Granite Countertops Care

The rule of thumb is never to use anything you wouldn't normally use on your hands. Never use powdered cleansers or abrasive pads to clean your stone. Even "soft scrub" type cleaners contain pumice, which is powdered volcanic stone, and might damage your stone countertops or floors. Never use any product that is acidic; this includes substances like ammonia or many common liquid cleaners such as Windex. You should always use sealers and cleaning products designed specifically for natural stone.

Though granite is a hard and non porous stone that is unaffected by most chemicals it still requires care while cleaning so that they continue looking beautiful for many years. While cleaning, the use of harsh chemicals should be avoided.

Here are few recommendations to keep granite surface clean:

1. 1. Spills have a tendency to soak into the surface, so to avoid deep staining wipe up spills immediately.



2. 2. For stone surfaces a neutral cleaner, such as stone soap or mild dishwashing liquid and warm water, is safe to use. Too much cleaner or soap may leave a film and cause streaks. After using the soap solution, the surface should be rinsed properly. Finish off by drying with a soft, clean cloth.



3. 3. If you do happen to stain the surface, removal depends on the type of stain. First, try removing it with this paste: mix together a cup of flour, 1-2 tablespoons of dishwashing liquid, and water. Place the paste over the stain, cover in plastic wrap, and leave overnight. In the morning, use a wooden utensil to scrape away the paste and give it a rinse. This should work except for stains made from grease, oil, or milk. (this method is not for honed surfaces)



4. 4. For organic stains resulting from coffee, tea, or fruit, a mixture of 12% hydrogen peroxide and water should work wonders.



5. 5. Ink, marker and wine stains on darker stone require pure acetone for removal. Hydrogen peroxide works well on light-colored granite also.



6. 6. Another method to remove wine, ink, or any other non-oil stain is to mix molding plaster and pure bleach into a paste. Apply for 30 minutes, remove, and rinse. (this method is not for honed surfaces)



7. 7. For oil-based or fat-based stains, create a paste of molding plaster and water. Keep it on the stain for 3 hours and then remove and rinse. (this method is not for honed surfaces)



8. 8. Granite countertops require resealing annually (semi annually if heavily used). Of course, on surfaces that will be used for food preparation, use a non-toxic sealer.



9. 9. New disinfectant cleaners on the market now come in formulas designed for granite countertops - purchase this type of product if you prefer disinfectant cleaners to other cleaning options.



10. 10. Use coasters, especially for alcoholic and citrus beverages, as the acid in these drinks can dull the stone's surface.



11. 11. Keep hot items off the surface. In the kitchen extremely hot pans should not be kept over granite slabs since it quickly absorbs heat and distributes it out.



12. 12. Always test these cleaning methods on small discreet area for color fastness or granite damage.

Do's & Don'ts

• *Do clean surfaces with mild detergent or stone soap
• *Do thoroughly rinse and dry the surface after washing
• *Do blot up spills immediately
• *Do protect countertop surfaces with coasters, trivets or placemats
• *Don't use ammonia, vinegar, lemon juice or other cleaners containing acids on granite, marble, limestone, travertine or onyx surfaces The acid in high concentration etches the surface.
• *Don't use cleaners that contain acid such as bathroom cleaners, grout cleaners or tub & tile cleaners
• *Don't use abrasive cleaners such as dry cleansers or soft cleansers
• *Don't mix bleach and ammonia; this combination creates a toxic and lethal gas