Granite Cleaning Tips

• DO clean with a soft cloth, water and (occasionally) a mild dish detergent.
• DO user coasters under glasses, especially if they contain alcohol or citrus juices.
• DO use trivets or mats under hot dishes or cookware.
• DO use place pats under china, ceramics, silver or other objects that may scratch your stone’s surface.
• DO dust countertops and islands frequently.
• DO blot up spills immediately to minimize permanent damage to the stone.
• DO clean surfaces by wiping with clean water or spraying with a Granite Cleaner, then wiping dry with a clean cloth.
• DO NOT under any circumstances sit or stand on your granite countertop.
• DO NOT use vinegar, bleach, ammonia, windex, or other general purpose cleaners.
• DO NOT use cleaners that contain acid, such as bathroom cleaners, grout cleaners, or tub and tile cleaners.
• DO NOT use abrasive cleaners, such as dry cleansers or soft cleansers
• DO NOT use alkaline cleaners which are not specifically formulated for natural stone.

Overall, just use common sense. Keep in mind that Sealers give you extra time to get a spill cleaned up and less time for the spill to possibly stain the granite. This does not mean that granite is hard to maintain; in fact, it’s quite the opposite! The best advise to keep in mind is to avoid harsh or abrasive cleaners, as they will break down your sealer faster than is normal. We advise our customers to clean their granite counters using water and a soft cloth – it’s that easy!


DISH SOAP
Dish soap is commonly recommended for granite countertops as a daily cleaner because it will not damage your stone or sealant if it is a mild, plan soap such as Ivory. However, soap scum will build up over time, requiring a thorough cleaning with special products to restore the original luster.

GOOD ADVICE
The one all-purpose cleaning product that does not have damaging chemicals AND has a relatively neutral pH is Simple Green. Use it in a 1:30 solution of Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner and water. Better yet, there is a Simple Green Stone Cleaner made especially for cleaning stone countertops, such as granite. This product is not needed more than once a day. If using Simple Green, regular cleaning with a specially formulated stone cleaner/sealer should also be performed on a weekly basis. To help renew your stone’s luster, try using Simple Green’s Stone Polish or Gel Gloss’ Granite & Tile Counter Gloss periodically, too.


BEST ADVICE
Daily: Truthfully, hot water and a sponge are sufficient to wipe up spills and debris and keep your countertops clean and tidy throughout the day. At the end of the day, a quick spray and wipe of the most heavily used areas with a stone cleaner will adequately clean, disinfect and protect your countertops. Another product that we recommend is Gel Gloss, which can be found at most home improvement stores.

Yearly: Annual re-sealing is a good idea. It’s a simple process, and granite sealer is readily available at most hardware stores or anywhere that granite is sold.

For additional cleaning tips, CLICK HERE.