How to Clean Your Granite Countertops Like an Expert?

If you have chosen granite as the material for your countertop, well done! They are the best choice for your kitchen, not only because they have exceptionally good looks, but also because they have really high durability. Granite is also not as porous as marble, making it suitable for withstanding accidental spills in the kitchen. It can resist staining and bacterial infestations to a large extent, thanks to the sealant that is applied to protect the pores in the stone. Granite is sturdy and heat resistant, making it a perfect choice for your kitchen. But no matter how good granite is, the right care is essential to make sure that they stay like that for a long time. Do not use acid cleaners or harsh chemicals on your granite countertops, as it can lead to the sealant wearing off. Let us look at the right way to clean and maintain your granite countertops.

Step 1: Clear your countertop

The first step to cleaning your granite countertops is to get everything off of them. I know this is a pretty obvious thing to do, but there are cases where individuals do not remove the entire appliances from their countertops, which might lead to them missing some spots. We do not want that. So make sure to keep your canvas clean and remove everything, be it small or big, from your countertops. This will save you a lot of time in the process. You can also use a dry sponge or dishcloth to wipe away any dirt, making the surface ready for cleaning..

Step 2: Get on with the scrubbing

Do not go overboard with the scrubbing as the sealant might come off. Once the countertop is clean, take a non-abrasive tool and start scrubbing the surface. You can use a cleaning spray specifically made for cleaning granite or you can make one on your own. For the second option, take equal parts of rubbing alcohol and water and mix them together. Add a little bit of dish soap to the mixture. You have your very own granite countertop cleaner. Use an ‘S’ motion to wipe down the surface, and for best results, use a microfibre towel.

Step 3: Now it’s time to tackle the stains

Now we know that granite countertops are stain-resistant to an extent, but there are cases where some stains do get through. In such instances, you can use baking soda. Mix baking soda with water to make a paste. Apply a thick layer of this paste on the stain, leave it for some time and lightly scrub it away. If the stains are stubborn, you can cover the mixture with plastic wrap and leave it overnight. An alternative is to use a razor blade to scrape off the stain. You have to be very careful while doing this, as you do not want to leave a permanent scratch mark on the granite which might dull its shine.

Step 4: Let us disinfect the surface

The kitchen needs to be one of the cleanest places in your house, so disinfecting your granite countertops after taking out the stains, is always a good idea. Alcohol is the best option when it comes to disinfectors. Take one cup of isopropyl alcohol and one cup of water, mix them together and pour it into a spray bottle. Spray the surface of the countertop with this, and gently wipe off using an ‘S’ motion. Make sure to leave the countertop completely dry once this process is complete.

Step 5: Bring back the shine

After the cleaning process is over, you can apply a little bit of coconut oil to the surface and rub it in properly. This gives an additional layer of protection to the countertop as it helps in resisting staining to some extend. Granite countertops will most definitely need a resealing once every 2 to 4 years, depending upon how well you take care of it. This makes sure that the pores of the granite (even though not as big as marble) are protected from accidental spills and that the stone remains in good shape for long. It is pretty easy to apply the sealant, just follow the instructions given in the package!

Conclusion

Make it a rule of thumb to never use anything acidic on your granite countertops, no matter how big your issue is. Steer away from lemon, vinegar, and acidic cleaners. The same goes for bleach and ammonia as well. Granite countertop is a big investment that you have made, so give equal importance to the maintenance process as well. You can let the professional house cleaners do the work once in a while, as they have better tools and cleaners to deal with the granite countertops.