Is It Necessary to Polish Granite Counters?

The women's restrooms at one of the busiest transit hubs in the world recently got a makeover that included granite countertops. On the second floor of the New York City Port Authority Bus Terminal, female passengers now enjoy the convenience of large mirrors, bright lighting, and long granite countertops where they can touch up their makeup on their way to work or school. Port Authority officials chose dark granite with attractive veining and a polished finish to replace old laminate counters that had become hopelessly stained after decades of enduring mascara, lipstick, and face powder spills. According to a recent article published by the New York Times, a dedicated cleaning crew has been contracted to care for the new bathroom countertops, and it’s safe to assume polishing will be part of the maintenance routine. Here’s why you should also polish the granite counters in your home. The Importance of Polishing Granite Honed and polished finishes are the most popular options for granite tiles and slabs. With this in mind, polishing is highly recommended if you wish to keep your stone surfaces looking good. That glossy look is seldom seen when granite blocks are extracted from quarries. It takes a fair amount of friction and honing to achieve a nice and even shine, which is meant to be augmented by means of polishing. Aside from maintaining the visual appeal of the finish, polishing granite also helps in terms of protecting your investment because the coat will repeal some substances to a certain extent. In other words, polishing is an ideal complement to sealing. Interested to know how to maintain the polish on granite and other types of natural stone? Watch this video: The Best Time to Polish Granite How often you polish is a personal choice—it depends on how frequently you’d like to enhance the shine and luster, plus it prevents fingerprints and water spots. Another option is to polish following sealing. Use a granite cleaner such as Granite Gold Daily Cleaner® before applying Granite Gold Sealer®, which should be worked into the stone in 3-foot sections and allowed to sit on the surface for 24 hours. You can apply polish once the coat of sealant has cured. If you’re a busy homeowner, you may be interested in Granite Gold Clean & Shine®, which saves you time by allowing you to polish at the same time you clean. The Proper Way to Polish Granite When using a granite polish such as Granite Gold Polish®, simply spray the polish right on the surface and buff with a circular motion, using a paper towel or lint-free cloth. Make sure it’s evenly distributed as you buff it until you get the desired shine. In lieu of spraying, you can also use Granite Gold Polish Wipes® for greater convenience. If you have additional questions about polishing granite, marble, slate, and all other types of natural stone, reach out to the Stone Care Experts at Granite Gold®. Call one of our knowledgeable representatives at 1-800-475-STONE (7866), and follow us on Instagram for regular updates on caring for natural stone and quartz.