How to Clean a Granite Countertop
In this guide, we’ll walk you through your granite cleaning product checklist and give you a step-by-step guide to cleaning your granite countertops. By following these expert recommendations, you can ensure your granite surfaces continue to shine and serve you well for years to come.
Maintaining Your Granite Countertops
Granite is durable, but not indestructible, and if you’re not taking care of your granite, cleaning it will only get you so far. Instead, ensure that you’re treating your granite sensibly and not:
- Placing hot dishes directly on the stone
- Using your countertop as a cutting board
- Allowing your sealant to wear off
By following the above basic granite maintenance tips and cleaning your granite regularly, you will enjoy decades with your granite countertops.
Products Needed to Clean Granite
Granite is a natural stone and assuming your granite’s sealant hasn’t worn off, cleaning it is pretty simple. Before you get started, gather the following supplies:
- Mild dish soap
- Warm water
- Soft cloths or sponges
- Granite cleaner (optional)
- pH-balanced cleaner (optional)
Step-By-Step Granite Cleaning Process
As with any countertops, your granite should be cleaned daily - and even more frequently in the busiest households. While granite is most commonly associated with kitchen countertops, the cleaning process is the same no matter if your granite countertops are in your kitchen, bathrooms, or beyond.
Step 1: Initial Wipe Down
Before you start cleaning with any sort of solution, take a dry cloth or sponge and wipe away any crumbs or debris. Depending on your kitchen setup, this may also be the perfect time to put away or lift any countertop appliances and decor. This will ensure that you’re getting your entire counter clean and not just working around the true source of the mess.
Step 2: Mix Your Cleaning Solution
While you may opt for premade granite cleaner or other pH-balanced cleaners, soap and water will do the trick just fine. However, if you are going to opt for any pre-mixed cleaning solution, you need to avoid anything abrasive that can wear down the sealant, including vinegar or bleach.
Step 3: Clean the Surface
Take your mixture of mild dish soap and water and a soft cloth and start wiping down the countertops. You should not be using any cloth, sponge, or cleaning pad that will scratch the surface of your countertops. Take a tip from our pros and use a microfiber cleaning cloth that is color-coordinated for the room you’re working in to avoid cross-contamination.
Step 4: Rinse and Dry
Take a second cloth that is dampened with just water and wipe away your soap and water solution. Once the cleaning mixture is gone, you can take a dry cloth to polish the stone to the perfect shine. Lower your head eye-level to the countertop so that as you’re drying and buffing the counter, you can double-check that you’re not missing any spots or leaving any streaks behind.
Bonus Step: Tough Stains
Because granite is a natural stone and a porous surface (especially if your sealant is worn down), your counter may face tough stains that the above steps won’t fix. While the best way to avoid these tough stains is to not allow liquids to sit directly on the countertops for an extended period of time, if you are faced with one, mix a paste of baking soda and water.
Apply the paste directly to the stain. If the stain is really in there, you can leave the paste on overnight, cover the paste with plastic wrap, or both. Once the paste pulls out the stain, rinse off the residue with water and a soft cloth. This works well on tricky stains caused by wine, coffee, and even oil.
Granite Cleaning FAQs
What cleaning products should you avoid to clean granite countertops?
As mentioned above, granite is a natural and porous stone that is sealed, so any product that will interfere with the sealant or is otherwise abrasive should be avoided. Examples include bleach, vinegar, and Windex. Instead, use soap and water or a pH-balanced cleaning solution.
How often should you seal granite countertops?
Typically, you can get away with resealing your granite countertops every 5-7 years. However, lighter-colored granite or granite that is faced with acidic spills may need to be resealed more frequently. While you can DIY the sealant, there are professional companies who specialize purely in granite sealant that can ensure it is done flawlessly.
How to disinfect granite countertops?
Soap and water work well for everyday cleaning, but if you want an extra boost of disinfection, you can make your own 50/50 solution using a mix of rubbing alcohol and water. This will kill viruses and bacteria lingering on your countertop while still following non-abrasive best practices.
While you’re in charge of cleaning your granite every day, there will be times when your countertops need professional attention. If you’re in the Houston area, our team at Cleandae is your go-to granite expert. We will ensure your granite is the cleanest it has ever been and can provide recommendations for its maintenance. Contact us today to schedule your recurring cleaning!
