There’s nothing like the shine and beauty of a granite countertop. The various minerals in the stone can create a stunning visual display to add depth to your space. However, without the proper care and maintenance, your beautiful granite countertop can quickly lose its luster.
Here are a few pro tips on cleaning and disinfecting your granite surface!
Cleaning A Granite Countertop
Granite is an extremely hard surface, but it is also very porous and can absorb a variety of liquids. For this reason, it is important to clean the surface effectively and safely. Here’s how.
Step One: Choose a mild cleaner that will remove dirt and grime without stripping the shine from the surface of the granite. Avoid acidic cleaners such as bleach, vinegar, ammonia, and other household cleaners. The acidity in those products will strip away layers of sealant. You can take mild dish soap and dilute it with water, or find a professional one formulated for granite. MORE™ Stone & Quartz Cleaner - w/Antimicrobial Protection is an excellent option for this task.
Step Two: Choose a white microfiber cloth. The microfiber will help remove any sediment that gets trapped in the pores of the stone. Choosing white is always a safe option to avoid any staining of the granite by a colored cloth. Certain dyes can bleed out of the cloth and onto the granite, so it’s safe to just use white.
Step Three: Spray your cleaner onto the countertop in small sections of 3-4 feet at a time. Allow the cleaner to sit for 60 seconds. Dampen the cloth with warm water and wipe the countertop until you have covered the entire section that you sprayed.
Step Four: Wipe down the same part of the countertop with a dry microfiber cloth. This process is very similar to washing and drying your car. If you don’t dry the water off quickly, it will dry on the surface and leave water spots or streaks.
Step Five: Repeat steps three and four until you have cleaned all sections of your countertop.
Disinfecting A Granite Countertop
There is a big difference between cleaning and disinfecting. A surface can be wiped down thoroughly with soap and warm water and look very clean. However, bacteria, mold, and other germs may still be present.
If you followed the steps above using a granite cleaner with antimicrobial properties, you’re good to go! If you used mild dish soap, you will want to repeat the process using isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol. The CDC recommends an alcohol concentration of 70% or higher for best results in killing germs.
Conclusion
Whether you choose a DIY cleaner or a professional one, be sure to avoid any abrasive chemicals when cleaning your granite countertop. You may also want to check the quality of your granite seal. If your countertop is not well sealed, daily use and cleaning will put your granite countertop at risk. Consider an antimicrobial sealer such as MORE™ Premium Plus Stone Sealer with Antimicrobial Protection. The better your sealer, the cleaner your surface!
