Do you have granite countertops? Granite or marble counters look fabulous and, despite what you may have heard, are pretty resilient.
They hold up well when it comes to wear and tear, and they are great with heat. This makes granite counters an excellent choice for busy homes with families.
When I first started to pay attention to the popularity of granite countertops, I heard and read many negative things about them damaging easily and being challenging to maintain. This initially gave me anxiety about owning them, luckily though I studied up a bit further and learned otherwise.
Learning how to deep clean and sanitize granite countertops the right way can make all the difference in your counters' lives.
With COVID-19, disinfecting kitchen countertops has never been more important. Here's how to easily clean and disinfect your granite countertops! Click To TweetHow to Care for Granite Countertops
Hopefully, your granite countertops were sealed correctly, which makes them much easier to clean. Even if they were sealed, though, it’s not as simple as spraying your favorite cleaner, and you might find yourself wondering how to deep clean and sanitize your granite countertops.
Maybe the kids spilled something and didn’t clean it up right away, or perhaps you are dealing with an oil stain that has given you grief.
Either way, here are a couple of tips for you on proper care of your granite countertops.
Products to Avoid When Cleaning Granite Countertops
Regardless of whether your granite is sealed or unsealed, you should always avoid certain cleaning products when caring for them. This includes any acid-based cleaners.
For those that are unclear of what those types of cleaners are, it includes any vinegar, acid, or citrus-based cleaners.
That means you need to put those cleaning wipes away (I know that they make cleaning super easy, but they are not good for the granite).
How to Deep Clean Granite Countertops
Deep cleaning of granite countertops is much easier than you would think.
First and foremost, it is imperative to clean your countertops daily. Daily cleaning helps keep your counters looking great and makes deep cleaning more manageable.
Polish Granite Countertops with the Best Granite Cleaner Daily
All you need is warm water, dish soap, a washcloth, and a drying towel. Use these tools to clean and wipe down the counters daily, and any time there are any spills.
If you feel like this method isn't cutting it use a cleaner specifically designed to clean stone countertops like the Rock Doctor Granite and Quartz Cleaner.
This cleaner can remove stains and grime while protecting and beautifying your stone countertops.
Don't worry it has a non-abrasive formula that will not hurt your stone's sealant so we like to use it every day!
How to Clean Granite Stone Thoroughly
If it is time to do a deep cleaning of your countertops, or if they have a stain that you are trying to battle, it requires a little more work. For this, you need a paste to clean your countertops with.
For oil-based stains, create a paste using baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. If the stain is water-based, make a paste using water and hydrogen peroxide.
For deep cleaning, you can use either paste.
If you are deep cleaning, slather the paste all over the countertops and let sit for approximately an hour. Once the time is up, wipe up the paste and rewash the counters with warm water and dish soap again.
Use the same method for cleaning up a stain, making sure to use a large amount of paste over the affected area and letting it sit longer (overnight is okay too).
However, we prefer to let the Rock Doctor Granite and Quartz Cleaner saturate the area for a few minutes for a quicker clean.
How to Sanitize Granite Countertops
For sanitizing granite countertops, all you need to do is mix 1 part isopropyl alcohol and 1 part distilled water in a spray bottle. Spray your countertops thoroughly with the mixture and let it sit for roughly 3 minutes. After 3 minutes have passed, wipe down the solution with a washcloth.
Yes, learning how to deep clean and sanitize granite countertops may be a bit more time-consuming than grabbing that tub of cleaning wipes, but it really is quite simple to do, and they will thank you for that extra time with long-lasting beauty!
One of my favorite things about having granite countertops is that cleaning them doesn’t require heavy chemicals or products that I get concerned about having around my family. Everything is simple products that are healthier to deal with, and they are also all very inexpensive.
I don’t have these countertops but I sure wish I did! Im grateful for the tips in case I ever get them! Crossing my fingers!
I hope you get to enjoy granite counters one day! They are one of my favorites
Wish I had seen this sooner. I learned the hard way there are products you cannot use on stone counters. Thanks for the post!
I’m sorry you damaged your granite counters!