How to Clean & Maintain Granite Countertops

Clean granite countertops with stone cleaner.

Granite countertops are common in many modern kitchens, and they are a kitchen upgrade that is available for older homes, as well. Granite is durable, but you may damage the stone if you improperly clean your countertops. Carelessly placing the wrong items on granite countertops can also cause permanent damage. Instead of running the risk of making an expensive replacement, clean and maintain your granite countertops properly.

Things You'll Need

• Cleaning rags
• Water
• Stone soap
• Dish soap
• Cutting boards
• Coasters
• Hot pads

Instructions

1. Dust the granite countertops every one to two days with a dry or damp cleaning rag. The dry rag removes the loose dust, while the damp cleaning rag lifts slightly sticky buildup.

2. Spray stone cleaner onto the granite and wipe it off with a damp cloth. Use a stone cleaner that specifies that it is safe for use on the granite.

3. Rinse a cleaning rag under warm water, squeeze it out and drizzle dish soap over the rag if the stone cleaner does not remove food residue from the granite.

4. Wipe the soapy rag over the countertop, rinse out the rag and wipe it over the granite again.

5. Dry the countertop with a clean rag.

Tips & Warnings

• Use coasters and hot pads for drinks and hot dishes. This helps lessen spills and prevents heat damage. Also use cutting boards when preparing foods, as cutting directly on the granite will cause scratches.

References

• Countertop Specialty: Granite Countertop Care

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Read this Article in Portuguese