Among others, like quartz, granite is a popular choice for kitchen countertops. A hard and dense natural stone, it comes in thousands of different colors and usually appears flecked, pebbled, or streaked. Not only is granite durable and beautiful, but it’s also a luxurious choice that will last a long time and can increase your home’s value.
Searching for the best way to clean granite countertops? Here are three options.
How to Clean Your Granite Countertops
If you have sealed granite countertops, you want to take good care of them. And while they’re pretty low-maintenance in comparison to many other natural stone varieties, it’s best to complete routine maintenance cleanings to keep your countertops looking good as new.
1. Soap and Water
Too good to be true? It’s not! In fact, if you just fill a bowl with 2 cups of warm water and a few drops of dish soap, you should be good to go. All you have to do is dip a non-abrasive cloth (microfiber is ideal) into the mixture, wring it out, and wipe the countertops clean. Bonus tip: To avoid spreading grease and grime around, occasionally rinse your cloth out under the faucet as you go.
2. Rubbing Alcohol Solution
Similar to the soap and water cleaning option, this rubbing alcohol solution is an easy, DIY cleaner. All you have to do is mix ½ cup of rubbing alcohol and ½ teaspoon of dish soap. For maximum efficiency, you can pour it in a spray bottle so you can simply spritz the solution on your countertops and wipe them down!
3. Specialty Cleaner
If you’d rather skip a homemade cleaner and just grab a good cleaner you can pull out whenever you need it, then there are tons of specialty granite cleaners on the market. Not all cleaners are made the same, though, so it’s important to choose one that’s highly rated.
No matter how you choose to clean your granite countertops, it’s best to finish by wiping them down — once again! — with a different, dry microfiber cloth. This will produce the shiny, clean look you want.
Other Things You Should Know About Cleaning Granite Countertops
Granite countertops can be tricky because, as beautiful as they are, they need a little extra TLC if they’re going to maintain their lustrous appearance. So keep in mind that they:
- Don’t handle stains well and any spills should be cleaned up quickly
- Shouldn’t be cleaned with anything acidic since it can degrade the stone
- Need gentle cleaners since harsh chemicals (including disinfectant wipes) can break down the seal
- Should be sealed at least once a year, especially if you do a lot of cooking or baking
- Can be polished for extra sparkle and an added layer of protection
It’s recommended to give your countertops a good cleaning every day using one of the above methods. But if you don’t, you should at least commit to thoroughly cleaning them once a week. And remember, the more attentive you are to your countertops, the better they’ll look for years to come!
Get New Countertops with Your Custom Kitchen Cabinets
When you’re ready for a brand-new look in your kitchen, we highly recommend custom kitchen cabinets. You can get them in any shape, size, color, or style, and even pick the countertop that fits your vision. To see some of our previous work, check out our gallery.
To schedule a free estimate or learn more about our custom cabinet company in Perry, NY, contact our team today! We proudly serve those in our community and the nearby areas.
