The Ultimate Guide to Granite Cleaning

Granite is a popular choice for countertops, floors, and other surfaces due to its durability, natural beauty, and resistance to heat and scratches. While granite is relatively low-maintenance compared to some other natural stones, proper cleaning and care are essential to preserve its appearance and extend its lifespan. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about cleaning and maintaining your granite surfaces.

Understanding Your Granite

Before diving into cleaning methods, it's helpful to understand what granite is and its properties:

• Granite is an igneous rock primarily composed of quartz, feldspar, and mica
• It's harder and more resistant to acids than marble or limestone
• While highly durable, granite is still porous and requires sealing to prevent stains
• Each granite slab has a unique pattern and coloration, making it a one-of-a-kind natural material

Daily Cleaning for Granite Surfaces

For routine maintenance, follow these simple steps:

Countertops and Flat Surfaces

1. Wipe down daily with a soft microfiber cloth and warm water
2. For deeper cleaning, use a pH-neutral cleaner specifically formulated for granite
3. Avoid harsh chemicals such as bleach, ammonia, vinegar, or citrus-based cleaners
4. Never use abrasive cleaners or scouring pads that can scratch the surface
5. Clean spills promptly to prevent potential staining
6. Dry thoroughly with a soft cloth to prevent water spots

Granite Floors

Cleaning granite flooring requires a slightly different approach:

1. Sweep or vacuum regularly to remove loose dirt and grit that can scratch the surface
2. Use a dust mop with a microfiber head for routine cleaning
3. Damp mop with a granite-safe cleaner diluted in warm water
4. Avoid excess water, which can seep into seams and potentially damage the subfloor
5. Change your cleaning water frequently to prevent streaking
6. Consider using rugs or mats in high-traffic areas to minimize wear

Dealing with Common Granite Stains

Despite your best efforts, stains can sometimes occur. Here's how to address different types of stains:

Oil-Based Stains

These appear as darkened areas and are caused by cooking oils, grease, cosmetics, or similar substances.

Treatment: Create a poultice using baking soda and water (to form a paste consistency). Apply to the stain, cover with plastic wrap, and leave for 24-48 hours. The paste will draw the oil out of the stone. Remove, rinse thoroughly, and repeat if necessary.

Water-Based Stains

These look like darkened areas from water absorption and are often caused by standing water.

Treatment: These will typically dry out on their own. For persistent water marks, try a poultice made with a mixture of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide.

Biological Stains

These can include mold, mildew, or food stains.

Treatment: Create a poultice using baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. For mold or mildew, you can also use a diluted solution (1:16) of bleach and water, but rinse thoroughly afterward and avoid letting it sit on the surface too long.

Rust Stains

These appear as brownish-orange marks, often from metal objects left on damp granite.

Treatment: For minor rust stains, try a commercial rust remover specifically designed for natural stone. Severe rust stains might require professional assistance.

Sealing Granite: When and How

Sealing is a critical aspect of granite maintenance that helps prevent stains by reducing the stone's porosity.

When to Seal

The frequency of sealing depends on several factors:

• Usage: High-use surfaces like kitchen countertops need more frequent sealing
• Color: Darker granites are generally less porous than lighter ones and may require less frequent sealing
• Quality of previous sealer: High-quality sealers last longer

As a general rule, test your granite annually by placing a few drops of water on the surface. If the water beads up, your seal is still effective. If it absorbs within 10 minutes, it's time to reseal.

How to Seal Granite

1. Clean the surface thoroughly and allow it to dry completely (24 hours is ideal)
2. Choose a high-quality impregnating sealer designed specifically for granite
3. Apply the sealer according to the manufacturer's instructions, typically using a clean, soft cloth in a circular motion
4. Allow the sealer to penetrate for the recommended time (usually 10-15 minutes)
5. Wipe away any excess sealer with a clean, dry cloth before it dries
6. Allow the sealer to cure for the recommended time (usually 24-48 hours) before using the surface

Preventative Measures for Granite Care

Proper care goes beyond cleaning. Follow these preventative measures to maintain your granite's beauty:

• Use coasters under glasses and cups, especially for alcoholic or acidic beverages
• Place trivets or hot pads under hot cookware, even though granite is heat-resistant
• Use cutting boards instead of cutting directly on granite surfaces
• Clean up spills promptly, especially acidic substances like wine, citrus juices, or tomato sauce
• Avoid sitting or standing on granite countertops, as excessive weight can cause cracks
• Don't drag heavy objects across granite surfaces to prevent scratches
• Use pH-neutral cleaners designed specifically for natural stone

Professional Granite Maintenance

While regular home care is essential, professional maintenance can help preserve your granite's beauty for decades:

• Deep cleaning: Professional-grade cleaning to remove buildup that regular cleaning might miss
• Restoration: Removing minor scratches, etching, or dullness to restore the original shine
• Professional sealing: Application of commercial-grade sealers that often provide longer-lasting protection
• Repair: Addressing chips, cracks, or other damage to prevent further deterioration

Consider scheduling professional maintenance every 3-5 years, or more frequently for high-use commercial environments.