How to Clean Granite Countertops

Are you wondering how to keep your granite countertops looking brand new? Before you break out your regular cleaning products, let’s explore your options in more detail. Granite countertops need regular maintenance, albeit minor. There are certain types of cleaners you should never use, and some surprisingly simple ones that your new counters will love you for using. With the information in this article, you’ll keep that showroom shine on your counters for years to come, with little hassle or effort.

Skip the Acids

Granite, despite being an incredibly durable and long-lasting material, doesn’t hold up well to acids. Many conventional and homemade household cleaners use strong acids to cut through grease and dirt- ingredients like vinegar, lemon juice, cream of tartar, oxalic acid, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, and sodium bisulfate. NEVER use cleaning products containing these ingredients on your granite countertops – they will etch or stain, potentially irrevocably.

Check Out Homemade Green Cleaning Options

Although there are numerous commercial cleaning options for granite countertops on the market, our advice is to look in your kitchen cabinets first. Homemade cleaning options are significantly more affordable than store-bought options, and often work equally well, if not better. Check out our earlier post on green cleaning options for granite countertops to get a good idea of what you can make at home, and how it can save you money on cleaning products.

Keep it Simple

The easiest way to keep your granite countertops in excellent condition is to clean them daily with a little gentle dish detergent and warm water. Make sure to remove excess water after wiping the countertops down, however – granite is a semi-porous stone, and will absorb water, causing stains and potentially permanent discoloration.

We recommend that you use only a few drops of dish detergent in at least one cup of water. Apply the solution with a sponge, and wipe up immediately with a dry sponge.

Read Reviews

If you do decide to use a commercial cleaner, don’t just pick out the cheapest – or the most expensive – bottle available. Look for something that has good reviews from other granite countertop owners. Look for a product that has no reports of staining, etching, or other damage after use, and yet is rated as effective and reliable on even the most difficult food messes and other buildup.

Investing in a cleaner with a good reputation can save you more than buying the cheapest on the market. It spares you the headaches of sanding or re-sealing, should an abrasive cleaner damage your counter surface.

Dealing With Stains

If your granite countertop is stained, don’t fret over it. With a little elbow grease, you’ll be able to clear up most stains. There are homemade pastes that can be applied to remove both oil-based and water-based discolorations on granite, and are gentle enough to be left sitting overnight.

For water-based stains, mix 50% hydrogen peroxide and 50% baking soda into a thick paste. Apply, let sit until dry, and rinse off. Wipe up excess moisture immediately. If you are dealing with an oil-based stain, use the same basic formula, but substitute the hydrogen peroxide with water, and follow the same procedure. These solutions should remove most stains without much extra effort on your part.

What If My Granite Countertop Chips or Scratches?

Chipping is always a risk with natural stone countertops – even granite ones. Although there is no way to replace the missing stone, you do have options, should you encounter a major chip. If the damage is severe, or the stone itself cracks, there are filling compounds available in nearly every color. When applied by a professional, sealed, and sanded correctly, these can blend into the original stone imperceptibly. For most chips or scratches, however, a little sanding is all your countertops will need.

Call your local granite expert, preferably the company that installed your countertops – they should be completely equipped to sand your countertops and reseal them, leaving you with a showroom ready finish and that gorgeous granite look that led you to choose this surface in the first place.

Prevention is the Best Medicine

To avoid dealing with hassles like stains, chips, and scratches, or damage from acidic cleaners, follow a few basic granite countertop care steps:

1)      Clean up spills immediately, especially if they involve acidic foods like fruit juices, tomato, or vinegar.

2)      Wipe up excess water after cleaning your countertops, to prevent water stains and discoloration.

3)      Do not use abrasive or acidic cleaning products to clean your counters.

4)      Use a soft sponge or rag to clean your granite countertops, not a scouring pad.

These basic steps can keep your counters looking new and attractive for years – granite is, after all, as old as the hills. Care for it correctly, and your counters will last forever.