What Shouldn’t You Use to Clean Granite?
Today, you will find that many homes feature amazing granite countertops in their kitchens and bathrooms. Because granite is durable when it comes to heat, it might surprise you to learn it can be damaged due to a simple cleaning. Using a professional granite cleaner is the easiest and safest way to clean granite, and be sure to avoid the following cleaning methods on granite surfaces and other natural stone.
General Household Cleaners
Common household cleaners and cleaning agents such as bleach, degreasers, ammonia, and bathroom cleaners contain acidic and abrasive materials that are harmful to granite countertops. Various chemicals and acidic materials create these harsh cleaning agents. They dull the professional finish, leading to costly repair and replacement.
Glass Cleaners
Window cleaners and similar products can permanently harm granite countertops. When using these products, dulling will immediately occur. These cleaners can remove the seal on a granite surface, leading to stains and etches, which are costly to repair. If these cleaners are used prior to the granite countertops being sealed, the impregnator or sealer can lose its ability to block stains.
Dish Soap
Dish and hand soaps are not formulated to clean natural stone. They will create a soapy film on granite surfaces due to the amount of water needed to fully remove it. For instance, when washing your hands, you place both of them under running water for an extended time to ensure the cleaning agent has been fully removed. However, when cleaning granite countertops, you will typically use a damp towel or sponge to wipe away any residue from this product. Though many people use this method, it doesn’t actually clean the stone. Check out our professional Granite Gold Daily Cleaner® for a product that’s specially formulated to clean granite.
Natural Acidic Cleaners
Natural cleaners that consist of vinegar, lemon, orange, and other natural acidic items can result in etching on granite countertops. Over time, these cleaning agents will slowly seep into the natural cracks within the stone. This will result in discoloration as well as dulling of the professional finish.
Water
This item can temporarily affect the appearance of granite countertops when used without another cleaning agent. You will notice visible streaks and smudging on the granite surfaces. The great news is that these streaks and smudges are temporary and can be fixed by using an appropriate granite cleaning agent.