Our kitchen decor can be as various as the rest of the home or even our personal wardrobe. Granite and other natural stones are popular materials for countertops. They come in a variety of colors and patterns, and granite gives the impression of a clean kitchen that looks more expensive than some popular materials from recent past decades.
First, be sure of what type of counter top you have. There are also products that strongly resemble natural stone, and in those cases, you should follow the manufacturer’s care instructions. Also, remember, darker stone surfaces are less porous than lighter stones. This will make a slight difference in the type of cleaning products you can use without harming your countertop over time.
Now, that you know your countertops are actual granite, here are a few Do’s and Don’ts to help you care for your kitchen.
DO: One tip is to clean as you cook.
DO: Wipe off perspiration from glasses and drips from sauces as you prepare them, and stay away from some foods, like red wine or grease that will stain your lovely granite. Granite, though beautiful, has the tendency to streak, and natural stone countertops are porous.
DON’T: Allow the counters to soak up stain causing liquids.
DON’T: Use abrasive cleaning products on hardened food.
DO: Clean with mild soap in warm water to keep your countertops clean on a regular basis.
DON’T: Use products like Windex that will cause damage to granite over time and harm the polished surface. Watch out for cleaners that leave a dull appearance or small etches. If the effect is slight, it could build over time.
DO: Use a microfiber cloth to buff and dry countertops when cleaning. A microfiber cloth removes streaks and drying the granite eliminates water that might have dirt remaining, or calcium that will cause a hard water stain.
DO: Use a cleaner that is especially made for granite countertops. These products protect the sealer and fight against fingerprints and smudges.
DO: Use a granite top sealer for protection.
DO: Use a granite countertop cleaner, like MB-5 Marble, Granite and More Spray, or mix ½ cup alcohol with a few drops of dish soap in a spray bottle. Fill the bottle with water. This cleaner will be a pH neutral disinfectant cleaner.
DON’T: Use a low pH cleaner on natural stones with calcite, such as polished white marble. They will harm the surface, etch and dull it.
DON’T: A high pH cleaner is not recommended, either. They are alkaline and overly harsh for natural stone surfaces.
DO: Clean stained granite right away. Mineral spirits or acetone works well on ink stains. Ammonia or bleach can be used to clean grease or oil based stains. Hydrogen peroxide will clean food stains.
DO: Try Method Spray Granite cleaner. It is recommended by homeowners with granite countertops.
DO: Try Granite Gold Daily Cleaner on black granite for a no-streak finish.
DO: One more recommended product for you to consider is Supreme Surface Granite Cleaner and Conditioner for a streak free shine.