Granite Cleaning: Maintaining Your Investment

Granite countertops are a great way to invest in your home and even increase the value of your home, so granite cleaning is just as important.  Popular in kitchens and bathrooms because of its ability to resist almost all acids and scratches, granite countertops are in now in many homes. 

Because of the course-grained nature of granite, stains and other deposits can sit in its pores and easily build up, making the proper granite cleaning essential to the well-being  of your granite countertops.  

Many know that granite countertops add more than just aesthetic value to your home, so why not invest in your granite cleaning?  The key to reaping the additional benefits of those beautiful granite countertops is to stay on top of your granite cleaning and granite care.  There are ways to handle certain spills along with daily granite cleaning that will have you well on your way to sparkling granite countertops.  This article on Lovetoknow.com can have you on your way to being a granite cleaning pro!

Granite Countertop Maintenance

 Granite countertops are an investment in your home. To ensure that they continue to look great and improve the value of your home for years, follow a proper maintenance schedule. Learning the best ways to remove stains, seal the stone and clean it on a daily basis will keep your granite in its just installed state.

Granite Countertop Maintenance Tips

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. With the proper maintenance, granite countertops  stay new-looking for a long time. Here are easy steps to follow:

1. Wipe up spills immediately
2. Use mild soap and water
3. Rinse
4. Use soft cloth to dry

Removing Stains

Unfortunately, a lived-in kitchen will eventually experience a stain or two even on your granite counter. How to remove the stain will depend on what caused the stain. Use the suggestions found on the following chart:

Most Stains:

• 1 cup flour, 1-2 T mild dishwashing soap, create a thick paste by mixing with water
• Apply to stain, cover overnight with plastic wrap, in the morning scrape mixture from stain with wooden utensil and rinse.

Oil Based Stains:

• 1 cup flour, 1-2 T mild hydrogen peroxide, form a thick paste by mixing with water
• Apply to stain, cover overnight with plastic wrap, in the morning scrape mixture from stain with wooden utensil and rinse.

Organic Stains:

• Combine 12 percent hydrogen peroxide with 2-3 drops of ammonia
• This should help to remove stains like coffee and tea.

Ink:

• For dark granite use lacquer thinner or acetone and for light granite hydrogen peroxide
• Apply to stain

Wine:

• Make a mixture of molding plaster and bleach until it becomes a paste
• Apply to stain for 30 minutes, remove and rinse

Resealing Granite Countertops

Before you reseal your granite countertops, check with the manufacturer or installer to be sure it is necessary. Most granite counters do need to be re-sealed on an annual basis, but not all of them require this.

However, for those that do require sealing to retain the color and clarity of the granite counter top, it is necessary to reseal the counter every six months to two years. Check with your installer to find what they recommend. How much you use your kitchen will play a part in how often it needs to be re-sealed. When you do re-seal, be sure to choose a non-toxic sealer, since counters are used for food preparation.

Two Types of Sealers

Two types of sealers can be found on the market. A penetrating sealer penetrates into the stone. The second, a topical sealer, does not penetrate but instead coats the top of the counter’s surface.

• Penetrating sealers: Protecting the structure of natural stone, a penetrating sealer absorbs into the granite for three or four minutes. When almost dry, add a little more sealer to the counter and rub with a soft, dry rag. Apply to a section at a time. Wait two hours and apply a second coat. When shopping for your sealer, look for one that says it is an oil repellent impregnator, which will help stop oil from seeping into the stone.
• Topical sealers: These sealers form a film designed to protect the countertop’s surface. Usually made from some form of natural wax, acrylic, and other plastic compounds. Topical sealers come in two types: strippable and permanent. Strippable sealers are made to be stripped or removed from the stone countertop with little work. Most often, often permanent sealers are not recommended for granite. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations when deciding what type of sealer is right for your counters.

Water Spill Test

Once you’ve sealed your counter, test it to be sure that it is adequately sealed. As a test, spill a little water on your countertop and leave it set. After 30 minutes, wipe it up. If the water leaves your counter darkened, the granite is not sufficiently sealed.

Warnings and Cautions for Countertop Maintenance

Because granite is so durable, it’s easy to think you can use anything on it. However, this is not true if you really want to keep your counters in good condition. Avoid products with ingredients that include lemon, vinegar or other acids. In fact, it’s a good idea to use coasters to protect your counter under glasses containing acidic drinks like alcohol or citrus juices.

And as a final note on granite countertop maintenance, remember that even though you can use harsher chemicals to clean your counter, doing so may dull or even etch the counter’s finish. Stick with milder solutions and retain that natural beauty you fell in love with in the first place. Once you’ve applied a topical sealer, your maintenance really shifts to maintenance of the sealer.

 Essentially, appropriate granite cleaning comes down to knowing how to handle spills and keeping up with the resealing of your granite countertops.  Granite cleaning is easy and can be done with the help of the right granite countertop sealer and things from around your house.  Here is a recipe for a homemade granite cleaning concoction:

• ¼ cup of rubbing alcohol (or even vodka will do the trick)
• 3 drops of dish detergent
• 1 cup of water
• Also add a bit of essential oils to help make granite cleaning a pleasant experience for your nose!

Mix all of these ingredients into a spray bottle and you’ll get that perfect streak-free granite cleaning every time.  And just to be safe with your cleaner, make sure that before you go granite cleaning crazy, you should test your granite cleaning mix on a small spot on your granite countertop.  This can also be a great way to save money on granite cleaning, since store bought granite cleaning products can get pricey. 

Granite countertops are more durable than most countertops, but even just a little of your attention to granite cleaning is worth your time and energy.  Granite cleaning can really pay off, because by keeping up with granite cleaning, you are protecting your investment.  Good luck and we hope these granite cleaning tips help you keep your granite countertops spotless!