If you’re a cooking enthusiast, you probably love granite countertops. They are one of the most durable materials you can buy for your kitchen.
Granite is resistant to scratches and stands up well to daily use. It also resists heat, but be careful of spilling liquids onto the surface because it is porous. However, if you apply a sealant to your granite countertops each year, they will last a very long time. Sealant application is simple. You’ll find easy directions on the sealant packaging.
We know granite is sturdy, but how do we maintain their beautiful glow and shine? This blog post will explain how to keep your granite countertops shiny and clean, so keep reading to find out.
1. Clean off The Counters
The first thing you’ll want to do is remove everything from your counter. This includes crockery, appliances, nick knacks, jars, etc. As soon as you do this, brush away any leftover debris with a dry sponge.
2. Scrub Your Surface
Granite countertops have a sealant on them, so they’ll stay shiny and stain resistant. For this reason, you don’t want to use anything acidic or basic on the surface. If you use Windex or Vinegar often, you can damage the sealant and dull the granite, so avoid these cleaning substances.
Surprisingly, all you’ll want to use is a simple soap and water mixture. Use a sponge with the mixture until you have a good lather and start scrubbing from back to front in an “S” pattern. If you have something really sticky or stubborn on the surface, you may need to scrub with more effort.
3. Remove Stains
This may sound a bit crazy, but if scrubbing doesn’t do the trick on a stubborn stain, you may have to use a razor blade. Scrape away countertop gunk with the blade. Be sure the whole edge of the blade rests on the counter to prevent scratching the surface. Once finished, rinse out the sponge and wipe up the suds you’ve created. You might have to repeat this process several times to get all the soap off the granite countertops.
Now, if you don’t have a razor blade on hand, you can use another method for the stubborn stains. Simply make a paste of water and baking soda. This mixture does wonders for cleaning granite. If your stain is a really tough one, it may take you a bit longer to remove it with your baking soda paste than a razor, but it will do the trick if you keep at it.
If you have a stain that simply won’t cooperate and get clean, set some paste onto the stain, let it dry, then wipe it up and rinse it with warm water. This method definitely helps for the tough gunk on your granite countertops.
4. Disinfect Your Granite Countertops
Mix one cup water, one cup isopropyl alcohol in a spray bottle. Spray your countertops with the mix and wait five minutes. After the time is up, use a sweeping “S” motion to wipe the mixture off the countertop with a towel. Once you've completed these steps, your counters should be clean and disinfected.
5. Add Glossy Shine
Now comes the fun part. To add shine to your granite countertops, pour some cooking oil on soft cloth and wipe the oil on the granite. Then, buff it softly. This process will help to give your granite a beautiful, glossy shine and also serves to protect the material from stains.
Remember, your granite countertops are still going to need to be sealed and resealed periodically. This is because of everyday wear and tear. This type of use can damage the sealant and cause your surface to look dull and more susceptible to stains. However, if you clean your granite countertops using the steps and cleaning solutions we outlined here in this article, your countertops will last a lot longer.
Remember, if you’re in Upstate South Carolina and would like a direct quote on cabinet refinishing, give us a call here at Greenville Refinishing .
We use only the finest craftmanship and materials when working in your home. And unlike our competitors who offer you an estimate of the cost for the work, we give you a direct quote, so you know exactly what you’re going to pay once the job is complete, without any surprises on your bill. You can see photos of our work here. Give us a call!
864-252-5106