Resealing granite prevents permanent damage to the stone and restores the original, factory shine. There are many sealers to choose from, but your granite countertops retailer should recommend the best product for your exact variety of stone.
Buff the granite with cooking oil to provide shine and stain resistance. Apply cooking oil to a clean cloth, then make circular motions across the surface of the countertop. Use gentle pressure as you buff the surface.
To put a shine on your granite, pour a little cooking oil on a soft cleaning cloth and wipe it across the countertop. Buff it gently. This makes the counter a little bit stain-resistant and gives it a glossy shine. Even if you know how to clean countertops correctly, your granite will need to be resealed periodically.
For example, hard water deposits, food debris, calcium deposits, grease and soap residue can build up on the surface over the course of years, and you probably won't notice. This build up causes the stone to deflect light rather than reflect it, which makes the countertop appear less shiny.
Granite is a composite of magma and different kinds of minerals such as quartz, feldspar, amphiboles, and mica. The mineral mica is found in a lot of granite, and it is one of the things that gives granite a shimmery shine in certain places.
Wait 24 Hours Before Polishing
Granite polish should only be applied once the seal has cured and the surface is dry and clean. Spray Granite Gold Polish® directly onto the surface and buff into the stone with a dry paper towel or lint-free cloth, then wipe dry.
While a cloudy film on your granite countertops can be alarming and annoying, it's a very common occurrence in natural stone countertops. A cloudy film is mostly caused by a build-up of substances on the top layer of porous stone but can also be caused by poor sealing methods and by using the wrong cleaners.
Polishing granite enhances the beauty of the stone and refreshes the sheen.It will also provide a protective coating as well as enhance the natural color of the stone. Polishing also helps to prevent dulling, rings and streaks. It's important to use polishes specifically designed for granite for best results.
For a deeper-cleaning solution, fill a spray bottle with a 50/50 mix of rubbing alcohol and water; housekeeping and organization expert Amanda Thomas, founder of Moxie Girl, says the spray cleaner gives granite surfaces a nice shine. A combination like this can also help eliminate germs and disinfect granite surfaces.
As good as a cleaner for windows and other glass surfaces, Windex has some elements on its compositions that can permanently damage granite when used for a long time. For that reason, you should never use Windex on granite.
Typically, granite should be resealed every 12 to 18 months. Nevertheless, there are some other factors that come into play when determining how often to reseal granite countertops. For example, a lighter colored granite will need to be resealed more often because it is typically more porous.
Luckily, everything you'll need to clean your hard surfaces can already be found in your home: Concentrated dish soap that's tough on stains and grease while staying gentle on stainless steel, granite, and glassware, like Dawn® Platinum Powerwash Dish Spray. Soft cloth and sponge.
Clorox and Lysol sprays and wipes are convenient, but they are not safe for granite countertops. They rarely contain bleach, but they do generally contain citric acid to help remove soap scum. Avoid using bleach as well.
For regular granite cleaning, the best cleaner is nothing more sophisticated than mild dish soap diluted with water. (You can also make a homemade granite cleaner made with a base of rubbing alcohol.) Wet a sponge with water from the tap and squirt dish soap into its center. Bear in mind that granite scratches easily.
Rock Doctor Granite and Quartz Polish is the best polishing agent for granite and other natural stone surfaces. If you are looking for a product that both keeps your granite's glossy finish intact and protects the stone from moisture, look no further than the Rock Doctor Granite and Quartz Polish.
After shaping a granite edge, it is ready to polish. Polishing is usually done either wet or dry. Wet polishing is done with water; dry polishing without water. Wet polishing will usually give an excellent polish in the least time for most stones.
A standard sealer will help generate a shiny finish that reflects more light than an unsealed surface. An enhancing sealer will create a shiny, wet look. For a brighter-looking surface, a granite polish will work best. Polishing creates a very glossy, shiny granite surface that really stands out.
You don't want to apply sealant too often. If you do, sealant will pool on the surface instead of absorbing into the stone. This will create a dull surface coating that makes your countertop less attractive. The surface coating is easier to damage than the granite, so you might notice scratches and burns.
Your best bet is to use a stone-specific cleaner. There are a number of good makers of stone cleaners. Another option is to simply use a high quality microfiber cloth (and yes, the quality does matter) with plain, everyday water. And, whatever you do DON'T use a vinegar solution.
There are several different reasons for cloudy-looking granite, but the most common is simply because they're not completely clean. Grease from food prep or cooking splatters can get smeared across your countertops, making it look hazy.