Granite is arguably the most popular natural stone for countertops and kitchen islands. This makes sense, as granite is both beautiful and durable. Still, like with any other countertop material, granite can accumulate dust, dirt, grime and spills. Luckily, you do not have to spend a fortune on a specialty cleaner or cleaning service, as the best product for keeping your granite looking great is already in your kitchen. It's ordinary dish soap.
Why Can Granite Be Tricky To Clean?
Even though granite seems to have a smooth and solid surface, it actually has countless pores, or small holes, throughout. These holes can soak up liquids and odors. As you might expect, the granite in your kitchen is particularly vulnerable to discoloration and stains. If you use an acidic or harsh cleaner, such as ammonia or bleach, to remove grime, you are likely to damage the finish on your granite countertops.
Are Chemical Cleaners Bad for Granite Countertops?
Ammonia, bleach and other chemical cleaners are great when you use them on the right surfaces. It is dangerous to use these cleaners on your granite countertops, however. Indeed, chemical cleaners can dull, mar or etch the granite in your kitchen. Even worse, they can work their way deep into the natural stone, potentially causing discoloration and other damage. Simply put, it is wise to steer clear of harsh chemicals when cleaning your granite countertops.
How Can You Clean Your Granite Countertops With Ordinary Dish Soap?
By design, dish soap is gentle. This is because it must clean plastic, glass, porcelain, china and other materials without causing damage. It works great on your granite countertops, too. To give your granite a like-new sheen, simply mix a few drops of dish soap with water. Next, wipe over your countertops, paying special attention to greasy and grimy areas. Finally, rinse your soft cloth and give your granite countertops a polish.
Does Every Type of Dish Soap Work?
While most dish soap on the market today is gentle enough not to damage your granite countertops, you should never use dish soap that has citric or other acidic additives. The PH level of these soaps might be too harsh for granite. Moreover, you also should avoid any dish soap that has micro-scrubbers or microplastics, as these soaps can scratch the finish on your countertops.
Can You Add Disinfectant to Your Dish Soap?
Nowadays, many homeowners worry about bacteria, germs and viruses. While many types of dish soap have antimicrobial elements to them, you might want a bit of additional assurance. If you want to add disinfectant to your dish soap, you can use a bit of isopropyl alcohol. Simply add a few teaspoons of alcohol to your dish soap and water mixture before wiping down your kitchen countertops.
If your granite countertops already have damage from improper cleaning, they still might be salvageable. An experienced Colorado tile installer may be able to polish the granite in your home to return it to its original state. Ultimately, though, by cleaning your countertops correctly, you ensure they always look great.
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