written by American HouseCleaning
For many, the standard way to clean granite countertops is to purchase a “granite cleaner.” AmericanHouseCleaing.com, a house cleaning company in Redwood City, CA suggests other ways to clean your granite countertops. It takes three steps: regular maintenance, cleaning with baking soda, and sealing your granite countertop.
Regular cleaning and maintenance. If any liquid spills on the countertop, wipe it off right away before the liquid sets in. If the spill has dried up, wipe the residue with a cloth dampened with hot water. The warm water will help loosen up the solidified stain.
Wipe the countertop using water mixed with warm soap. The water should be pH-balanced and, if possible, filtered. You can make your own granite cleaner using three parts cleaning detergent and one part rubbing alcohol. Mix this solution with warm water. For best results, use microfiber cloth.
Your home-made granite cleaner should be sufficient for your needs. Do not use ammonia, vinegar or lemon cleaners on your granite counters. While granite is an extremely hard rock, it is still susceptible to acid.
Before cleaning with the cloth, immerse it in your solution. Then wring it out to remove excess fluid and start wiping the counter down. After cleaning run your hand across your countertop to feel any dirt you may have missed. Then use a microfiber cloth to buff and dry your countertop to ensure that there will not be any unsightly streaks on the countertop.
Cleaning with Baking Soda. The procedure mentioned earlier is used for cleaning ordinary stains. For stubborn stains, you should use baking soda. Depending on the type of stain, you might have to make a baking soda mix or “poultice”. If it is a water-based stain, mix 1 cup of baking soda with 5 tablespoons of liquid dish soap and enough hydrogen peroxide to create the consistency of yogurt. For oil-based stains, use the same combination of baking soda and liquid dishwashing soap but mix it with water instead of hydrogen peroxide to give it the consitency of yogurt. Apply the solution to the stain on the countertop. Let stand for one day before wiping off.
Seal Your Granite Countertop. Sealing your countertop helps to cover its unique surface so that dirt and stains will not seep into its pores. You have to seal your granite countertop once every two years to maintain the beautiful look and feel of the granite.
Before you seal your countertop, clean it thoroughly using a microfiber cloth and your home-made granite cleaning solution. Wait 10 to 15 minutes after cleaning to make sure that all moisture has evaporated from the surface. Then you can spray the sealant. Spray it evenly over the entire surface of the granite making sure that all areas are covered. For best results, apply the sealant and then wait 10 to 15 minutes. After that, wipe the countertop with a cloth to get rid of any excess sealant.
AmericanHouseCleaning.com, a house cleaning company from Redwood City, CA advises that you follow these steps to preserve your granite countertop’s appearance for many years to come.