How to care for your granite countertop

If you have granite countertops or are thinking of getting them, you may be wondering how to care for granite. And the good news is that it´s extremely easy to keep granite countertops looking beautiful for many years to come. As we have mentioned in previous posts,  not only is granite strong and resilient, but you´ll find caring for your countertop on a daily basis is as simple as warm water and mild dishwashing liquid. If you want to find out how to keep them looking wonderfully shiny or how to get rid of tough stains, read on.

Our best advice is to not use any coarse or abrasive scouring pads like wire pads: These are very often used to take out hard residue, but over time can dull the natural gloss of granite. We recommend you just use a soft cloth; it´s that easy.

One easy trick to make your countertops look spectacularly glossy (which you´d have never have guessed!) is to wipe the surface down with soapy water, a sponge, and rinse and dry with a microfiber cloth or tissue to absorb the moisture…. and abracadabra!

As for getting rid of stubborn stains or dried spills, hot water is your best bet. Hot soapy water softens up the stain, making it easy to wipe away with a cloth and without having to rub at it. Bear in mind, though, the longer you leave the stain, the harder it will be to remove. Try to clean it up as soon as you spot it.

We also recommended you avoid using highly aggressive cleaners like alkaline and acidic detergents, or even foamy cleaning agents as these open the granite pore even more, allowing dirt to penetrate into the granite countertop.

How do you tackle tough stains that won´t come out with just soap and water?

If soapy water doesn´t do the trick, don´t panic, we´ve more tips! For an oil-based stain, apply a degreasing agent along with an absorbent powder. Make sure that the stain is no deeper than 2mm or else you should contact the countertop manufacturer first to be sure of the best solution.

Deoxidisers or descaling agents can also be used on some granite finishes… but be warned! Always take into account the type of stain you´re dealing with and how deep it is. Also, don´t forget to make sure that these cleaners are suitable to be used on granite.

Speacialised treatments for marble and granite

As for specialised treatments, you´ll find a vast range of specialist products on the market to care for your countertops and leave them looking glorious. These treatments not only seal any microcracks and protect them, preventing bacteria from harbouring, but also enhance the beautiful polish and colour of the granite.

How about you? What products do you recommended we use to clean our granite countertop?  Let us know your tips in the comments…