How to Clean Granite
How to clean granite...
Granite countertops are good-looking and hard-wearing. Their natural stone surface makes for sturdy kitchen counter-tops but many folks are confused about how to clean granite without commercial products which can be full of chemicals.
There are many products advertised to care for granite. The problem for those of us who are looking for green ways of cleaning our homes is that some commercial cleaners are often full of potentially toxic chemicals.
Spraying these toxic chemicals onto a surface which is used for food preparation really doesn’t make sense for our health. Many strong household cleaning products can actually damage the surface of granite or the sealer used to protect it too, so learning how to clean granite in alternative natural ways has to be a priority.
Luckily some of the gentlest ways of caring for granite are effective and don’t have adverse affects on our health.
Water
Regular wiping with just a clean damp cloth will take care of dust and non-greasy dirt.
Hot water with a few drops of gentle dish soap
To get rid of grease after a cooking session, wipe down with hot soapy water. Immediately after, rinse with a clean cloth dipped in hot water. If you don’t rinse, the surface of the granite will look “smeary” with the soap residue. A microfiber cloth is one of the most effective things to use for the final wipe because it absorbs all the water and soap leaving the surface clean and shiny.
Rubbing alcohol with water
To make home-made granite counter spray, mix rubbing alcohol 50/50 with water. This gives you a quick ph neutral cleaning spray for your granite countertops. Just spray and wipe with a clean cloth.
Baking soda paste for stains
If you get oily stains on your granite surface, a paste of baking soda and water can help. Wipe the area to get rid of excess oil and then apply the paste. Cover it with taped down cling wrap and leave for 24. Wipe down. The paste will draw out the stain.
Flour and dish washing liquid paste for stains
An alternative recipe for stain removal is to combine one cup of unbleached flour with three tablespoons of dishwashing liquid. Add water to make into a thin paste the consistency of yogurt, Apply the paste to the stain then cover with plastic wrap and leave at least overnight before wiping off.
One thing that absolutely should be avoided for cleaning granite countertops is that favourite green cleaning ingredient, vinegar. Vinegar has amazing cleaning abilities but its acidity can etch into granite and other stone surfaces. The same goes for lemon juice and other natural cleaners based on citrus ingredients. Ph neutral cleaning methods like the ones listed above are essential to preserve the smooth surface of granite.
Remember that all granites are different. Some are more porous than others while others are more resilient. If you have a spare piece of your granite left over from fitting, use it to test out different spills and cleaning methods so you can discover how to clean your granite countertop most effectively.