Scrubbing away stains from a granite countertop is a required household chore we all need to do at one point or another. Cooking meals, preparing lunches for ourselves or our families, a spill is pretty much inevitable and we need to be equipped with the proper cleaning tools to tackle any accumulated dirt and grime. There are a few different ways that you can handle your granite with the necessary care that not only keep your countertops looking spick and span but also successfully remove those stains. Understanding how to clean granite countertops correctly will help you and your expensive counters in the long run.
What Cleaning Products To Avoid
Avoid using any citrus-based cleaning solutions or natural ingredients, including lemon, lime, vinegar, and the like. This also includes soap with any citrus. Staying away from these solutions will help keep your granite from breaking down any sealants. Don’t use anything too abrasive like rough scrubbing pads, bleach, or ammonia either because these products are damaging to your granite as well.
How To Clean Granite Countertops
A few different methods can be used to properly rid that grime and here are some of the best solutions to turn to.
Mild Dish Soap
- Water
- Mild dish soap
- Soft cloth
- Terrycloth towel
Soak your soft cloth with water and apply a dollop of dish soap like Dawn. Lather up a little bit until the soap makes its way throughout the cloth and then tackle your stains. Wipe away any stains or crumbs until you’re left with a sparkling countertop. Rinse out your cloth and thoroughly dry the granite with the terrycloth towel.
Baking Soda Poultice
- Baking soda
- Water
- Plastic wrap
If you need to remove any deep-rooted stains you can apply a poultice (a paste-like substance) of baking soda and water that’s relatively thick in consistency. Apply the mixture to a stain and cover it with plastic wrap for 1-2 days and then remove. Tape down the sides of the plastic wrap to ensure it remains in place. The baking soda should lift the dirt from your granite.
Isopropyl Alcohol
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Water
- Soft cloth
- Terrycloth towel
Create a 50:50 mixture of isopropyl alcohol and water, soak your soft cloth with the solution and wipe your counters down. Clean until you lift any grime from the surface and then dry with a terrycloth towel to avoid streaking.
Tips For Future Protection
When you first get your granite countertops installed they should already have a coating of sealant on them, but reapplying your sealant every few years keeps the protective layer intact. You should really leave the job to professionals (or someone who’s well-versed in projects around the home) and reseal your granite every two to four years for the best results. Testing whether your granite is already sealed is as simple as dropping water onto the surface. If your water droplets seep into the granite then you know it’s time to reseal, but if it sits on top without soaking in, you know you’re all good.
Use cutting boards or placemats when you’re handling food in order to prevent anything from spilling onto your countertops.
Healthy maintenance of your kitchen will help keep things clean and in tip-top shape for your next dinner!
