Of all the granite countertop cleaners out there, which ones perform the best time and time again? You may be surprised to hear that none of the commercially prepared, so-called granite countertop cleaners are really any more effective than some very regular cleaners that you probably already have in your home.
For regular cleaning of your granite countertops, simple warm or hot water mixed with regular dish soap is more than sufficient for cleaning up food debris and meal preparation bits and pieces left on the kitchen counter. Every time the counter is dirtied, simply wash it down with a mild solution of warm soapy water. This will be enough to keep your granite countertop clean and ready for use.
If you have need of a somewhat stronger granite countertop cleaner, for an odor or stain problem, try using a solution of one part white vinegar to two parts warm or hot water. This is a very powerful and effective disinfectant solution that will keep your countertops safe for food preparation.
Granite countertops are made of such hard and durable natural stone, that you will probably never have to worry about scratches on the surfaces of your countertops. However, if you do come across a scratch, the best thing to do is to carefully work it out by scrubbing the area with a very fine steel wool.
Using a ‘000’ steel wool or finer, gently scrub the scratched area, as well as the surrounding areas, in a circular motion in order to blend the scratched potion into the surrounding granite. With a little bit of effort, you won’t even be able to see that there was once a scratch.
Unless you come across a unique stain or other difficult granite countertop problem, I’d say stick to the simple and natural cleaners such as water, soap and vinegar. These granite countertop cleaners are non-toxic, effective, and more than several times less expensive than the commercially prepared granite countertop cleaners.
For sticky or hardened substances, use a razor blade or utility knife to scrape the material off of the countertop. Then use a vinegar and water solution to take off the remaining goo. If the substance in question if particularly sticky, such as adhesive, you may wish to use some light fluid. You should take care to use only as little as is required, since the granite will readily soak up the fluid.
Another completely natural and inexpensive granite countertop cleaner is borax. Borax is a very gentle soap, yet is very effective at grinding out stains because of its granular consistency. Though this stuff costs pennies per application, it is certainly a powerful ally to have on hand.
There are also granite sealing treatments that many people like to have done annually. Though this is not necessary, many people seem to feel their countertops are better protected by having a sealant applied.
With the exception of the optional granite sealing treatment, granite countertop cleaners and countertop maintenance can be as simple and natural as you like.
