How To Clean And Seal Granite Countertops

To keep your granite looking similar new, it's going to have a little specialized care. Using the incorrect cleaning products on natural stone can scratch, mar, and discolor the finish. Too, using the wrong cleaning implements tin can cause damage, too. That'due south why we've put together Your Ultimate Guide to Cleaning and Caring for Granite Countertops. Information technology has all the tips yous need to keep your granite looking spectacular.

Got granite? Few elements add together such beauty to your kitchen as a sweeping expanse of a polished granite countertop. Granite raises the resale value of your home and lends an upscale appearance to your favorite space. But this natural rock finish also requires specialized care to go on it looking vivid and new. Apply the incorrect cleaner or the wrong cleaning method, and y'all can practise costly harm.

Cleaners that incorporate bleach, ammonia, vinegar, lemon, lime, or citric acid cause huge problems when used on delicate granite. In fact, they can crusade a range of issues that are hard to repair, including:

Sealant damage
Etching
Pitting
Staining
Reduced polish

If you're currently using cleaners such as these, stop right abroad. Opt instead for cleaning solutions that take been especially derived to make clean natural rock such as granite. Here'southward what nosotros recommend:

Chemical-Based Cleaners for Granite

Chemical-based cleaners should only exist used if they specifically say safe for granite on the label. Otherwise, they could contain corrosive or irritating ingredients that will wearisome, pit, or scar your countertops. Happily, market shelves are filled with cleaners that will clean your granite without damaging it, including:

The Granite Gold Line of Products

Since the 1950s, Granite Golden, Inc has helped homeowners care for their natural stone surfaces, including granite. Their products are made with preservation in mind, and they clean granite and other natural stone surfaces safely and easily. Look for the Granite Gold Label.

Granite Golden comes in spray formula, dispensable daily cleaning wipes, and refill bottles. They also sell specially designed microfiber cloths that clean and polish without scratching. There is also a granite scrub sponge that'south non-annoying for tough, stuck-on messes.

Weiman Granite Cleaner

Source: Weiman

Weiman products are also safety for granite and natural rock countertops. Weiman sells an aerosol cleaning spray, pump bottle, disposable wipes, squirt bottles, cleaning kits, and more. Weiman products claim to clean while enhancing the color and veining in your granite. Additionally, they assistance reduce the appearance of scratches and better luster and shine. That's a win-win for homeowners who love granite.

Other Granite Cleaners

Source: Carbona

Many other companies sell granite cleaners, microfiber cloths, daily cleaning wipes, and more. They include Black Diamond, Rock Doctor, Stone Care, Carbona, and more. All have been formulated to care for granite countertops without damaging them. The take-away is to make sure the cleaner y'all purchase has been granite-approved. Annihilation less won't practise.

More Well-nigh Chemical- Based Granite Cleaners

While chemic-based cleaners made for countertops are condom for nutrient surfaces, they do still comprise chemicals that some homeowners may notice harsh. If you adopt natural alternatives to chemic cleaners, in that location are plenty of found-based cleaners on the market that does a skilful job of helping you maintain a gorgeous granite stop. These won't introduce boosted solvents or oil-based chemicals into your kitchen or bathroom.

All-Natural, Plant-Based Cleaners for Granite

Apply circumspection when purchasing plant-based cleaners for granite. Many contain citric acid every bit an ingredient. Though many multi-purpose cleaners claim to exist safe for natural stone, ones that incorporate citric acid should be avoided. Here's what we recommend in all-natural cleaners for granite:

HAUS Naturals Granite Cleaner

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We're cleaning upward with the cleaning articles lately and we just tin't help but put our favorite all-natural cleaning brand HAUS Naturals at the top of nonetheless another listing and that's considering this chemical-free, biodegradable, lovely smelling granite cleaner rocks. It cleans like a dream. Is very nicely priced. All-in-all, information technology's crawly.

Method Daily Granite Cleaner Spray

From the Method line of all-natural cleaning products, this daily granite cleaner comes in a pump spray bottle and an apple tree orchard scent. Safe for granite and other types of natural rock, Method's cleaner is found-based and naturally derived. It's not tested on animals, and the bottle is 100-percentage recyclable.

Therapy Granite Cleaner and Polish

Therapy Granite Cleaner is a non-toxic and solvent-costless solution for maintaining natural rock finishes such equally countertops. Boasting a clean, fresh scent and a neutral PH, information technology's condom for granite, marble, and other types of natural stone. Available in a two-pack of spray pump bottles or equally a kit with a unmarried bottle and microfiber cloth, Therapy is a popular option of all-natural granite cleaner.

Stone Doctor Granite Cleaner (New Natural Formula)

Plant-derived and safe for natural stone, including granite, Rock Md'south new natural formula contains no harsh chemicals. Non-abrasive, with a fresh-smelling coconut odour, it comes in a pump spray bottle that'southward 100-percent recyclable.

DIY Granite Cleaner

Gear up to try your mitt at whipping up a practise-it-yourself granite cleaner? The ingredients you lot demand to make information technology are likely already in your cupboards and medicine cabinet. In that location are several recipes that work well on granite without causing scratches, pitting, or other damage. We propose giving the post-obit concoctions a try:

Granite Cleaner Using Rubbing Alcohol

One-half cup of rubbing alcohol
One half-teaspoon dish liguid
I and half cups warm water
20 drops of your favorite essential oil for scent

Combine all ingredients in a make clean spray bottle and shake well. Use it to spritz on granite countertops, backsplashes, and floors. Utilize a soft, dry microfiber cloth to wipe off immediately. Never allow h2o, cleaners, or other liquids to pool and set on granite, every bit staining may result.

Granite Cleaner using Dish Soap and Water

One of the easiest solutions to use in cleaning granite is a simple mixture of warm water and dish soap.

Moisture a soft, not-abrasive sponge
Add a eject of dish soap and massage the sponge
Wring dry and employ to wipe down countertops using round motions
Wipe counters dry out to avert streaking

Utilize circumspection when following DIY granite-cleaning tutorials from the internet. Many tout the powers of vinegar or hydrogen peroxide every bit safe for granite when they're not. Be sure to enquiry any foreign combinations that friends recommend before subjecting your beautiful granite countertops to a mixture that could cause costly harm.

All-time Tools and Materials to Utilise on Granite

The tools and materials that you utilize on your granite countertops make a difference, too. Sponges or pads that are too abrasive tin scratch, mar, or otherwise damage the finish. They tin likewise impairment or remove the sealant in areas if y'all scrub too vigorously. In one case the topcoat of sealant has failed on granite countertops, the surface returns to its original porous country. This allows water and liquids to permeate the rock, causing stubborn stains that are hard to remove.

To keep your natural stone countertops looking new and performing well, utilise only granite-approved tools and cleaning implements such as these:

Soft sponge

Soft sponges are good at belongings water if you need to practise a trivial scrubbing to remove stubborn, stuck-on droppings. Use sponges that have no metallic or fiberglass fibers to avoid leaving scratches behind.

Microfiber cloth

Probably the best choice for cleaning surfaces such as granite or marble, a uncomplicated microfiber cloth can be used wet or dry and won't mar your countertop in any way. These cloths tin be purchased in the kitchen cleaning section of most retailers, or as office of granite-cleaning kits offered by various manufacturers.

Dispensable wipe

Use only the dispensable wipes that are particularly formulated to make clean granite. Use a wipe one time so throw it away. For heavy cleaning duties, use multiple wipes.

Specially formulated scrubbing sponge

These sponges are commonly two-sided. One side is soft, and the other has been designed with a nubby surface to help remove stubborn dirt. It should exist noted that sponges similar these should say non-abrasive. Otherwise, they may cause scratches.

Cleaning kit

Granite cleaning kits usually incorporate everything yous need to clean your countertops in one convenient parcel. For instance, your cleaning kit may include a spray bottle of cleaning formula, a refill canteen of cleaning formula, and a microfiber cleaning cloth or granite-safe sponge.

Granite-safe scraper

These are usually made of difficult plastic and can exist used to scrape tough debris or soap residue from granite without scratching the finish.

Proper Care and Maintenance of Granite Countertops

In one case information technology'due south been sealed, a granite countertop performs well with relatively trivial maintenance, simply some special care is required. This includes having to reapply seal periodically and taking care in how forcefully you scrub when cleaning. Keep these tips in mind when caring for granite:

Wipe Up Spills Immediately

Whatever type of substance that's immune to pool or remain on your granite countertops could cause stubborn stains to course. It could likewise damage the finish, weaken the sealant, and cause liquids to sink into the porous rock.

Avert Using Annoying Materials

Annoying powders, steel wool, and other cleaning agents and materials that could scratch or mar your natural stone should be avoided. If you need to remove stubborn droppings that's stuck on, use multiple applications of mild soap and water, wiped on with a soft material. Clean in gentle, circular motions.

Wipe Granite Countertops Downwards Daily

To avoid being faced with stuck-on droppings and stains, wipe your granite countertops down daily with plain dish soap and water. Use a stronger, granite-approved cleaning agent occasionally if circumstances demand.

Utilise Cutting Boards, Coasters, and Hot Pads Atop Granite

Protect natural stone countertops by using cut boards to chop meats and vegetables. Never place hot pans directly atop granite. Use a hot pad instead. Identify coasters under hot and cold beverages to keep rings from forming.

Removing Stains from Granite

If stubborn stains begin to discolor the appearance of your pristine countertops, there are DIY solutions you tin utilize to assist lessen their appearance. Earlier applying any harsh chemicals or agents to your granite, however, bank check your manufacturer'due south recommendations on how to remove stains. Ingredients that may exist helpful include baking soda, rubbing alcohol, acetone, or diatomaceous earth, mixed with other materials, fabricated into poultices, and placed over the stain overnight. Granite Care Pro offers a comprehensive guide for removing stains from granite.

How Often Should Y'all Reseal Granite Countertops?

Granite manufacturers once advised homeowners to reseal their granite countertops annually. But thanks to advancements in materials and design, sealants now last much longer. Exactly how oftentimes y'all should reseal your countertops depends on several factors, including:

Whether your countertops see calorie-free or heavy usage
How often you employ chemical-based cleaners on your granite
The types of cleaners yous routinely use
The type of sealer y'all're using

To check if your countertop needs the reapplication of a sealant, utilise the driblet test. Simply allow a few droplets of water to sit down on the counter for several minutes. If they bead up and wait to be wiped away, your sealant is all the same effective. If they absorb into the countertop, it's time to reseal. Yous can stretch the length of time between reapplications by using chemical-based granite cleaners that besides contain sealant. Every time you make clean, trace amounts of sealant are reapplied. Stonetech Revitalizer by DuPont is a good choice.

Source: https://www.homestratosphere.com/how-to-clean-granite-countertops/

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