What Is Used To Clean Granite Countertops

Granite is a popular choice for kitchen counters, besides as floor and wall tiles. It'due south harder than marble , and its shiny surface and broad range of colors mean it'south an elegant, timeless add-on to any domicile. Granite even has antibacterial and oestrus resistant backdrop too. Unfortunately, granite's good looks and useful properties exercise come with a premium toll tag. If you want to know the best way to proceed your granite countertops looking like new, or you're considering installing granite counters but are daunted by the maintenance, we'll show you how to keep your work surfaces effortlessly make clean.

What is granite?

When you buy a granite countertop, what you're getting is ane of a number of different kinds of stone. True granite is igneous, meaning information technology's been formed from lava. What's in your granite volition depend on where it was formed, how long it took to absurd, and more. That'south why granite comes in a range of colors and crystal sizes: each granite deposit is equally unique equally the volcano that created information technology.

The stone in your granite might incorporate silica, mica, feldspar, or quartz, along with a diversity of other minerals. Or information technology might non exist granite, or fifty-fifty igneous stone, at all. Metamorphic Dolomites are sometimes sold as granite, every bit are sedimentary breccias and gabbros.

For nigh people, the chemical makeup of their granite is less of import than how it looks, only these variations do have an result on how you clean your granite countertop. Some types of granite are harder than others, while some stain more easily. Knowing what will stain your item piece of work surface, and what cleaners yous can and can't utilise on it, is a proficient first step to maintaining it properly.

Pro Tip : Information technology's a myth that dark granite is harder than low-cal granite. Because the minerals in granite are and so variable, yous can't tell how strong or porous granite is from the color.

If you haven't chosen your granite countertop even so, or you know the store your installed granite came from, you tin probably become a sample piece in order to stain test. If yous can't get a sample, don't despair. Our pro tips volition guide you through safely cleaning and maintaining your granite.

The lemon and water examination for granite countertops

You'll Demand:

A sample of your granite counter
Water
Real lemon juice
Optional: cooking oil, coffee, sliced fruit e.chiliad. strawberries, blueberries
Decorator's tape
Granite sealant
Optional: magnifying glass

The lemon and water test is a great, simple way of finding out how your granite countertop volition react to unlike stains and cleaning solutions. Y'all'll need a sample of your granite from the stone k or shop it came from in order to do this. Don't experiment on your installed worktop.

Stride 1: Apply decorator'due south record to divide your test granite in half, and seal i half using the brand of sealant you plan to use on your countertop. Check out the guide at the lesser of this commodity for how to seal granite, or follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Step ii: One time your sealant has prepare, put your granite on a level surface and add a pocket-size amount of water on each side. Next add a small amount of (existent) lemon juice beside the water, taking care not to mix them together. For a terminal test, you tin also add cooking oil, or stain sources such as coffee or cut fruit.

Step iii: Let the test granite to sit for at least an hour.

Step four: Wipe the granite clean and inspect it for stains and marks. You should view it at different angles and under different light sources to exist sure you lot come across everything. For the most detail, use a magnifying drinking glass to examine the surface for whatsoever tiny abrasions or dulling, known as etching.

What you lot're looking for:

Where the water (and oil, if used) was placed on the granite, check for concealment of the rock. This indicates that the granite has absorbed the liquid, meaning it's porous. Whenever yous become porous granite countertops wet, you run the risk of them becoming discolored.

The side of the granite that was sealed shouldn't testify any water damage, even if the unsealed side does. If the granite darkens despite existence sealed, it'due south highly porous and y'all'll demand a specialized sealant to protect your work surfaces. Maintenance on porous granite is also more intensive, because you lot'll have to seal it more oft and mop up whatever spills as soon as they happen.

No discoloration where the water was left on the granite means information technology's non-porous and volition exist less probable to stain.

In the surface area where you put the lemon juice, you might meet a change in the shine or surface texture of the granite. Endeavor rubbing your fingers over the spot if you don't see anything, just to be sure. If your granite looks deadening, information technology has been etched by the acid in the lemon juice.

Some types of granite compose very hands, while others hardly react to even strong acids. If you observe signs of carving, that means your granite worktop will need to exist protected from acids such as lemon juice, tomatoes, and red wine.

The primary purpose of sealant is to make granite less absorbent, not to stop chemical impairment. Therefore a sealant won't completely protect your granite from etching, but it should reduce the effect.

Finally, cheque how susceptible to staining your granite is by reviewing where you placed other test samples. Lighter granites tend to stain more easily, but if your light granite is non-porous then staining will be less of a business organization.

How to make clean a granite countertop

For most day-to-twenty-four hours cleaning, y'all don't need to use a lot of complicated or specialized chemicals on your granite counter. Wipe upwardly spills equally soon as you can, and avoid placing any stain sources onto the granite.

Although water tin discolor granite and leave marks behind, washing your granite with h2o is still the best style to make clean information technology. The key is to use only as much h2o as necessary (don't flood the stone) and make sure to wipe and dry your granite countertops as soon equally you're done cleaning. Water volition only affect your granite if it remains on the surface long plenty to soak in.

Ever try to use a pH neutral cleaner on granite surfaces to avert the adventure of carving. Gentle dish lather and water is unremarkably enough. Acidic or alkali cleaners can both damage the surface of your granite, making it look boring and dark.

What not to use to make clean granite counters

Lemon juice
Vinegar
Citric acid
Ammonia
Bleach
Windex
Lysol

What you should use to clean granite countertops

Dish lather (due east.chiliad. Ivory, Dawn)
Castile soap
Warm water
Baking soda
Isopropyl alcohol

Can I use these to clean my granite countertop?
YES	NO
Dish soap (eastward.thou. Ivory, Dawn)	Lemon juice
H2o	Vinegar
Baking soda	Citric acid
Isopropyl alcohol	Ammonia
	Bleach
	Windex
	Lysol

To clean granite counters, first wipe away any dust or spills with a clean, damp microfiber cloth. Then use warm h2o with a small amount of dish lather to wash granite surfaces downward. Wring out the cloth and wipe once again with clean water to remove any soap residue, every bit over time it tin can leave a film behind, especially on dark granite.

Pro Tip: Make certain your dish soap doesn't comprise any citrus extracts or essential oils. Even though they're but used in very small amounts, they can all the same harm granite worktops.

Never use any abrasive pad on granite or other natural stone surfaces. Wire cleaners, brushes, and even sponges can scratch and scuff the surface. Instead, microfiber cloths are the best tool to use, every bit they won't scratch and they collect dust and clay, rather than moving it around.

If your granite countertop has a sticky stain, avoid the temptation to scrub it away. Instead, soak stains with water or a pH neutral cleaner and use a soft cloth to wipe them away. If you have a larger stain such as stale food to remove, y'all tin can carefully use a plastic scraper to dislodge the balance.

Once your counter is make clean, it's important to dry out it completely using a fresh microfiber material. If you leave water on granite countertops y'all risk discoloring the stone.

That's it! Keeping your granite counters clean really isn't too difficult, and doesn't require whatever expensive, specialist cleaners.

How to remove dried spills from granite counters

Despite your all-time efforts, you'll probably miss a spill at some point. Don't worry, it doesn't mean your beautiful granite surface is ruined forever.

Avoid the temptation to use stiff cleaners like bleach or ammonia, or DIY cleaners such as white vinegar or lemon juice. All of these are too abrasive for utilize on natural stone without risking harm. Although ane or two uses of these solutions might not await like they've washed any harm, over time they'll slowly erode the granite surface, leaving it dull, changing its color, and making information technology more probable to absorb stains in the future.

Instead, make a solution of l/50 isopropyl alcohol and water. Spray the spill and work it out gently with a microfiber cloth. If the residue however doesn't lift, dampen a paper towel with the isopropyl alcohol solution and printing it over the marker. Permit it sit for five to ten minutes and so wipe clean.

If all else fails, make a paste of baking soda and h2o and apply information technology to the spill. Use a microfiber cloth to gently rub the rest, then wipe clean using warm, soapy water. This method is particularly constructive at removing oily marks from granite.

Exist sure to wash the counter with fresh water and dry thoroughly one time the remainder has been removed. This will keep your granite in top condition.

How to remove stains from granite counters

If your granite countertop is stained, in most instances it can however be stock-still. The cause of the stain will determine the best way to clean it.

H2o marks

Most water marks will disappear in one case they've completely evaporated, but if your granite is very porous, or the spill was large, y'all might end up with a night, discoloured area. To remove water spots, apply warm, soapy h2o to gently wash the stain. Rinse away any soap residue with a clean, damp cloth, and then dry out thoroughly.

If the stain is all the same there once the worktop is dry, try using a paste of baking soda and a modest amount of water. For the virtually stubborn water marks, you tin use fine steel wool (#0000) to gently vitrify out the mark. Never wet steel wool when y'all're using it on granite, as it volition damage the surface.

Oil-based stains

The best solution for oily stains is to employ a paste of blistering soda and water. Apply the paste to the stain, piece of work it in gently using a soft cloth, and leave for up to an 60 minutes. Remove whatever residue with a damp cloth and dry the surface area well. You may need to repeat this several times to remove large or deep stains.

Organic stains

Food stains tin look very bad, but they can still be cleaned out of granite countertops. Fruit, java, soy sauce, and more tin all stain granite, but they can be removed with hydrogen peroxide if they don't respond to other cleaning methods.

What kind of stain is in my granite countertop?
WATER	OIL	ORGANIC
Hard water	Cooking oil	Strawberries
Mineral deposits	Pizza grease	Love apple juice
Lather scum	Lipstick	Java

While hydrogen peroxide is slightly acidic and shouldn't exist used regularly on your granite counter, you tin apply it to sparingly spot-clean stubborn stains. Brand a paste from hydrogen peroxide and talcum powder and apply it to the stained surface area. Rub the stain gently with a soft cloth, and wipe abroad any residual. Use fresh water to ensure you remove all of the remaining peroxide and protect your granite worktop from farther impairment.

DIY and natural granite cleaners

Unfortunately, most common DIY cleaners aren't suitable for use on natural stone. Vinegar and lemon juice are acidic, and will impairment your granite surfaces. Nevertheless if you get a stain on your granite countertop, yous can treat it with a poultice of blistering soda and water. Mix 2 or 3 tablespoons of water with enough blistering soda to make a thick paste, and utilise thinly to the stain. Work the stain out with a soft textile using round motions, and clean the area well with fresh water to remove any rest. Finally, dry out your granite to forestall water marks from forming.

To disinfect your granite countertop, employ a mixture of one office isopropyl booze and three parts water. Add a few drops of dish soap, and put the solution into a spray bottle. Mist the granite counter and permit it sit down for 10 minutes before wiping away any excess with a dry microfiber cloth. This will boost your granite's natural antibacterial properties .

Pro Tip: If you want to add a olfactory property to your cleaning solution, avoid citrus essential oils. Instead use tea tree, eucalyptus, rosemary, or lavender.

As a natural culling to dish lather, look for products with eco-friendly ingredients. Castile lather is also safety to employ on granite. Merely substitute a few drops in place of dish soap.

How to smooth granite until it shines

The appeal of granite countertops is their high shine cease, and you lot'll desire to go along them looking sparkling clean. There are a number of ways to polish granite counters. You can buy a specialist granite polish for utilise on your worktops, or requite one of these solutions a endeavour.

Blistering soda

Cleaning pros love blistering soda. It'due south an incredibly versatile, effective, and gentle cleaner for all kinds of surfaces—and information technology tin can also polish your granite countertops. Make a mixture of 3 parts baking soda to one part warm h2o, and combine until smooth. Use a thin layer of the paste to your granite surface, and gently buff with a clean cloth. Wipe away any residue with a damp textile and dry the granite for a smoothen, shiny surface.

Cooking oil

Although cooking oil can stain granite, in small amounts it's as well an effective polish. Any typical oil will work, for example vegetable or olive oil. Apply a small amount of oil to a soft, make clean cloth, and buff the granite using round motions. Don't forget to polish the edges of your counter! Oil will give your granite a nice shine, and besides help it repel water.

Sometimes granite looks wearisome as a result of carving. This is what happens when the granite surface is eroded. Minor etches tin be polished out using polishing powder (usually tin oxide), simply no amount of polishing will undo the damage done by deep etching. Instead, telephone call a professional who can refinish the stone and restore your granite to its old glory.

What substances will stain granite countertops?

Although granite worktop owners should try to protect their natural stone surfaces, granite is generally very resistant to stains. While the exact stain resistance of your granite volition depend on its porosity and color, you tin avert information technology becoming stained past taking a few simple precautions.

Water

Water can stain granite if it's allowed to soak in. Take care to wipe upwardly whatever spills as presently as possible, and pay particular attending to your counter in moisture areas such equally around sinks, or where y'all chop food. Don't leave damp sponges or cloths on your granite, and remember not to put your moisture gloves or umbrella on the kitchen counter when you come habitation.

Even though h2o tin can stain your granite countertops, don't exist afraid to utilise it regularly for cleaning. Water will only leave stains behind if it's allowed to soak into the stone, so be sure to ever dry your counter thoroughly.

Oils

Oils can discolor granite surfaces, and the stains they leave behind can be harder to remove than water marks. The best way to avoid oily stains is to be vigilant about wiping down your granite counter, especially around cooktops. Some foods also contain oils that can soak into your granite, so try to avoid putting anything organic directly on top of your countertop. Use cutting boards and silicone mats to protect your granite from accidental impairment.

Fruit juice, cherry wine, and soda

These drinks are all acidic, and have strong colors. For granite counters, that'due south a bad combination. The acrid eats into the surface of granite, and the color permeates the stone, leaving etching and stains behind. Always wipe upwards these types of spills immediately, and use coasters to protect your countertop from potable rings.

Bleach/ammonia

Any substance that isn't pH neutral tin harm granite, and that includes the near common household cleaners. Unless you've tested a sample slice of your granite worktop, avoid using any strong solution equally they tin cause carving and discoloration.

Heat

You may be surprised to hear that hot pots and pans tin can damage your granite. Afterward all, its natural heat resistance is 1 reason why granite is then popular. Granite can nonetheless be damaged by heat considering the sealants and finishes used on its surface are not heat resistant to the same degree. This can result in ugly blackness marks on your granite, or—in worst-case scenarios—even cause the granite to crack. Rather than risk heat damage, use protective pads or trivets under your hot pans to protect your granite.

Fresh fruit

Just like fruit juice, fruit itself is usually acidic and brightly colored. Berries, grapes, tomatoes, and citrus fruits are especially probable to impairment granite and leaving stains behind. Protect your worktop by always putting something underneath any food you ready out, specially fresh fruit.

Coffee

Java is acidic enough to damage the surface of your granite countertop, leaving it wearisome and etched, and at risk of arresting stains. Keep coffee grounds away from your counter, utilise coasters under cups to avoid rings, and consider putting a silicone mat below your coffeemaker to avoid any accidental spills.

Makeup

Yous might non think nigh the harm that makeup can practise to your granite counters, just makeup products contain oils and dyes that tin can discolor natural stone. Avoid putting any makeup on your worktops, or place something underneath to protect the stone surface.

Should granite countertops be sealed?

In short, yes. Sealants protect your granite from absorbing stains, giving you time to clean up before any damage occurs. Unsealed granite is much more likely to be stained or damaged past everyday use.

At that place are two types of sealant ordinarily used on granite countertops. Topical sealers coat the granite with a protective layer, while impregnating sealers soak into the rock and make full the pores that can absorb liquids and stains. Impregnating sealers tend to concluding longer than topical, but both kinds will need to exist reapplied every year or two as they interruption downward.

Colour enhancers

Color enhancers are applied like topical sealers, but they don't provide the aforementioned protection. Their purpose is to brand the granite look glossy and "wet," and bring out the natural color of the rock. You tin can also use a color enhancer to mask harm caused past etching.Additionally, color enhancers can amend the look of certain granite finishes, such as leathered or honed granite, which have a matte, deadening stop.

You can use a color enhancer on your granite worktop in tandem with a sealant, just it shouldn't be considered a replacement to properly sealing the stone.

How to seal a granite counter

You lot'll Demand:

Dish lather or granite cleaning solution

Warm water

Microfiber cloths

Granite sealant

Notation: It's e'er best to follow the instructions of the production you're using, but this guide will teach you the basics of how to seal a granite worktop. Y'all should exist able to seal your counters in about an hour, including drying times.

Step one: Clean your granite surface thoroughly with warm, soapy h2o (or granite cleaner).

Step 2: Use a fresh, clammy microfiber fabric to remove any excess residuum.

Step three: Apply a dry fabric to thoroughly dry your countertop.

Footstep four: Leave the granite to dry to ensure all the water has evaporated. This will take around ten or fifteen minutes.

Step five: Spray sealant evenly across your granite, taking care to cover all surfaces, including the sides.

Step six: Rub in the sealant using a clean, dry microfiber cloth.

Step vii: Leave the sealant to absorb for about ten minutes, then wipe away whatever backlog using a microfiber cloth.

Pro Tip: If yous let the sealant fix for as well long and it dries on your granite countertop, add a little flake more sealant to pause information technology downwards and so buff information technology away.

How to tell if granite sealant needs reapplying

Most granite sealants will last nearly a year, simply the exact time y'all demand to reapply your sealant volition depend on how you lot utilize your kitchen and what your granite comes into contact with on a daily footing. To check if your sealant is still working, take a squirt canteen and spray a little water onto your counter. If you lot encounter the water beading, the sealant is nonetheless doing its job of keeping liquids out. If the h2o doesn't dewdrop, it'due south fourth dimension to reseal. It'south that simple.

How to maintain granite countertops

The best manner to go on your granite counters looking their best is to prevent impairment from happening. There are 5 key steps to protecting your granite:

Don't identify annihilation hot or organic directly on granite surfaces
Guard against abrasive grit and grit
Clean up spills immediately
Avoid harsh chemicals and cleaners
Seal your granite regularly

Prevention really is better than cure, so be mindful of how y'all apply your granite surfaces, and what you identify on them. Wiping your granite downwards daily with a clammy cloth and buffing abroad backlog wet volition likewise help y'all continue your granite gleaming, and requite y'all a take chances to find whatsoever spills earlier they become stains.

With the right treatment, and a niggling daily attention , your granite counters will last a lifetime, and be the easiest thing in your house to make clean. Simply follow our pro cleaning tips and enjoy your beautiful granite countertops.

Source: https://prohousekeepers.com/blog/how-to-clean-granite-countertops/

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