Safely Cleaning Your Granite Countertops

By Maid Brigade of Northern Connecticut

We all love the look of granite countertops, but how do you clean them? What’s safe to use?

You really don’t need any special cleaners to get them shiny and streak-free.

The first thing you’ll want to do to keep them clean is to make sure that you granite countertop is sealed. While granite is a very hard surface and less porous than marble, unsealed or weakly sealed granite will soak up oils, spills, and stains.

To check whether your granite is sealed, leave a few drops of water on the surface. If it beads up, you have a secure seal. If after a few minutes the water has soaked into the granite, then it’s time to reseal the stone.

Also, as soon as you notice a spill, wipe it up.

For daily wipe downs, use warm water, a mild or gentle dish soap, and a washcloth or microfiber cloth.

For tough stains, use some baking soda. Don’t use harsh or abrasive cleaners and sponges, Windex, acidic cleaners like vinegar, lemon, lime, or anything with ammonia or bleach. Frequent use of these chemicals will dull and weaken the sealant over time. Basically, the harsher the cleaner, the quicker it will break down the sealant.

Ready to disinfect the surface?

A well-sealed granite countertop is relatively impervious to bacteria. Hot water and dish soap should be adequate for daily sanitizing.

However, if a stronger disinfectant is desired, mix together a solution of water and isopropyl alcohol. Spray it onto the granite and allow it to sit for 3-5 minutes. Then, rinse it with water and dry it with a clean microfiber cloth.

Need some help around the house? Give Maid Brigade of Central Connecticut a call at 860-645-6243 and we’ll help you out.