Granite countertops are durable, beautiful, and offer many benefits. They’re an investment that will last for years to come. However, their porous surface can also be difficult to clean.
That’s why we’ve put together this blog post with 5 steps you can follow in cleaning your granite counters correctly.
Step 1: Prepare Your Cleaning Supplies
The first step to cleaning granite countertops is gathering your supplies. You will need a few simple items listed below:
- All-purpose cleaner
- A clean sponge or cloth
- Damp rag
- Stainless steel scrubber
- Marble sealer
Step 2: Prepare Your Work Area
Before cleaning your granite countertops, you must prepare your work area. First, ensure that the marble countertops are empty and free from food and appliances.
Dust is the biggest culprit for leaving behind a sticky film on your countertops. Use a dry or micro-fiber cloth to wipe down all surfaces of the granite counters.
Step 3: Remove the Stains
Granite countertops are porous, which means that they can absorb liquids into their surface. If you spill something onto your granite countertop, immediately wipe it with a dry cloth or paper towel to help prevent the liquid from seeping in and staining the stone.
If there are any spills, stains, or other excess dirt on your countertops, you want to make sure you remove it before it sets in. This is an important first step because the more you wait to clean your counters, the more difficult it will be to get clean.
Clean off any food particles or spills. Do not use any abrasive cleaners on the granite surface. The same goes for using any type of bleach or acidic cleaners that will dissolve the stone.
Use a sponge soaked in water and dish soap, then scrub the stain gently until it disappears. Rinse the sponge out in between uses.
If the food particles are still stuck on the counters, use a scraper or putty knife to remove them. If you choose to use a putty knife, make sure it’s a putty knife with rounded edges so it won’t scratch your countertops. You can also use an old credit card for this step.
Step 4: Get Rid of Stubborn Grime
The first step in cleaning your granite countertops is to clean them. Avoid using harsh chemicals, acidic cleaners, or abrasive scrubbing tools when cleaning your granite countertops.
You may be tempted to use a vinegar-based cleaner, but that’s not what you should do. Vinegar can damage the finish on your granite countertops, and it won’t help you in the cleaning process either.
Instead, choose a cleaner with pH-neutral ingredients. This is a good rule of thumb, but it’s especially important when dealing with granite countertops since they’re porous and can be damaged by weaker cleaners.
If you have stubborn grime that doesn’t come off easily with just water and a sponge, you can use a soft cloth or rag to get them off.
Avoid abrasive scrubbers that can scratch your countertop. You want to ensure that whatever cloth you use isn’t too wet. Otherwise, the water could warp and discolor your counters over time.
Once you’ve finished cleaning, make sure to wipe dry the countertops with a towel. This will help prevent streaks from forming.
Then rinse any remaining soap or water by wiping down the countertops with a clean towel. Make sure not to wipe too hard, as this may scratch your granite counters over time.
Step 5: Maintain Surface Quality With Stone Care Products
To maintain your granite counters, use a granite sealer regularly. These come in sprays and polishes that will help protect your countertops from future stains.
But make sure to read over the instructions for how they should be used (i.e., whether or not you need to rinse them off).
Conclusion
If you’ve been struggling to find the right way to clean your granite countertops, we hope this post has helped. We know how frustrating it can be to have a beautiful and expensive investment that doesn’t look as good because of dirty counters.
Cleaning them is also difficult because they’re porous and don’t show stains well. Consider these 5 steps when cleansing your granite counters next time.
