There are a lot of things that make granite countertops more acceptable nowadays. A granite countertop comes with everything you need in a countertop. Granite is one of the strongest stones found in nature that can resist any kind of bacteria or pathogen. Most people love granite countertops because of durability, and is also heat, stain, scratch-resistant. But many people don’t know how to clean a granite countertop properly, these 10 tips for cleaning granite countertops could be useful for you.
Granite is an igneous rock so that you can use countertops and for many indoor or outdoor decorations. Granite is a composition of quartz and feldspar that has a wide range of color variations and unique design combinations. That’s why granite becomes the top of the people’s choice as countertops materials. You can find the best quality granite countertops at Granite Countertops Boston Ma.
What Can Be Used To Clean Granite Countertops?
Cleaning is essential to remove dirt or stain from any countertops. But before starting cleaning with any harmful chemical or chemical compound that can harm your expensive granite countertops, you should know what you should avoid to clean granite countertops and why.
Any acid-based cleaner is harmful to any type of stone countertops. So it is important to know that you should avoid acid-based cleaners on granite, for example, lemon, orange, vinegar, or any bleach-based commercial cleaners that use citrus oils or extracts. Using acid-based cleaner can degrade the sealant and makes your countertops look dull and lackluster.
Do not use any Clorox disinfecting wipes on any granite countertops. You should also avoid cleaning products that contain:
- Vinegar
- Lemon
- Ammonia
- Bleach
- Citric acid
You should also never use some common household cleaners that can be harmful to granite countertops. For example:
- Formula 409
- Windex
- Lysol or Lysol Wipes
- Formula 409
- Soft Scrub
Any of the above cleaner and cleaning products can affect your granite countertops lifespan, finish and can be the cause of change or fade the color.
10 Tips for Cleaning Granite Countertops
In this section, we will reveal important tips for cleaning granite countertops. These 10 tips for cleaning granite countertops can help you to clean your countertop more effectively.
- You can clean your granite countertops by wiping the countertop surface with hot, soapy water and using it thoroughly for better results. You can also make a solution of isopropyl alcohol and water to wipe out the counter surface properly.
- Always make sure that your granite countertop is sealed correctly. Granite is a strong and stain-resistant stone, but it can be porous if the seal is expired or not properly sealed by experts. In this case, you can check your granite surface seal by dropping some water on it. If you see water soaks into the surface of the countertops, you have to repair or reseal; otherwise, you can contract with your builder.
- Dust off the counter surface before you wipe to clean the countertop. And you have to make sure that you never use any dry or wet abrasive cleaners on the granite surface. Abrasive cleaner and dust can scratch on the countertop, and it could damage the stone.
- Avoid any kind of acid-based, harsh cleaners, or any product that contains citric acid for cleaning granite. All of these can damage the granite countertop surface over time.
- You can get a great result of cleaning any granite countertop surface using any soft cloth, mild dish soap, and a little elbow grease. When you clean and wile regularly, these products can help you keep your countertop in good shape.
- If spills, any drinks like coffee, juices, or sodas wipe out as soon as possible with a damp cloth. It can prevent soaking into stone if you have a seal that is a little less than perfect condition.
- If your granite countertop needs disinfecting, You can make a solution of water and isopropyl alcohol by taking 50% of isopropyl and 50% water. And take it in a spray bottle and spray where needed and leave for a few minutes before wipe off.
- If your granite countertop accidentally becomes scratched or chipped, do not try to fix or repair it yourself. Granite is very tricky to repair. You should contact a local specialist to refinish and repair it as necessary.
- If you have to remove the stubborn stain, you can use baking soda. You can make a paste with baking soda and water to remove any type of oil-based stain. Also, you can make a paste using baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to remove any water-based stains from coffee, juice, wine, or any other split.
- Most importantly, before dealing with any type of Complications with granite countertops, you should follow the builder’s instruction or contract with them.
How To Disinfect Granite
Sometimes only cleaning is not enough for a countertop. If you are out of home for a long time, it is important to disinfect your countertop surface before use. You can make your disinfectant in your home. You just need isopropyl alcohol with water and dish soap.
First, take one part of alcohol with three-parts of water and a few drops of dish soap into a spray bottle. Now shake and spray and wait 10 minutes to kill bacteria and other pathogens. Now just wipe and clean the surface.
How to Remove Stains
To remove any stubborn stains from granite, you can use several different pasts or solutions. Some of the best effective pasts can be made at home with baking soda and water, talc with a diluted solution of ammonia, bleach, or hydrogen peroxide. They are very effective and easy to make stain remover.
Wrap Up
Now we are at the end of our discussion. It is proven that granite countertops need less maintenance than any other stone countertops. But if you try to clean your granite countertops with any acid-based cleaner, it can be a cause of permanent damage like the change of the color, silent scratch.
These 10 tips for cleaning granite countertops will come in handy If you want a shiny or a neat and clean countertop. Besides, you can use a little bit of cooking oil on and wipe with a soft cleaning cloth across the countertop. This is a simple way to keep your countertop look more glossy and shiny.
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