How to Clean Granite Counters

Your brand-new, gleaming granite countertops will pull double-duty for many years to come. They’ll not only enhance the beauty and sophistication of your kitchen, but the durable material will hold up under whatever activities to which you subject it. It’s important, however, to clean the granite countertops regularly to ensure your safety.

Cleaning tips

Here’s how to maintain and clean the surface:

• Avoid using harsh cleaners on the countertops. Don’t use strong chemical cleaners — products like Windex, bleach and any cleaners that are acidic (such as products that contain lemon or vinegar) — on the counters or they could damage the seal with time. Generally speaking, the harsher the chemical you use on the counters, the quicker it will deteriorate.
• Use the right cleaners. The best materials to use on the surface are a mild soap, warm water and a very soft cloth. Microfiber dish cloths are ideal for daily use, as they won’t damage the surface.
• Clean it up. If you spill food or liquid on the counters, clean it up promptly to avoid inadvertently altering the look of the surface.
• Disinfect when necessary. Every so often, you should disinfect the counters, especially if you prepare foods like raw chicken or red meats on the counters on it. A well-sealed counter won’t be subject to bacteria itself; however, e coli and bacteria will harbor on the surface if it’s not treated. Try using very hot water and mild dish soap for daily disinfecting. Make sure you wear rubber gloves to protect your hands from the heat.
• Occasional deep cleaning. Every once in awhile, you may want to conduct a deep, thorough cleaning of the counters. In this case, you can use a solution of half water and half isopropyl alcohol. Use a spray bottle and cover the surface with the solution. Let the mixture sit for up to five minutes. Then, rinse the counter and finish up by running a dry cloth over the surface.
• Choose granite cleaners wisely. Granite counter manufacturers often create products safe to use on the surfaces. Talk to your supplier before choosing one of these cleaners, as you should ensure that the manufacturer recommends it for cleaning. Otherwise, using a non-recommended cleaner could void your warranty.

Get down to cleaning!

Once your counters are installed and you’re actively using them, here are the steps to follow to keep them clean:

• Fill a bucket with warm water and add mild dish soap, and swish the mixture around.
• Dip a soft rag into the water to get it wet.
• Start wiping the countertops, beginning with the back of the counters and working in large, sweeping motions, from left to right. Slowly move the rag toward the front of the counter, working in sections across the kitchen.
• Take the dry microfiber cloth and run it over all of the counter’s surface. Essentially, the rag will act as a buffer while removing leftover moisture.
• If you want to also disinfect the counters, do it now that the counter is clean. Spray it down with the 50-50 solution of water and alcohol, rinse the counters and the repeat the drying process.

Clean granite countertops make for a beautiful surface. It doesn’t take a lot of work, but daily cleaning and occasionally disinfecting the material keeps your counters in great shape.