Cleaning Granite Countertops

Granite countertops are a beautiful addition to any home and are especially popular in the kitchen. Granite is known for the uniqueness of each stone and for its anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, granite is also known for being a more difficult to surface to clean. That doesn’t mean you can’t have granite in the kitchen you just have to know how to clean granite countertops.

The best way to clean granite countertops is by mixing a little dish detergent and warm water. This soapy mixture followed by rinsing and then drying with microfiber cloths will take care of the daily maintenance of your counters. It’s important that you dry the counter to avoid water stains.

What if you miss a spill and it becomes a stain? Try creating a gentle baking soda solution. If your stain is water-based, add a little hydrogen peroxide to the baking soda. If your stain is oil-based, add water instead. Make your baking soda/liquid mixture into a paste. Spread it over the stain and let it sit overnight — or even a day or two for stubborn stains. Then, rinse off and dry the counter.

When cleaning your granite countertops, it is always important to test out the paste on a portion of the stone to see how it will react with your own counters. Also, never use vinegar or an acid based cleaner on your granite as it will dull and etch the stone.

Basically, the secret to keeping your countertop clean is to blot up a spill quickly before it has a chance to become a stain. Of course, this may not be so simple if you have a chaotic family or are throwing a party. But wiping something up with simple soap and water is much easier than having to deal with a stain later!