kitchen granite care by top rated local handyman

Earth Care Staff
Aug 20, 2022
9 min read

The Ultimate Granite Countertop Maintenance

Dos and Don'ts of Cleaning Guide

Granite countertop maintenance is not not a big problem. I know that may not seem like it due to the many myths and misconceptions that continue to be passed around and create head-spinning confusion. But cleaning granite is child's play...

once you've learned the simple secrets, proper cleaning methods, and proper maintenance. Everything you need to know about granite countertop maintenance is fully explained and described below. You'll have it down in no time, so you can safely maintain all of your fabulous countertops for decades.

Lesson One in Granite Countertop Maintenance

Correct knowledge is essential. Pay attention to all the conflicting advice on cleaning granite countertops floating around out there.

Some are right and some are completely wrong.

Monsters in advice or solutions are due to over-generalization, lack of understanding, and/or misinterpretation of correct methods. So it's easy to get confused and frustrated. Then the worry starts to kick in and you're afraid you'll accidentally ruin your work plan.

Or worse, experiment with a method you shouldn't use.

Don't worry. This site provides a wealth of information, expert advice, and proven solutions, so you can avoid potential pitfalls, hassles, and headaches by investing time in reading and learning up front.

Relax though: it won't take long and you'll soon be a pro at maintaining granite countertops!

Remember your countertops and floors are STONE! Think of the Egyptian pyramids and the Roman Colosseum.

Stone countertops and floors are very durable, long lasting and age beautifully. In fact, they will outlive you and your house!

Yes, it is possible for stone to be damaged, but avoiding damage is a snap e Repairing granite is almost always possible if needed. You don't need to have unique talents or have access to an army of professionals to protect, clean and maintain your shiny and beautiful granite countertops for life.

Dos and Don'ts clean granite countertops

The easiest way to keep your stone in good condition is to avoid bad habits which could damage it.

Granite, marble, travertine, limestone, soapstone, quartz countertops and other solid surfaces like these are similar in many ways, but their differences require varying degrees of maintenance variables.

However, if you use the granite countertop care and cleaning procedures that apply to all of your countertops, regardless of the type of countertop or stone surface, you'll eliminate most potential problems without having to think too much.

Do: Dry up spills immediately

Acidic substances such as wine, coffee, fruit juice, tomato sauce and soda won't etch granite like marble does, but they could potentially stain the surface. Cooking oils can also leave a stain if not removed.

Clean surfaces using a sponge or soft cloth

Use a natural stone and specially formulated granite cleaner like this Granite and Marble Cleaner Spray is recommended for keeping countertops in top condition while protecting the sealant.

However, hot water is fine for quick cleaning.

Dish soap will not permanently damage your granite, but repeated use of soapy water will cause buildup (yes, even if it rinses off) and will dull the shine of your counter. Therefore, regular use of dish soap to clean granite countertops is not recommended.

Do: Use coasters under all glasses, bottles and cans

Again, granite does not etch and The use of coasters on dense and/or well-sealed granite is not an absolute necessity as with marble, but the use of coasters is only good practice to protect all surfaces from the bathroom and the kitchen.

Do: Use Trivets and Trivets Under Pots and Pans

Yes, you can remove a pot hot from the stove and place it directly on the granite countertops without any problem.

It is possible that granite (or any stone or quartz) suffers "thermal shock" and cracks, but this is rare. You don't want to place hot pots on any surface other than soapstone. But you also have to consider other issues...

Sand trapped between the pot and the countertop surface can scratch the surface, even granite countertops. Granite is very hard and durable and can take tons of abuse without any significant damage, but it can develop light surface scratches or pitting in high-use areas around the sink and cooktop.

Yes it is not common, but it is possible. And ALL other surfaces are smoother than granite. Prevention is better than cure.

If this happens, don't worry too much. Most nicks and scratches can be repaired, but are best avoided by following granite countertop maintenance tips.

Additionally, once the hot pan is removed from the countertop, the surface will be very hot and could burn.

Use a cutting board

Again, avoid the possibility of scratching the solid surface and protect the knives. Cutting the stone will quickly dull and damage the edges of your knives.

You should never use your granite countertop as a cutting board.

Do not use generic cleaning products

General cleaning products, including bleach, Glass cleaners and other degreasers and common household cleaners you buy at your local store contain acids, alkalis and other chemicals that will degrade granite putty (and etch marble) leaving the stone more vulnerable to staining.

Trying to save money using these chemicals will only ensure that in the long run you will be spending a lot more time and money on maintenance of your granite countertop.

Do not: use vinegar, ammonia, lemon or orange as cleaning agents

Most common, brand-name household products aren't suitable for cleaning granite countertops (and they certainly can't be used for marble, travertine, or most other stones). It is best to avoid using anything not specifically recommended by the manufacturer.

Just use lukewarm water and a soft cloth. Avoid ammonia and vinegar based cleaners.

Do Not: Use bathroom, tub and tile cleaners or grout cleaners

Dust and even "creams contain abrasives that scratch and dull surfaces.

Do Not: Sit or stand on work surface

Unlike a laminate countertop surface, granite, marble and quartz solid surface countertops are very hard, but not flexible, plus they have NO plywood backing, so when too much weight is applied in one place, it could cause a crack.

Do Not: Store liquids or toiletries directly on the counter

Cooking oils, hair products, perfumes, colognes , nail products, creams, lotions and potions tend to leak or leak and are often overlooked.

Even when sealed, a substance that remains on the surface of granite for an extended period of time can stain granite (and etch marble and other stones). Practice proactive maintenance of granite countertops by storing these products on a decorative shelf or tray like they do in luxury hotels!

Granite Countertop Maintenance Routine

Daily:

Hot water and a dish cloth or sponge are all you need to clean up spills and remove crumbs to keep kitchen counters clean and tidy All day long.

Spray and clean key usage areas quickly with a good granite countertop cleaner like this Granite and Marble Cleaner Spray are enough to clean, disinfect and protect countertops and give a streak-free shine.

Weekly:

Remove (or spread) all objects on the counter and use the granite cleaner on the entire surface, including the edges.

This routine will remove any hidden dust, debris, and grime or spills that accumulate around appliances, containers, dish drainer, etc.

Using a specific granite cleaner also serves to condition the stone, protect the sealer and maintain its overall shine. Of course, this process is much easier if you reduce counter clutter and keep the kitchen organized.

Monthly:

A glaze for granite such as Topical Conditioning Stone Enamel can be used periodically (weekly to monthly as needed) to enhance theshine for the ultimate care of natural stone and granite.

However, these topical dressings are not intended for maintenance or repair, and these products are not what makes the plane shiny.

This type of product "enhances" the shine (like a car polish), improves cleaning , helps remove fingerprints and provides a bit of protection.

Various stone care products are called "polishes" but have completely different purposes.

Atopic nail polish may improve the appearance a little but will not solve the problem. And because it's not meant to be permanent, it will fade with regular use and cleaning.

Annually:

Leak Testing of Granite Countertops (the lemon juice and water drop test) every year is a good idea to determine when you should reapply a granite sealer. However, this does NOT mean that you have to seal the granite every year.

You will read and hear that you should seal granite every one or three years, but the correct frequency to apply a granite sealer is not set in stone and really depends on a a number of variables. Testing will tell you when it's time.

You probably know you need to close it anyway when you start to notice water around the sink clouding the Pierre ; this is a sign that the granite is beginning to absorb water.

Expert Tip: When buying a natural stone, you should do the lemon juice test span> before purchase on a sample of the exact slab to determine the suitability of the stone for its intended use.

Especially for kitchen countertops, you don't want a stone that is too absorbent or a stone that etches like marble.

Of course, you should also perform the water test at the time of installation, if you did not do so when purchasing, to determine if your natural stone needs to be sealed. Many do not require sealing or cannot be sealed.

Polishing Granite Countertops

The first thing to understand is that the luster or "polish" on granite countertops granite or any other stone is not the result of chemical application, sealing or cleaning.

The surface "finishing" of granite is done in the factory or quarry where the granite slabs are cut and processed. Huge machines use intense grinding and friction processes to smooth the surface to such an extent that it is reflective and shiny.

The resulting glossy finish is called a "polished" finish because it has been "polished". "for a shine and not because a "granite polish" (product) was applied.

So the shine is actually part of the granite itself like a glass mirror. Using glass cleaner does not make a mirror reflective.

It's the same with granite. Applying a product does not make it reflective and shiny.

As noted above, a topical polish can enhance that shine to make it look better (like wax to stroke the color and shine of paint), but it won't make the granite shine or it will repair a finish dull granite.

Dull granite countertops are often the result of a film (like a film of soap) on the surface.

Granite is so hard that even years of normal use won't wear the finish, and the finish doesn't just get dull.

Must be chemically or physically damaged or covered with film.

Repeated use of harsh cleaning products, common household cleaners, or regular exposure to acidic foods and drinks (e.g. spills around a coffee maker) can potentially dull the finish; however, this can usually take several years.

If your granite countertops have become a little dull in spots, using this granite polishing kit will allow you to touch up slightly dull granite and restore its original shine.

If the surface is really dull, rough or damaged, you may need a stone restoration professional to repolish the granite.

But if you can do it yourself, you'll save a lot of money and not make things worse by trying yourself first -same.

Granite Repair Problems and Solutions

Granite Stains

Granite is porous and sensitive to stains. Spots are always dark spots in granite. However, this problem is easily controlled or prevented in most cases by applying a granite sealer. And most stains are relatively easy to remove with a granite pad.

The common method of cleaning granite (spray and scrub with granite cleaner) will not work because the stains are found inside the stone below the surface.

The color of the granite can give you a general idea of how likely a specific granite slab is to be stained.

Colors darker than granite (brown, blue, black) will be less porous and staining will be less likely. Some granite colors (like most black granite countertops) are so dense that they are almost impossible to stain and do not require sealing.

The lighter colors and plainer ones, especially white granite countertops will be the most porous and easiest to stain.

The trick to removing a stain from granite is first find out what substance caused the stain, then combine with the right chemical ingredient to remove that type of stain when making the poultice.

There are many poultice recipes online. Some are completely wrong, while others are only suitable for a certain type of stain.

This ebook on removing marble and granite stains details the specific ingredients needed to remove all kinds of stains as well as the correct instructions on how to prepare and apply a poultice (which seems simple but many get it wrong and cannot remove the stain).

The glue spots for installation are unique. These are greenish-gray stains that appear immediately after installing a new granite countertop and are caused by the action of the installation adhesive with the granite.

Repairing Granite Chips

Picking and chipping in granite countertops can form when small mineral fragments break off or are eliminated due to an impact. Most often this happens around the sink.

Some granites never break and others can chip or puncture easily. So you may never see a pit in your granite countertop, or you may have several over the years.

Repairing granite chips is often done by filling the hole with a matching epoxy. resin. .

It works, but often noticeable.

A better method is to fill the holes or chips with clear acrylic to create an almost invisible pair. A simple DIY project using this Granite Chip and Pit Repair Kit .

Fixing Cracks In Granite

Finding a crack in your granite countertop is never fun, but it doesn't always mean disaster.

Repairing cracks in granite is not an easy task, but it depends on the type of crack.

Hairline cracks can often be left alone, they won't cause problems or get worse. Separate cracks need to be repaired but will still be very noticeable if the repair is not done properly. An experienced stone repair specialist can repair a crack and finish the granite so that the repaired crack is essentially invisible.

Medical Granite Countertops

Medicated Granite is primarily a problem with black granite countertops. A dye is applied to the black granite slabs while they are in the factory to give them a darker black which requires a higher price.

This is a fraudulent practice, but drug plaques can be difficult to detect and easily enter the market.