Some of the most frequently asked questions are "how do i maintain my Counter Top?"
What's the best way to clean granite countertops? We've read a lot of varying views on this — use Windex! No, never use Windex! Use a special granite-only cleaner! No, you don't need a special granite-only cleaner! — but after doing our own research, we think we've discovered a consensus among stone experts on how to care for granite. The best part? You really don't need any special cleaners to get those countertops shiny and streak-free.
While granite is a very hard surface and less porous than marble, unsealed or weakly sealed granite will soak up oils, spills, and stains. To check whether your granite is sealed, leave a few drops of water on the surface. If it beads up, you have a secure seal. If after a few minutes the water has soaked into the granite, then it's time to reseal the stone.
Windex; acidic cleaners, like vinegar, lemon, lime; or anything with ammonia or bleach should be avoided. Frequent use of these chemicals will dull and weaken the sealant over time. Basically, the harsher the cleaner, the quicker it will break down the sealant.
Use warm water, a mild or gentle dish soap, and a nubby washcloth or microfiber cloth for daily wipe-downs.
A well-sealed granite countertop is relatively impervious to bacteria. Hot water and dish soap should be adequate for daily sanitizing. However, if a stronger disinfectant is desired, mix together a 50:50 solution of water and 91% isopropyl alcohol. Spray onto the granite, allow to sit for three to five minutes, and then rinse with water and dry with a clean microfiber cloth. Avoid bleach or ammonia-based cleaners.
There are granite cleaners out there, like this one from Method and this one from Granite Gold. Some all-purpose surface cleaners also specify that they're safe for granite. Use these cleaners if you want — just know that you don't have to buy them if you don't want to. The cleaning tutorial below will work just fine!How To Clean and Disinfect Granite Countertops
Warm waterMild or gentle dish soapDish clothClean microfiber cloth or terrycloth towelIsopropyl alcohol (optional)Spray bottle (optional)
Wet your dish cloth with warm, soapy water: Fill the sink with warm water and a mild dish soap, then thoroughly wet a clean dish cloth.Wipe down the granite countertops: You don't need us to tell you how to do this part. Just wipe away any spills or crumbs on your countertop!Dry with a microfiber cloth to avoid streaking: Dry and buff your granite countertop thoroughly with a microfiber cloth or soft terry cloth towel to avoid streaking.Make a water and isopropyl alcohol solution: To periodically disinfect your granite countertops, remove soap residue, and restore shine, mix together a 50:50 solution of water and 91% isopropyl alcohol.Shine and disinfect: Spray the solution onto the granite, allow it to sit for 3-5 minutes, then rinse with water and dry with a clean microfiber cloth.Enjoy!: Your nice, shiny, clean granite countertops are ready to go.
