how to clean granite countertops

How to Clean Granite Countertops

Granite kitchen countertops are a popular choice for many homeowners. This natural stone is beautiful, resists bacteria and staining, and gives off a lustrous shine. However, just like any other surface in your home, granite requires regular cleaning to keep it looking its best. In this blog post, we will discuss the best ways to clean granite countertops using simple dish soap and water.
If you would rather consult with a stone restoration professional, feel free to give us a call and we will be more than happy to assist you.

Why use Granite Countertops?

Granite's versatility makes it an almost must-have in new houses and refurbished kitchens, with its wide range of hues and designs. 

Granite is highly prized for its beauty and is used for kitchen and bathroom vanity countertops, as well as backsplashes, desktops, fireplace mantels, and even floor tiles. 
Because granite is naturally resistant to bacterial growth, it's ideal for both kitchens and bathrooms.

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Best Maintenance Products For Stone Surfaces

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    Glean Quartz and Granite Cleaner

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Is Granite Porous?

Granite is a porous natural stone that is very durable. However, granite is porous, so it must be maintained with regular maintenance and cleaning. Granite's beauty and longevity may be preserved if properly cared for. After installation, the granite is almost always sealed. 

The stone will need to be resealed every two to four years to maintain its brilliant sheen and prevent difficult-to-remove stains.
Resealing should be performed by a professional natural stone restorer.

The best way to clean a granite surface is to utilize the appropriate cleaning products, like baking soda, which may be found in your kitchen.
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Best Way to Clean Granite Countertops

When cleaning granite, avoid using harsh chemicals, acidic cleansers, or abrasive scrubbing brushes. It's better to use a little bit of neutral dish soap and water. You can also use a soft sponge or cloth to avoid scratching the surface. Wipe up spills immediately, as they can stain granite if left for too long.

To clean your granite countertops on a daily basis, start by wiping them down with a damp cloth or sponge. If there are any tough stains, you can gently scrub them with a soft-bristled brush and soapy water. Rinse the area with clean water and dry it off with a soft cloth.

Periodically, you should also give your granite countertops a deep clean. To do this, mix equal parts dish soap and warm water in a bowl. Dip a sponge or cloth into the mixture and wring it out so it's not dripping wet. 

Gently scrub the surface of your countertop in a circular motion, taking care to avoid any sensitive areas like seams or edges. Rinse the surface with clean water and dry it off with a soft cloth.

Maintenance Tips For Natural Stone Surfaces

Marble Cleaning Tips
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Marble Cleaning Tips
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How to Care for Granite Countertops

If the countertop is not sealed, or the sealant has worn off, you'll need to address it right away.
A layer of sealant is applied to all granite countertop installations. The pores in natural stone are sealed with this top layer. 

Every two to four years, reseal your granite worktops to keep them clean. When it becomes difficult to wipe spills or water droplets don't bead up anymore it's time to reseal your counters.


It is possible to reseal granite countertops yourself, but you'll get better results if you hire a granite professional to do it for you.

Harsh chemicals can damage the sealant on your granite countertops, so it's important to use mild, pH-neutral cleaners.

For general cleaning, all you need is a little dish soap and water. You can also use a soft sponge or cloth to avoid scratching the surface. Wipe up spills immediately, as they can stain granite if left for too long.

How to Clean Granite Countertops Step by Step Guide

You're now ready to begin cleaning after you've properly sealed the countertop. For the best way to clean granite, use these instructions:

Do not use harsh chemicals, acidic cleaners, or abrasive scrubbing tools: Use warm water, mild dish soap, and a soft microfiber cloth to clean it. Avoid using vinegar, which can dull the granite and weaken the sealant. Also, avoid using abrasive scrubbing tools that might scratch the stone.

Wipe up spills as soon as you can: Granite is less porous than marble, so it absorbs less oil and stains. Nonetheless, you should clean spills as soon as possible with a soft cloth as a basic precaution.

Clean with warm water and a couple of drops of dish soap: Wipe the surface clean with a wet cloth and some soap. Once you've cleaned the whole surface, rinse your rag and wipe down the counter using fresh water to remove any soap residue.

To avoid spreading food, dirt, or grease around, wring your rag in clean water from time to time. After cleaning with the soap, rinse your towel and wipe again to ensure no soap residue remains on the granite worktop.

Dry the granite countertop: Use a clean microfiber cloth to dry the granite counters after you're done, or else water spots may develop.

Consider using special granite countertop cleaner: Look for granite countertop cleaning solutions in the cleaning aisles of your grocery store. It's not necessary to use special cleaners; warm water and soap will suffice—but if you want to use it, this is an option.

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Marble Cleaning & Polishing Services in London

We are a family-run business based in Canary Wharf, London, offering professional marble restoration services in the greater London area. With years of experience, our skilled team is dedicated to restoring the beauty and elegance of your marble surfaces to their original glory. Whether your marble surfaces are dull, stained, scratched, or damaged, we can provide a tailored restoration solution to meet your specific needs. Our services include cleaning, polishing, honing, repairing cracks and chips, and sealing to protect against future damage. 
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If you would rather consult with a stone restoration professional, feel free to give us a call and we will be more than happy to assist you.

How to Remove Stains from Granite

If you clean your granite countertop on regularly, the majority of the time, it will remain in excellent shape. If you spill something and it leaves a stain, though, you'll need to do a little more thorough cleaning. Use these suggestions to remove stains from your countertop without harming the natural stone:

Use a baking soda paste: Baking soda can be used to remove just about any liquid that you spilled, whether it's oil, water, or something else. Regardless of what you spilled, baking soda is likely to help. Make a paste with equal amounts of water and baking soda to clean an oil-based stain. If the problem is a water-based stain, combine hydrogen peroxide.
Apply the paste liberally over the affected area: Using a clean, dry cloth, wipe down the counter after each use. Rinse it thoroughly afterward. Repeat as needed.

Tackle tough stains: Try to avoid over-cleaning. If the stain isn't removed after repeated scrubbing, reapply the paste and cover the area with plastic wrap before taping down the edges. Leave the homemade stain remover on for at least 8 hours or overnight. Then rinse and dry the granite carefully to see if there is any residue remaining.

Common Cleaning Products That can do More Harm Than Good

Here is a selection of the worst cleaning products for your granite countertops:

Windex: Windex contains chemicals that can harm your granite's finish. While Windex's most common impact is to dull the sheen of kitchen worktops, it may also induce pitting. Windex may cause your granite worktops to lose their sealer and make them prone to staining and other damage.

Bleach: Granite sealers are easily damaged by bleach. Bleach can destroy your countertops' sealant as well as cause staining due to granite's permeability.

Lysol Lemon All-Purpose Cleaner: Lysol Lemon All-Purpose Cleaner, which includes both ammonia and lemon, is not a good choice for cleaning granite countertops. The acid in lemons is believed to cause granite countertop sealants to deteriorate. Ammonia can also scratch the surface of your granite and even devour it over time.
All-purpose cleaners are widely regarded as being too aggressive for the sealers used on granite countertops.

Clorox All-Purpose Cleaner with Bleach: This all-purpose cleanser includes harsh chemicals such as bleach. As previously said, bleach can harm granite countertops, making this product unsuitable for usage. The fragrances in this polish may also cause your sealant to erode.

Disinfecting Wipes: All disinfecting wipes are extremely useful for cleaning, but they can cause issues on granite countertops. The citric acid in the wipes is extremely harmful to the sealant used on granite counters.

Pledge Multi-Surface Cleaner: Pledge has a well-known lemony odor, and it is this lemon scent that causes huge issues for granite worktops. The citric acid in this cleaner may harm your countertop sealer, allowing the stone to be damaged.

Windex Multi-Surface with Vinegar: The vinegar in Windex Multi-Surface with Vinegar can cause your granite countertops to become dull and etched. Cleaning your granite counters using vinegar is probably going to do more harm than good. Furthermore, all-purpose cleaners and Windex products are frequently not suited for use on granite worktops.

Although there are a plethora of other damaging granite cleaners on the market, these are some of the most popular products used to clean granite that may have a detrimental influence on the lifespan of your countertops.

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Final Thoughts On How to Best Clean Granite Countertops

In conclusion, granite countertops are a beautiful and popular addition to many kitchens. However, they require special care when it comes to cleaning. Avoid using harsh chemicals, acidic cleaners, or abrasive scrubbing tools.

Instead, opt for dish soap and water. With proper care, your granite countertops will last for years to come.

 Do you have any tips on how to best clean granite countertops? Let us know in the comments below!

Don't forget you can call us anytime if you have any questions or concerns about how best to look after your natural stone countertops or floors.

Further Reading: Marble Cleaning and Polishing Tips and Tricks

Discover the latest tips and tricks for marble cleaning and polishing, as well as other stone surfaces, by checking out the posts below. Our expert advice will help you maintain the beauty and durability of your stone surfaces for years to come. Whether you need to remove stains, prevent damage, or protect your surfaces from wear and tear, we have got you covered. Browse our posts now and discover practical solutions for all your marble cleaning and polishing needs, and more.

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Marble Renovation is a family-owned business situated in Canary Wharf, London, with more than 35 years of expertise in stone restoration.
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