Part of the popularity of granite comes from the range of colors and shades that can complement your existing décor. Knowing how to clean a granite countertop will help you to understand exactly the best way to care for it and keep it beautiful for a lifetime.

How To Clean A Granite Countertop

Granite is a naturally created stone that forms under the Earth’s crust. Granite is typically cut into slabs, usually ¾-inch or 1 ¼-inch thick. There are thousands of colors and patterns of granite to choose from, which is a large part of its appeal. 

Granite also happens to be one of the hardest stones available, making it perfect for a heavy-use surface area such as a kitchen counter. However, granite is a porous stone, meaning that it must be sealed in order to repel staining from spills and accidents that are common in the kitchen. This sealing isn’t a “one-and-done” process, though. Instead, it must be repeated from time to time and thus falls under the category of maintenance. 

Knowing how to properly clean granite countertops is vitally important. Stains in a kitchen workspace are common, so it’s imperative to tend to them ASAP. 

There are three different types of stains that can mar the surface of a granite countertop.

Oil Stains

As a typical type of stain that occurs in the kitchen, an oil stain can come from any number of cooking oils, including olive, canola, and vegetable. Promptly blotting oil stains with paper towels or a soft sponge and following up with a high-quality granite cleaner like Granite Gold® Daily Cleaner® can protect your granite from damage. If an oil stain makes it past the protective seal, however, a mixture of baking soda and acetone might be necessary to rectify the staining. 

Organic Stains

This includes stains from food products (typically coffee, curry and other spices, red wine, etc.), but also can be animal urine, or plant runoff (soil and dirt). A bleach-based product, or even bleach on a soft cloth applied to the area for 24 hours can remedy this type of damage. Be sure to immediately rinse the surface once complete.

Rust Stains

Rust stains aren’t common maladies on granite countertops, but they are certainly unsightly ones. While some rust stains must be dealt with by a professional, others can be cured by applying 3%-4% hydrogen peroxide to the affected area and allowing it to sit for 24 to 48 hours, followed by rinsing with clean water.

Dos and Don’ts of Cleaning Granite Countertops

There are a few things to keep in mind when cleaning and maintaining your granite countertops; conversely, there are some things that you should make sure to avoid.

Use a Sealant

As we know, granite is a porous material. A sealant should be applied to prevent spills from staining the surface. Sealing is a process that should be repeated on a regular basis, as it needs to be renewed periodically in order to maintain its protective qualities.

Keep in Mind Preventative Strategies

Using coasters for drinkware (particularly red wine glasses and coffee mugs) and cooking products (oils, vinegar, and acidic juices) will help mitigate staining.

Avoid Damaging Materials

Hot pots/pans and utensils, along with sharp objects such as knives, can easily damage the surface of your granite. Additionally, soap and water, ammonia, vinegar, and acidic juices can permanently damage granite countertops, as can any type of coarse cleaning cloth or sponge. When cleaning, opt for soft towels, wipes or sponges as well as stone-safe cleaners like Granite Gold® Clean & Shine, which combines cleaner and polish to easily remove spills and soils while enhancing the appearance of the granite.

Clean Your Granite Countertops Properly with Granite Gold®

For maintaining the beauty and integrity of your granite countertops, using the right products is paramount. The best types of commercial cleaning products for granite countertops are those from reputable companies with decades of experience behind them. A quality granite cleaning product must be food safe, pH balanced, allow easy application with the ability to clean deeply without damaging the luster of the granite.

When it comes to decades of experience on granite countertop maintenance, nobody beats Granite Gold. Our products are created by stone care experts and are a necessary part in your home maintenance routine. 

To learn more about Granite Gold’s premium products, call 800-475-7866 or visit GraniteGold.com.

Sources

The Healthy Journal - What Products Should Not be Used on Granite?

HGTV - How To Clean Granite Countertops and Make Them Shine

The Home Depot - How to Clean Granite Countertops