How to Clean Granite Countertops

A HELPFUL ARTICLE from our team

How to Clean Granite Countertops

Cleaning granite countertops can be a bit of a mystery, right?  You may be wondering what products to use? Maybe just as important, you may be wondering what products could be harmful to this natural stone?  Guess what, it’s much easier than you might think.

how to clean granite countertops

What Products Not to Use

Sometimes, it’s just as powerful to know what not to use when attempting to clean granite countertops.  For the most part, please avoid using harsh chemicals, acidic cleaners, or abrasive scrubbing tools.

If you’re anything like us, under your kitchen sink reside several cleaners.  We’ve got Clorox wipes, Lysol Lemon-Scented All-Purpose Cleaner, Soft Scrub, and so on.  But, once natural stone countertops are installed, those cleaners become almost obsolete.

Even though they are the quick choice for unexpected spills, unfortunately, they can damage the granite.  Even frequent use of vinegar (sometimes used as an alternative to chemical cleaners) or Windex will dull the granite and weaken the sealant.  But rest assured, there is an answer just as simple.

The Best Way to Clean Granite Countertops

The best, and maybe even the easiest, way to clean granite countertops is with warm water, mild dish soap, and a soft microfiber cloth.

Add dish soap and warm water to a sponge, work up a good lather by wiping/scrubbing your countertops from back to front in an “S” pattern.

In a hurry?  You’ll still want to be sure to wipe up spills as soon as possible.  Not only is that good housekeeping, it is also helping your stone.  Granite isn’t as porous as marble.  However, it can be susceptible to soaking up oils and other foods that will stain (e.g., tomato sauce, blueberries).

The Definition of a Mild Dish Soap

It may seem silly, but it’s good to know what qualifies for mild when it comes to dish soap.  Typically, mild detergent is a hand washing dish soap that only contains surfactants that dissolve dirt and grease.  This is opposed to soap that also contains builders.  Those would be considered moderately strong detergent.  Enjoy the list below for some popular “mild” detergents to clean your granite countertops:

  • Dawn (this is our recommendation)
  • Joy
  • Ivory
  • Seventh Generation
  • Ecover
  • Dishmate

TO LEARN MORE:

To learn more about natural stone, or the Stone Central team, visit our website at StoneCentralSC.com

– Bonni