Best Way to Clean Granite Countertops

Granite kitchen countertops have remained very popular since the early 2000s. This natural stone is beautiful, resists bacteria and staining and gives off a lustrous shine. Just remember, granite requires a specific cleaning routine to ensure the sealant doesn’t wear off.

Best Way to Clean Granite Countertops

When cleaning granite, don’t use harsh chemicals, acidic cleaners or abrasive scrubbing tools. You’re better off using some dish soap and water. Keep your natural stone counters looking great for years to come with this guide to cleaning granite countertops.

How to Care for Granite Countertops

If the countertop is not sealed, or the sealant is wearing off, you’ll want to take care of that first.

Most granite countertop installations come with a layer of sealant. This top layer seals the pores in the natural stone. The trick to keeping your granite countertops clean is to reseal the stone every two to four years. You’ll know it’s time to reseal your counters when it becomes difficult to wipe up spills or if water drops don’t bead up anymore.

It’s possible to seal granite countertops yourself, but you’ll enjoy better results if you hire a professional to reseal the granite on your behalf.

How to Clean Granite Countertops

With a properly sealed countertop, you’re ready to start cleaning. Follow these tips for the best way to clean granite:

• Don’t use harsh chemicals, acidic cleaners, or abrasive scrubbing tools: Stick with warm water, mild dish soap, and a soft microfiber cloth. Steer clear of vinegar, which can dull the granite and weaken the sealant—though there are plenty of other ways to clean with vinegar around the house! Also, avoid abrasive scrubbers that could scratch the stone.
• Wipe up spills as soon as possible: Granite isn’t as porous as marble, so it’s less susceptible to soaking up oils and stains. Still, you should wipe spills immediately with a soft cloth as a simple preventative measure.
• Clean with warm water and a couple drops of dish soap: Wet a cloth and apply a bit of soap to the countertop or your cloth. Wipe the entire surface once to clean it. Wring your rag in fresh water periodically to avoid spreading food, dirt and grease. When you’re finished with the soap, rinse your rag and wipe down the counter with fresh water to remove any soap residue.
• Dry the countertop: Always use a clean microfiber cloth to dry the countertop once you’re finished, otherwise you may end up with water spots.
• Consider using special granite countertop cleaner: Check the cleaning aisle at your grocery or big box store for granite countertop cleaning products. It’s not necessary to use special cleaners—warm water and soap work just fine—but this is an option if you wish to utilize it.
• Make your own granite countertop cleaner: Mix 50/50 rubbing alcohol and water and add 20 drops of your favorite essential oil. Voila, you have your own DIY granite cleaner! Soap and water usually do the trick, but if you want a quick way to disinfect or clean the granite, this spray works great.

How to Remove Stains from Granite

Daily cleaning is enough to keep your granite countertop in good shape most of the time, but if you spill something and it leaves a stain, you need to do a bit more of a deep cleaning. Remove stains from your countertop without damaging the natural stone by using these tips:

• Apply a baking soda paste: No matter what you spilled, odds are baking soda can help remove it. To clean an oil-based stain, make a baking soda paste with water. If you’re dealing with a water-based stain, mix the baking soda with hydrogen peroxide.
• Apply the paste generously over the stained area: Gently scrub the counter with a soft cloth and rinse thoroughly. Repeat as needed.
• Tackle tough stains: If repeated scrubbing doesn’t remove the stain, reapply the paste, cover the area with plastic wrap, and tape the edges down. Leave the homemade stain remover in place overnight or even for a few days. Then rinse and wipe the granite with a soft cloth to hopefully reveal a stain-free surface.

Help When You Need It

Well done! Now you know the best way to clean granite so it looks great and last for decades. Give your house the same attention with ongoing house clean services. For all your home cleaning needs, rely on the professionals at Molly Maid. Our team is fully licensed and insured for your peace of mind. Contact your local Molly Maid today for a free cleaning estimate!