Cleaning your granite countertops is a breeze once you know the simple steps! We’ve compiled everything you need to know about granite countertop care for you. Here’s what you need to know to keep your granite countertops looking fabulous for decades.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Daily
Hot water and a dish rag or sponge are all you need to clean spills and wipe away crumbs throughout the day. Yes, it’s that easy to keep them clean!
Weekly
Clear your countertops and use a granite cleaner over the entire surface – including edges. This will remove all dust, debris, and hidden spills that collect around appliances, containers, etc.
Using a specific granite cleaner conditions the stone, protects the sealer, and helps maintain its overall luster. We suggest using this granite cleaner. It’s what we personally use on our granite countertops. This cleaner is gentle enough for daily cleanings as well. We can’t recommend it enough!
Monthly
A temporary granite polish, like this, can be used periodically to enhance your countertops shine. Aim to complete this task once a month, but you can do it once a week with your deeper clean if you’d like!
This type of product provides extra protection to your granite, helps eliminate fingerprints, and enhances the shine (like waxing a car). It makes your daily and weekly cleanings a bit easier too! Keep in mind that this product isn’t permanent, and it will wear off with regular use and cleaning, it doesn’t replace sealing your countertop – it just helps to project it!
Yearly
You’ll hear and read that you should be sealing your granite every one to three years, but that isn’t set in stone (pun intended). The easiest way to know when it’s time to reseal your granite is when you start to notice that water around the sink is darkening the stone.
Other Guidelines
The simplest way to keep your stone looking great is to avoid habits that may damage it. Here are some “dos and don’ts” to living with granite countertops.
Do blot of spills immediately. Acidic substances like wine, coffee, soda, tomato, and other fruit juices will not etch granite, but they could stain the surface. Similarly, cooking oils may also lean a stain if not wiped up.
Do clean surfaces using a sponge or soft cloth. Hot water is all you need for quick, daily clean-ups. Using dish soap occasionally is ok, but it will build-up and dull your countertops shine – even if you rinse. Instead, use a specially formulated natural stone and granite cleaner to protect your sealer and keep your countertops in the best condition possible.
Do use trivets and hot pads under pots and pans. You can take a hot pot off the stove and place it right on your granite countertops without any problems. However, remember that it is possible for granite to suffer “thermal shock” and crack. It’s rare, but it can happen, so use a hot pad!
Do use a cutting board. Cutting directly on the stone will dull and damage your knives and could possibly scratch your countertops.
Don’t use vinegar, ammonia, lemon, or orange to clean your countertops. It’s best to avoid anything that isn’t specifically recommended by the countertops manufacturer. As stated above, using warm water and soft cloth is perfect for cleaning your granite countertops.
Don’t use bathroom tub, tile, or grout cleaners. These cleaning powders (even the “soft” creams) contain abrasives that will scratch and dull your countertops surface.
Don’t sit or stand on your countertops. To protect your countertops from cracking, do not sit or stand on your granite countertops.
Don’t store liquids or toiletries directly on your countertops. Even when sealed, a substance that remains on the surface of granite for an extended period may cause a stain. Be proactive about storing your products on a shelf or decorative tray and be diligent about cleaning up any messes as they happen. Products to watch out for: cooking oils, hair products, creams, lotions, perfumes, colognes, and nail products to name a few.
As you can see, if you keep up with your cleaning routines and are using the appropriate cleaners, caring for your granite countertops is truly a breeze. We hope these tips are helpful whether you are planning for your dream remodel or just finished one!
Have a kitchen remodel in your future? Be sure to download our free Kitchen Remodeling Guide to learn everything you need to know about remodeling your kitchen. We love making the remodeling process smooth for you and can’t wait to chat when you’re ready!