If you remember the day you had your granite countertops or the day you moved into your new home you know how breath taking your granite can look. Unforturnately, over time and just normal use your grantie countertops and floors can lose their luster. Before we get into how to get that shine back, let’s go over some suggestions to ensure we aren’t self inducing the damage.
What not to use when cleaning your granite floors and countertops
- Orange, lemon, or other citrus cleaners
- Grout Cleaners
- Bleach
- Ammonia
- Vinegar
- Bath Tile Cleaners
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Disinfectants
- Glass Cleaners
The cleaners listed above do one of two things. They either strip the granite of any sealer that has been installed or they are oil based and can cause staining. Granite is very chemical resistant but has a weakness to oil because it is porous.
How to clean your granite countertop and floor
There’s no need to go and buy expensive granite cleaners, unless of course you like wasting money. A 3:1 mixture of water to rubbing alcohol with a couple drops of dish soap works great. Store it in a spray bottle and I highly recommend grabbing some microfiber towels. Spray the counter top lightly and let it set for 30 seconds before you wipe up the cleaner and then lightly buff. For stubborn spots, spray them aggressively and let them soak in the cleaner. after 1-2 minutes they’ll be much easier to remove.
For stubborn sticky spots like dried syrup or ice cream a razor works great in lifting the grime. Also pay close attention to the edging, on granite countertops this is a notorious spot for food and grime to build up. Not only is it filth, but guests often touch the smooth granite and the edge is the first thing they touch.