One of the most frequently asked questions by those just purchasing their first granite countertop is what the best way to clean granite countertops is exactly. Though there are many supposed granite countertop cleansers out there, the good news is, regular care of your granite countertops doesn’t have to be this complicated.
It is questionable whether many of the specialty granite cleansers should even be used on countertops where food will be prepared. You will find so many differing opinions about the popular granite countertop cleansers, that you’ll probably become more confused than when you started researching such cleansers.
Why not keep cleaning your granite countertops as simple as possible? The truth of the matter is, all is takes to regularly clean your granite countertops in the kitchen or bathroom is to use regular dish soap and warm or hot water. This is enough to clean any kind of granite countertops, as granite is really too dense and hard to soak up much in the way of stains.
For the most part, granite countertops will never suffer from deep scratches or stains due to normal wear and tear. In fact, granite is so hard and dense that it is unlikely to ever give you such a puzzle. But if you do find a scratch, try this: Find “000” steel wool or finer. Carefully scrub n a circular motion until the scratch begins to fade into the surrounding granite.
Additionally, use a mixture of vinegar and water along with the steel wool in order to add some cleaning power to the effort. Start with 1:2 parts white vinegar to warm or hot water.. Increase the white vinegar for tough stains.
In fact, a water and white vinegar mixture is the strongest cleanser that you’ll probably ever need to use. Vinegar is a powerful disinfectant that can keep your kitchen countertops safe for food preparation.
Another aspect of maintaining granite countertops that will probably come up are these so-called granite sealing treatments. These are often recommended by the manufacturer, as is an annual reapplication of the same sealant material.
When one considers how durable granite countertops are, it seems like perhaps the granite sealant treatments are simply an easy way for the manufacturer to get more money out of your pocket. Now there are varying opinions about the effectiveness of these treatments. I invite you to do your own research and come to your own conclusions about the matter. But from where I’m sitting, I think they’re a waste of money.
So, when it comes to the best way to clean granite countertops, remember to keep things simple. Once a day or whenever the countertop is dirtied, simply wash It down with some warm water and dish soap. Then, once a week or so wash with a mixture of one part white vinegar to two parts warm water. Following this simple routine will keep your granite countertops clean and nice for years to come.
