If you can't find specialized cleaning solutions designed especially for natural stone, mild dish soap will do just fine. Wet a soft, preferably microfiber rag in warm water and gently rub the soap on the surface of the counter.
If after a few minutes the water has soaked into the granite, then it's time to reseal the stone. DON'T: Use harsh or abrasive cleaners and sponges. Windex; acidic cleaners, like vinegar, lemon, lime; or anything with ammonia or bleach should be avoided.
Windex contains ingredients that can permanently damage the granite. While the most common damage done by Windex is dulling the shine of the countertops, it can also cause pitting.
Clean stone surfaces with warm water and a mild soap such as a clear Dawn Liquid Soap. Do not use products that contain lemon, vinegar or other acids on marble or limestone. Rinse the surface thoroughly after washing with the soap solution and dry with a soft cloth. Change the rinse water frequently.
The multi-purpose cleaner contains bleach, which is extremely harmful for granite and many other natural stones. The wipes are also a cleaner you should stay away from, as they contain citric acid that can cause your sealant to wear down.
Do use a mild detergent soap. Regular Dawn or other dish soaps work well. Do use a soft cloth. No special tools needed here: a soft cloth will help remove all grime and dirt without damaging countertops.
Clean stone surfaces with a few drops of neutral cleaner, stone soap (specific products from Lithofin for example), or a dishwashing detergent and warm water. Use a clean soft cloth for best results. Too much cleaner or soap may leave a film and cause streaks.
Vinegar spells trouble for granite countertops (and any other natural stone countertop). The acid in vinegar wears away at the protective sealant that prevents spills from penetrating the stone and causing permanent stains. In addition, over time vinegar can cause etching in the granite itself.
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.
The short answer is “yes, but you probably shouldn't.” Because of granite's heat tolerance, you can take a hot pan directly out of the oven and put it directly on your countertop. Granite is naturally heat resistant, and heat damage would occur only if the granite was heated unevenly.
Prevention is one of the best ways to care for your natural stone countertops. Use coasters, trivets, and cutting boards to prevent staining, scorching, and etching. If spills occur, clean them up immediately by blotting, not wiping to avoid spreading the mess. And, never stand, kneel, or sit on your countertops.
Do Not Use On Granite or Marble. If you have soft surface countertops like granite or marble, step away from the magic eraser. You can use them on laminate, Corian, quartz, and other solid surface countertops, but do a spot check.
Then grab your cloth of choice—most kitchen towels are fine, as are microfiber cloths. Add some dish soap, and dampen the cloth with warm water. Wipe down the counter, and reapply dish soap if the suds run out before you finish the whole counter. Afterward, thoroughly rinse out your cloth until the soap is gone.
Apply a paste of baking soda and water over the stain and leave it for 24 hours. Gently scrub the area and rinse it with plain water. Stains on Sandstone pavers, Travertine floor tiles, and Marble floors can easily be cleaned with a baking soda solution.
To maintain the luster and shine of your natural stone, use a stone-safe polish about once a week. To polish stone, simply spray the polish directly onto the surface, then buff the surface until it's dry with a lint-free cloth or dry paper towel.
Daily granite countertop care is as easy as cleaning with a gentle cleanser like Murphy's Oil Soap or mild dishwashing liquid. If needed you can use a synthetic scrubbing pad to clean your granite counter.
Fancy cleaners aren't necessary for cleaning granite counters on a daily basis. You really only need three things: Warm water, mild dishwashing liquid and a microfiber cloth. Tip: Make sure your dishwashing liquid doesn't contain citrus extracts, as they're too acidic for granite countertops.
Instead, one of the best ways to clean granite naturally is to reach for mild dish soap. Thomas advises cleaning granite countertops daily with a damp rag and a mild dishwashing liquid and drying surfaces with a microfiber towel. Drying is a crucial step because it helps eliminate pesky water spots.
If it isn't sealed, natural stone is porous – which means grease and grime can penetrate the surface if not cleaned properly. To avoid damaging your countertops, wipe the countertop daily with a damp microfiber cloth. You may need to use a cleaner to remove stains and grime.
A little care goes a long way — It's easy to take care of your LivingStone Surface. Use soapy water or an ammonia-based cleaner. Rinse and wipe dry. Wipe surfaces dry immediately after spills or cleaning.
Maintenance & Cleaning:
Clean your countertop with a few drops of mild dishwashing detergent and warm water. Use a clean cloth for best results. Rinse the surface thoroughly after washing with the soap solution and dry with a soft cloth. Change the rinse water frequently.