Though commonly used as a wound disinfectant, hydrogen peroxide also works wonders on your granite tops. A solution of hydrogen peroxide removes stains without bleaching or discoloring your countertops.
Tackle Tough Stains
In a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup of baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide to form a thick paste. Double the ingredients if the stained area is large. Spread the paste about 1/4-inch thick over the stain and cover with plastic wrap. Tape down the edges of the plastic wrap to hold it in place.
On granite, sandstone, slate, or quartzite, you can use a 1/2 teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide or a few drops of ammonia directly on the stain and remove it with a damp cloth. Use your normal cleaning solution on marble, limestone, onyx, or travertine.
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. Frequent use of these chemicals will dull and weaken the sealant over time. Basically, the harsher the cleaner, the quicker it will break down the sealant.
Here's how to disinfect granite countertops safely. Mix one part water and one part rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle. Spray it on the countertop and let the disinfectant sit for five minutes. Rinse with a damp cloth and buff the granite with a dry microfiber cloth to restore the shine.
Don't dilute the alcohol with water because the alcohol's effectiveness at killing germs drops when it is diluted below 50% concentration. In fact, the most effective concentration for killing bacteria is 60% to 90%. So 70% isopropyl alcohol is the best disinfectant for granite countertops.
The Best Way to Clean Granite Countertops
For increased disinfecting power, add isopropyl alcohol to the mix. Isopropyl or rubbing alcohol provides an excellent solution for killing bacteria and viruses like COVID-19 while preserving the finish and shine of your countertops.
Disinfect: To periodically disinfect your granite countertops, remove soap residue, and restore shine, spray 70% isopropyl alcohol onto your counters. Allow it to sit for three to five minutes, then rinse with water and dry with a clean microfiber cloth.
Clorox and Lysol sprays and wipes are convenient, but they are not safe for granite 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.
The bottom line. Hydrogen peroxide used to be a popular antiseptic for cleaning wounds and treating acne. But it's not a good idea to use it for those purposes, since it can irritate your skin. If you don't want to throw away your brown bottles, you can use hydrogen peroxide to clean and disinfect around the house.
Hydrogen peroxide also kills normal cells within the wound — including healthy skin cells and immune cells — and slows blood vessel formation, all of which are important for wound healing. It's a similar story with rubbing alcohol, another substance commonly thought to help sanitize a wound.
Disadvantages of Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide's chemical composition makes it an unstable substance, decomposing into separate oxygen and water elements with heat release. This characteristic decreases its effectiveness if it comes into contact with surfaces not cleaned before disinfecting.
Hydrogen peroxide is also good for cleaning walls, glass, doorknobs, countertops, toilets, and other hard surfaces.
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.
On light colored stones, clean with bleach or hydrogen peroxide. On dark colored stones, clean with lacquer thinner or acetone. Small amounts can be removed with lacquer thinner or scraped off carefully with a razor blade.
How to Remove Tough Stains From Granite Surfaces. Baking soda is a really wonderful ingredient that is extremely useful for removing stains from granite without damaging the surface with harsh and abrasive chemicals. Step 1: For cleaning oil-based stains, mix baking soda and water to form a paste.
Over time glass cleaner can dull the shine of your granite. And the potential damage to onyx, marble, or limestone is even greater. In addition, glass cleaner my affect your stone sealer. So stay away from Windex for granite and stone counters.
Some cleaners are too abrasive or acidic for granite. Never use vinegar, glass cleaner, or bleach to clean your countertops, as these harsh substances will dull the granite and weaken the sealant. For best results, use Simple Green Granite & Stone Cleaner to ensure your granite counters have been properly cleaned.
The list of best disinfectant for granite countertops is short and alcohol-based. Isopropyl, more commonly known as rubbing alcohol, is considered to be the most widely available and effective disinfectant for granite. Rubbing alcohol is a natural bactericide and can also kill fungus and viruses.
Flush the area with a mix of water and mild dish soap; rinse several times. Dry the area thoroughly with a soft cloth. Repeat as necessary. Avoid harsh cleaners: Granites may contain trace levels of acid-sensitive minerals, so don't use cleaning products containing lemon, vinegar, or other acids.
Mix baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and warm water in a bowl until there is a thick paste. Though commonly used as a wound disinfectant, hydrogen peroxide also works wonders on your granite tops. A solution of hydrogen peroxide removes stains without bleaching or discoloring your countertops.
Pour one-half cup of rubbing alcohol, one-half teaspoon of dish soap, and one-and-a-half cups of warm water into the spray bottle. The disinfecting properties of alcohol, coupled with the de-greasing powers of dish soap, will deliver a one-two punch to banish bacteria and grime from the granite surface.
Scrub the Surface
Frequent use of vinegar, Windex or bleach will dull the granite and weaken the sealant. Instead, a little soap and water should do the trick. Add dish soap and warm water to a sponge, get a good lather and begin cleaning. Avoid using abrasive pads, as granite can be scratched.
However, vinegar should never be used on your granite countertops. Vinegar is made up of acids that can severely harm your granite. Even if it is diluted, vinegar may still leave acids on your granite countertops. This can cause your natural stone countertops to etch.