Keeping your granite countertops clean and lustrous is easy. With minimum maintenance, your granite countertops will stay as beautiful as the first day they were installed. The best way to keep your granite countertops clean is to wipe spills before they have a chance to become stains. Often time, a simple mixture of soap and water is all that is needed to keep your countertop looking its best. Make sure to wipe your granite countertops dry to prevent having water spots. Never use harsh chemicals, abrasive cleaners and sponges to clean your countertop.
Granite countertops cleaning basics
To clean your granite countertops you will need a soft cloth or sponge, a bowl of warm water, neutral dishwashing liquid (PH balanced), a microfiber cloth for wiping off excess soap and water and a natural stone or granite cleaner like Weiman® Granite cleaner and polish or Granite Gold®. Mix a few drops of soaps dishwashing liquid with warm water in a bowl. Mix the solution until suds form. Wet your sponge or soft cloth with the warm water/soap solution and wipe your granite countertops surfaces thoroughly. Rinse off your sponge/soft cloth with hot water thoroughly and wipe away any sudsy residue from granite countertops surfaces. Repeat this process until to remove residue and excess water. Finish by wiping dry the surface with the microfiber cloth.
Periodically, we recommend that you clean you granite countertops with a granite / natural stone cleaner to restore luster.
In caring for your granite countertops, be especially wary of soda and coffee spills that can dull the surface of your countertop overtime. Do not use vinegar, ammonia or citrus cleaners. Their PH is too acidic and can dull your countertop’s shine. Granite is made to the withstand heat of a hot pot, but it is always recommended to use a coaster to avoid sliding the pan on the countertop which can it turn cause scratching.
How to remove stains from your granite countertops
Granite is a hard, scratch resistant, semi porous natural stone. Consequently, it can stain, so time is of the essence when there is a spill. It is better to blot a stain than to rub it to avoid spreading the stain. The longer the stain sits on your countertop, the harder it will be to remove. The following technique will help you remove most stains from your countertop. You will need hydrogen peroxide, powdered whiting product like talc, water, plastic wrap, tape, cloth or sponge and a small bowl. To start, you will have to make a poultice out of the powdered whiting and hydrogen peroxide. Stir the two together until you get a thick paste with the consistency of putty. The poultice will absorb the stain from your granite countertops. This process may take some time depending on the stain. Apply the paste (1/4 inch thick) only the stained area. Cover the stain with the plastic wrap and tape down the edges. Keep the stain covered until the paste is completely dry (could take up to 48 hours). Once dry, removed the plastic wrap and wipe away the paste. Rinse the area with clean warm water. This process may need to be repeated until the stain is completely gone.