Granite countertops are an investment in your home. In order to keep them looking great and improve the value of your home for years you must follow a proper maintenance schedule. Learning the best ways to remove stains, seal the stone and clean it on a daily basis will keep your granite as good as it did the day it was installed.
Daily granite countertop maintenance is as easy as can get, here are four easy steps to follow:
- Wipe up spills immediately
- Use mild soap and water (if needed use a synthetic scrubbing pad)
- Rinse
- Use soft cloth to dry
Given granite is so durable, it is easy to think that you can use anything on it. However, in order to keep your granite looking great, you should avoid products with ingredients that include lemon, vinegar or other types of acids. Using coasters for glasses that contain acidic drinks can also help quite a bit.
Removing a stain, in the unfortunate event that one occurs, will depend on how it was caused. Here are our suggestions:
| Stain | Treatment | How to Use |
| Most Stains | 1 cup flour, 1-2 T mild dishwashing soap, create a thick paste by mixing with water | Apply to stain, cover overnight with plastic wrap, in the morning scrape mixture from stain with wooden utensil and rinse. |
| Oil Based Stains | 1 cup flour, 1-2 T mild hydrogen peroxide, form a thick paste by mixing with water | Apply to stain, cover overnight with plastic wrap, in the morning scrape mixture from stain with wooden utensil and rinse. |
| Organic Stains | Combine 12 percent hydrogen peroxide with 2-3 drops of ammonia | This should help to remove stains like coffee and tea. |
| Ink on Light Granite | Hydrogen peroxide | Apply to stain. |
| Wine | Make a mixture of molding plaster and bleach until it becomes a paste | Apply to stain for 30 minutes, remove and rinse. |
Sealing your Granite
It is recommended that granite counters be resealed every 6 – 12 months. How much you use your kitchen will play a huge part in how often it will need to be re-sealed. When you do reseal your kitchen, be sure to use a non-toxic sealer as food will be touching the surface of your granite counters.
There are two types of sealers that can be found on the market. A penetrating sealer seeps into the stone and absorbs into the granite. A second sealing option is a topical sealer, which simply coats the top of the granites surface, and does not get absorbed.
Once you have completed sealing your granite, test it to be sure it has been adequately sealed. A good way to test, is to spill a little water on your countertop and let it set. After 30 minutes, wipe it up. If the water leaves the counter darkened, the granite will need to be resealed.