So what’s the best way to clean granite countertops, quartz, limestone, marble? Unfortunately, the granite tops in your new home didn’t come with proper cleaning instructions or maintenance for natural stone or quartz countertops. Here’s the right way to clean granite, marble, limestone, and even quartz countertops.
How to clean granite, quartz, & marble tops
Granite Cleaning Precautions
Start with some simple precautions and you’ll reduce many of the issues with natural stone tops. First, don’t allow acid containing foods to contact these stone tops – fruit juice, wine, etc. These foods can stain, etch, or dull the shine of your tops.
Use trivets or mats under hot dishes and set glasses on coasters on your granite. Usually, though, hot pans or dishes will not harm your granite counters.
How To Clean Spills On Granite
When you spill something on your stone countertops, blot it right away with a paper towel and don’t wipe it across the countertop. Then clean the area with soap and water. Repeat as needed and then dry with a cloth or towel. Warning – soap & water is not for routine or daily granite cleaning. Remove soap film from granite and quartz.
Typically, dark-color granite won’t stain. However, stones like marble and limestone as well as light colored granites may stain. If you do get a stain, see How to remove stains in granite countertops for recommendations on stain removal.
Will glass cleaner work on granite counters?
Cleaning granite countertops with Windex is convenient. But definitely do not use it regularly for cleaning stone. Over time glass cleaner can dull the shine of your granite. And the potential damage to onyx, marble, or limestone is even greater.
In addition, glass cleaner my affect your stone sealer. So stay away from Windex for granite and stone counters. You can use Windex to clean quartz countertops though – see Routine Maintenance of Quartz Countertops.
Cleaning Granite Counters With Dish Washing Soap?
I admit, I’ll grab the washcloth at the kitchen sink and clean the counters with dish washing soap periodically. It won’t hurt your granite tops. But, if you regularly clean with dish washing soap, it will cause a build up of soap film and make your counters look dull.
A granite soap film remover will restore the shine to your granite countertops. But that just means even more cleaning work.
Cleaning Granite With Denatured Alcohol
As mentioned earlier, don’t use Windex or dish soap to clean granite on a regular basis. And if your stone countertops were just installed, make sure to clean and degrease the tops with denatured alcohol. You’ll find denatured alcohol in the paint section of home stores like Lowe’s or Home Depot.
Denatured alcohol cleans granite and removes the “sins” of bad cleaners. The result is a clean, original shiny surface, ready for granite sealer.
Next, spend the money for a quality daily cleaner especially made for granite and natural stone countertops.
Routine Daily Cleaning Instructions For Granite
Now for routine, daily cleaning of granite and natural stone counters, use a pH neutral stone cleaner.
I’ve used and promoted MB Stone cleaner MB-5 Stone & More for more than 20 years. But any quality pH neutral cleaner made for stone countertops should work fine.
Use MB-5 full strength in cooking areas or you can stretch your investment by diluting 1:1 with water in other areas.
Certain stones like limestone and marble are harmed by acids. Products such as vinegar or lemon can actually “etch” stone tops. So don’t use them. And avoid scouring or abrasives on any stone tops because you may scratch the surface.
Cleaning Granite With pH Neutral Cleaners
Cleaning with a pH neutral cleaner is easy. You spray the cleaner on the stone top and wipe it off. You can also let the product sit on the countertops for 2 minutes before wiping it dry. Use a non-scratch nylon pad to remove stubborn spots. Although it’s not needed, I usually quickly buff countertops after cleaning with a towel to bring back the shine.
Another cleaner to try is also from MB Stone Care – Stone Glow MB-15 . MB-15 is a neutral pH multi surface cleaner but it also has optical brighteners to help make your countertops shine. I especially like the results of MB-15 cleaning and adding shine to dark color quartz countertops. In fact, this is my routine quartz top maintenance product.
Convenient Stone Wipes for Granite Cleaning
The easiest way to clean stone tops daily is with cleaning wipes made for natural stone. You can also consider wipes as a good “touch up” between more thorough countertop cleanings. MB Stone makes MB-17 Natural Stone Wipes which are easy to use and make cleaning granite a breeze. MB-17 wipes work well not just on natural stone counters, but also on quartz or engineered stone. The wipes are impregnated with an ammonia-free cleaner and they leave behind a polished look.
The convenience comes at a cost, though, since wipes cost more than spray cleaners. MB-17 comes with 70 stone wipes per container. Be careful with other “stone wipes” as they may leave a residue or oily finish on the surface.
Disinfect & Sanitize Kitchen Countertops
How To Clean Marble Tops
Marble tops need special cleaning care. Check out the following guide for recommended professional grade cleaners, along with advice on what to avoid – how to clean marble tops.
Earth-friendly Sustainable Granite Cleaners
You can clean granite countertops with eco-friendly products too. In fact, green granite cleaners have come a long way. Several products are available that offer environmentally friendly solutions – EPA certified Green, biodegradable, non-bleach, no acids, no salts. Here are some products to consider:
MB Stone GT-1 is a pH neutral, ready-to-use, EPA Certified “Green” cleaner. Use it to clean all stone tops, Corian, quartz, and even laminate. Green granite cleaner
Easy Oxy is an oxygenated cleaner, non-bleach and biodegradable. See oxygenated granite and grout stain cleaner
Isopropyl rubbing alcohol is another natural cleaning solution for granite countertops. It cleans and shines your granite countertops in minutes. However, it evaporates quickly and will be gone before you know it.
Here’s how to clean badly stained grout with alkaline cleaner.
How To Re-Caulk a Granite Sink
How to restore shine to dull granite countertops
How to remove stains from granite countertops
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