How do I maintain my granite countertops?

From Dan on April 1st, 2008 in Tools and Tips

Granite Countertop Maintenance

Granite countertops are among the most beautiful and durable countertops on the market. The hardness, scratch resistance, and absorbency of granite varies, depending on the specific finish and composition of each countertop. Overall, granite materials have a very hard, scratch resistant surface and can easily be maintained. Nonetheless, you will need to be diligent about protecting your granite countertop so you can enjoy many years of beauty and brilliance in your kitchen. Here are a few simple steps you can take to ensure that lasting quality:

First, here are some general precautions about maintaining your granite:

Do Not place hot items directly on the granite surface. Doing this will compromise the finish and make your countertop more susceptible to staining and cracking.
Do Not use acidic products (i.e., cleaners containing lemon, vinegar, etc.) as such products can dull your countertop’s finish.
Do Not use abrasive cleaners such as scouring powders, dry cleaners, etc. Again these products will harm your finish and can greatly reduce the life of your countertop.

Okay, here are some tips for general maintenance of your granite countertops:

Liquid spills can penetrate the surface of the countertop so try to clean these spills up immediately to prevent staining.
Clean the surface with a neutral cleaner, stone soap, or mild dishwashing liquid and warm water. Rinse well and be sure to use a soft, clean cloth at every step.
Generally you can remove stains with a paste mixture consisting of flour, dishwashing liquid, and water (for grease stains use hydrogen peroxide instead of dishwashing liquid). You should apply the paste to the stain, cover with plastic wrap, and let sit overnight. Scrape the paste away with a wooden utensil and rinse well.

Finally, you should seal your granite countertop every couple of years to help maintain that like-new surface and shine you love. Be sure to ask your installer for recommendations on sealing and general maintenance for your specific type of granite. Enjoy!

10 Responses to “How do I maintain my granite countertops?”

Michael Says:

April 2nd, 2008 at 4:32 am

Dan – Great overview of Granite care. It is nice to see someone be open and honest about the do’s and don’ts of granite, ecspecially the hot pot issue. At our countertop company in New Jersey we are often correcting the many myths out there about granite.

– Michael

dan Says:

April 3rd, 2008 at 1:54 pm

Michael,

Thank you for your compliment. It is rather amazing how a little bit of myth-busting does not make a product less appealing. In fact, some common sense knowledge regarding maintenance will make a project, such as new granite countertops, more worthwhile, practical, and long lasting!

CalFinder to Tickle Spring Kitchen Fancies » Remodeling Blog Says:

April 3rd, 2008 at 3:23 pm

[...] He’s been working in the remodeling trade for the past six years. Check out his latest pieces on maintaining granite countertops, treating lumber with oil-based stain, and window glazing and energy [...]

Colleen Says:

April 14th, 2010 at 11:47 am

Dan-

Thanks for all your pertinent information on Granite care. I recently just purchased Granite countertops from Granite-Rocks (http://www.granite-rocks.com). I was overly pleased with the results and would love to keep them for years to come.

Now I can with your great article.

Thanks,
Colleen

Dan Says:

April 14th, 2010 at 3:03 pm

Thank you so much Colleen! I am so glad to be of service and I hope your new granite countertops last forever!!

Cheers,

Dan

Granite Kitchen Countertops Done Right | Calfinder Remodeling Blog Says:

July 9th, 2010 at 8:35 am

[...] from when the use of the material in the kitchen exploded into popularity. Here are some hints for keeping granite around, and keeping it aesthetically [...]

Daniel Says:

July 26th, 2010 at 10:00 am

Good tips. There are a ton of products out there now that are great for granite care. I am surprised to see that a lot of our homeowner customers are unaware that they need to seal their granite or other natural stone.

Products from companies like Dupont (StoneTech) make it so everyone can care for their stone without paying a lot.

Kat Says:

August 14th, 2010 at 8:52 pm

Hi Dan,

Question? I had granite installed in my kitchen recently. I do know that the sealer was applied. When I leave a glass of drink on the countertop, I note that a water ring is there when I lift the glass and then it disappears in a short time frame. Should I be worried about my sealer not being applied correctly? Maybe another application of the sealer? I have kids and I do not want juice to end up staining my granite. Maybe even if sealer is applied, water will still penetrate?

Thanks.

Serg Says:

September 6th, 2010 at 2:48 pm

It all depands if your granite is light or dark sometimes if it is light color like “kashmir white” you might have to seal it again.

Serg Says:

September 6th, 2010 at 2:50 pm

It all depands if your granite is light or dark sometimes if it is light color like “kashmir white” you might have to seal it again.

Add your Comment

About the Author:

Dan Harding
I have lived from coast to coast; I've also spent time in Eugene and Lincoln City. I moved to Oregon about five years ago from Michigan. It was there, in Michigan, that I was tearing out some basement walls for a friend when I met her remodeling contractor...I've been in the trade ever since. I have always enjoyed working, playing, reading, writing, and the outdoors. I graduated from Michigan State University in 2002 with a degree in English and a focus on technical and creative writing. My interest in writing, carpentry, and remodeling led me to CalFinder.