Day-to-Day Care for Granite Countertops

Granite countertops have many advantages for looks, strength, and durability, but they are not impervious to staining.  It’s important that you know the basics of how to clean granite countertops; and how NOT to clean granite countertops. It’s critical that foods and liquids be cleaned off on a daily basis with a soft cloth and warm water, using a mild soap if desired.  Click here for a regular daily cleaner formulated especially for this task.

DO NOT expose your granite countertops to abrasive or strong alkaline or acid or free radicals or oxidizers or the like (whether high, neutral or low pH) cleaners.  Various chemicals are corrosive and/or erosive in their ability to attack any structure.   DO NOT use such products including, but not limited to bleach, oven cleaners, Comet®, Soft Scrub®, SOS®, products with pumice, batteries, paint removers, furniture strippers, tarnish or silver cleaners, or the like. DO NOT use abrasive or harsh scrub pads.

It’s important to realize that your countertops are not impervious to heat damage, chemicals or fractures.  It’s important to protect them using heat pads or trivets whenever placing a pot of pan from the stove.   Granite countertops are most susceptible to chips near the edges of sinks and dishwashers.  A dull, table knife will likely not scratch the surface, but they are not impermeable.  Be aware that surface markings are more visible on monotone designs than multi-colored surfaces.

It’s also a good practice to use coasters under all glasses, cups and mugs.  While not an absolute necessity like with marble, it can help protect granite that hasn’t been properly sealed.

You can do everyday cleanup according to the manufacturer’s instructions, but it’s a good idea to have them professionally cleaned and sealed at least yearly to maintain the beauty of the stone itself.