Tips on Cleaning Granite Countertops
Granite is a hard surface yet is still has some porous properties. It does have to be sealed annually. There are many different sealers on the market; simply follow the directions for the type of sealer you buy. Overall it does not take long but the long term effects are significant. Sealing will keep water from absorbing into the granite countertop and damaging the shine, which makes it dull and lifeless.
Daily cleaning is best done with a damp cloth and a few drops of mild dish detergent. If not overly dirty use a clean soft cloth that is dampened with hot water. Do not use any harsh chemicals as they will erode the sealing. After cleaning, the surface needs to be dried with a soft cloth or paper towel. There are no two pieces of granite alike so you want to keep it clean and shining. Granite is very sanitary and does not hold bacteria and other harmful bugs like porous countertops do.
There are several brands of ready to use pop up wipes for sealing and cleaning a granite coutertop. These wipes are the perfect solution for wiping down your granite countertops at the end of the day. They condition and clean with the perfect PH balance. It is still a good idea to dry the counter with a plain white paper towel after cleaning to really bring out the beauty and shine of the counter. The sealing wipes should be used as directed for annual or biannual sealing.
Granite does stain. Stains based in oil such as butter, margarine and olive oil are best removed out with a weak ammonia solution. First, blot the area with a clean white paper towel, then clean with a soft cloth and the ammonia solution. Rinse thoroughly then dry. Cleaning too often with ammonia will permanently dull the surface of the granite. Just like carpet, the quicker you get the potential staining material out the less likely it is to stain. For water stains let the area dry completely, allowing the water to completely evaporate.
To conclude, granite is easy to care for but requires regular maintenance to maintain its shine. Taken care of properly the counter will last forever.