Granite Cleaning Tips

Having a granite countertop in your kitchen lends it an unparalleled warmth and beauty. Granite is not only easy to maintain, but is extremely durable too. They are ideal as they are scratch resistant, heat resistant and acids used in everyday cooking such as vinegar as well as other citrus fruits and vegetable, cause no harm to it. This, however, no way means that granite requires no maintenance. On the contrary, it has to be cleaned on a regular basis, to maintain its natural shine and condition. Cleaning granite countertops is easy, if you follow the tips mentioned below.

Granite Countertops Care and Cleaning Tips

Step 1
Take some tissue papers and blot whatever spills, oils, juices that might be there on the granite surface.

Step 2
Now take a stone soap (you will get it either at a hardware store or with a stone dealer), and clean the surface with it. In case you do not have a stone soap, you can use the regular, mild dish washing liquid to clean the surface. Also, use warm water, as it will wash the surface better.

Step 3
Once the countertop has been cleaned, rinse it with water. Follow it up by drying with a clean, soft cloth.

Step 4
The first three steps will help in removing all the accumulated dirt and grime on the surface of the granite. However, sometimes certain stains might also be there on the surface. In order to remove them, combine one cup flour with one tablespoon of dish washing soap, and add some water to the mixture to form a paste. Now, place this mixture on all the stains that you see. After applying the mixture, cover the stains with plastic wraps.

Step 5
In case, the stains are caused due to oil, cream, butter or milk, apply a mixture of flour, water and hydrogen peroxide on them. If the stains are caused due to tea or coffee, apply a mixture made from hydrogen peroxide and ammonia on the stains. Remember to always seal the mixture using a plastic wrap and tape.

Step 6
Let the mixture stay on the stains overnight. In the morning, take a wooden ladle or any other appropriate wooden utensil and scratch the mixture, out of the granite, with it. Later rinse with warm water and dry with a clean cloth.

The procedure mentioned above will surely help you to get rid of the dirt and stains, caused on your granite countertop due to everyday usage. If you are looking for an easy and less time-consuming method, then you can simply make a mixture of isopropyl rubbing alcohol, dish washing soap and water, and fill it in a spray bottle. Then with a clean cloth and this mixture, you will be able to clean your countertop, within no time.

Granite cleaning, as you can see, is very simple and easy to do. But as is said that prevention is always better than cure, so why not maintain and clean your countertop regularly, so that dirt does not accumulate, scratches do not occur and stains do not get formed. Some preventive measures that you can follow are - do not use the granite surface as cutting board, do not place acidic foods, such as lemon and vinegar on it for a long time, as they can cause stains, do not use harsh chemicals to clean the surface, do not drag utensils or appliances on the granite top and lastly, wash and clean on a weekly basis to maintain its beauty, color and shine.