To clean granite most often you want to use just a wet rag or paper towel. Make sure the paper towel is sturdy and won't shed or rip apart on you as you wipe. That's why I use Viva® Vantage Paper Towels. I can get them wet and wipe down my granite counters without it falling apart on me.
Cleaning your granite countertops is quite easy, and you only need a few basic items: a large, soft, non-abrasive rag or cloth, paper towels, and mild dish soap.
The only things that can scratch granite are objects that are equally hard or harder than granite. Another rough piece of granite could scratch a granite counter. A diamond ring pressed into the granite and pulled along the surface could also scratch the counter.
Clorox, whether it is Clorox wipes or the Multi-Purpose cleaning fluid, is not safe to use for cleaning and disinfecting your granite. The multi-purpose cleaner contains bleach, which is extremely harmful for granite and many other natural stones.
Repeated use of soapy water will cause build-up and dull your countertop's shine, even though dish soap won't permanently damage your granite. It's not a good idea to regularly use dish soap to clean granite countertops.
Homeowners don't need to worry about damaging their countertops with everyday use because granite is quite heat resistant. Placing a hot pan on a well-maintained granite slab will not cause it to crack or weaken. Just remember that repeatedly placing a very hot pan on the same spot may cause granite to discolor.
Since granite countertops have a sealant on them to keep them shiny and stain-resistant, you want to avoid using anything too acidic or basic on the granite. 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.
Unfortunately, Formula 409 contains many substances that can damage the surface of your granite. So, even if your granite is installed in a bathroom, avoid using traditional bathroom cleansers like this when the time comes to clean your stone.
Saturate the granite surface with dish-rag soaked with hot soapy water and leave it for some time. With little pressure and cleaning, some scratches will fade. Rinse once or twice with hot water. Light superficial scratches will disappear, a deeper scratch will remain as is.
All acidic foods are dangerous for granite countertops, including citrus juice, wine, vinegar, and beauty products like nail polish remover. Acids can etch the surface, degrading its seal and exposing the vulnerable stone underneath to more stains.
Granite is one of the hardest stone surfaces you can buy and is not easily susceptible to scratches, especially those from knives or other kitchen utensils. However, scratches can occur, and will often show up more readily on lighter-colored stones.
It's a great product, but not for your granite!
Probably one of the easiest items to use are wipes—which are particularly popular for brands such as Clorox or Lysol. Sure, they are convenient, but you should keep them far away from your granite countertops.
Dry with a microfiber cloth to avoid streaking: Dry and buff your granite countertop thoroughly with a microfiber cloth or soft terry cloth towel to avoid streaking. Disinfect: To periodically disinfect your granite countertops, remove soap residue, and restore shine, spray 70% isopropyl alcohol onto your counters.
Since the thermal conductivity for stone is high, the heat will move quickly through the stone and away from you, similar to how running water flows through a funnel faster than it would through a sponge. The sense of coolness that you feel happens because the heat is flowing out of your body and through the stone.
Magic Erasers are abrasive, so avoid using them on delicate countertops such as marble and granite. Not only can you damage the sealant but the eraser may make the countertop appear dull. All of these cleaning products can cause more harm than good.
Bar Keepers Friend Granite & Stone Cleaner & Polish is specially formulated for use on smooth, polished stone – including granite, marble, and quartz.
Steps For An Expert Clean
Dilute ¼ cup of Pine-Sol® in a gallon of warm water. Wipe down granite with a sponge or mop soaked in the solution. Scrub stubborn stains with full strength Pine-Sol®. Use a cleaning brush or plastic scrub pad rather than a harsh scouring pad, which can scratch unsealed granite.
What Happens If You Don't Seal Granite Countertops? If you don't use a granite sealer on your countertops (or you wait too long before resealing granite countertops), they will: Absorb food, grease, and liquids — causing set-in stains on your countertop. Absorb water — making the countertop always look dirty.
According to Trulia Design Panel's trend predictions released last month, granite countertops are out. And in a kitchen trends survey conducted by Houzz, the home remodeling and design resource found that granite is no longer the most popular countertop material.
While granite is tough and can handle a lot of weight, granite technicians highly discourage sitting or standing on them. If you have to stand or sit on the countertops, place sturdy plywood on the counters where you will now stand or sit on.
In addition to washing dishes, Dawn Powerwash can be used to clean sinks and hard surfaces, including stainless steel, light and dark granite, porcelain enamel, Corian solid surface and quartz.
Rubbing alcohol is a natural bactericide and can also kill fungus and viruses. It has no ill effects on your granite or the seal on your granite so it's an ideal way to keep countertops clean.
No, you can't use disinfecting wipes on granite countertops. This is because disinfecting wipes contain citric acid as their primary ingredient. This is highly acidic and weakens the seal on your countertop's surface leaving them vulnerable to stains and discoloration.