Can I Use Furniture Polish on Granite

Granite is a popular choice for kitchen counters, as well every bit flooring and wall tiles. Information technology's harder than marble , and its shiny surface and wide range of colors mean it'due south an elegant, timeless addition to whatever home. Granite fifty-fifty has antibacterial and estrus resistant properties too. Unfortunately, granite'due south good looks and useful backdrop exercise come with a premium cost tag. If you want to know the all-time manner to keep your granite countertops looking like new, or yous're considering installing granite counters but are daunted past the maintenance, nosotros'll show you how to keep your work surfaces effortlessly clean.

What is granite?

When you buy a granite countertop, what you lot're getting is one of a number of different kinds of rock. True granite is igneous, pregnant it's been formed from lava. What's in your granite volition depend on where it was formed, how long it took to cool, and more. That'southward why granite comes in a range of colors and crystal sizes: each granite deposit is as unique as the volcano that created it.

The stone in your granite might contain silica, mica, feldspar, or quartz, along with a variety of other minerals. Or it might not exist granite, or even igneous stone, at all. Metamorphic Dolomites are sometimes sold as granite, as are sedimentary breccias and gabbros.

For most people, the chemical makeup of their granite is less of import than how information technology looks, simply these variations practice have an effect on how you make clean your granite countertop. Some types of granite are harder than others, while some stain more than easily. Knowing what will stain your particular work surface, and what cleaners you lot can and can't employ on it, is a good kickoff step to maintaining it properly.

Pro Tip : It'south a myth that nighttime granite is harder than lite granite. Because the minerals in granite are so variable, yous can't tell how strong or porous granite is from the color.

If you haven't called your granite countertop yet, or you know the store your installed granite came from, you tin can probably get a sample piece in club to stain test. If you lot tin't get a sample, don't despair. Our pro tips volition guide yous through safely cleaning and maintaining your granite.

The lemon and water examination for granite countertops

Yous'll Need:

1. A sample of your granite counter
2. Water
3. Real lemon juice
4. Optional: cooking oil, java, sliced fruit e.g. strawberries, blueberries
5. Decorator's tape
6. Granite sealant
7. Optional: magnifying drinking glass

The lemon and water examination is a nifty, simple way of finding out how your granite countertop will react to different stains and cleaning solutions. You'll need a sample of your granite from the stone yard or store it came from in lodge to practise this. Don't experiment on your installed worktop.

Step one: Apply decorator's tape to split up your exam granite in half, and seal one half using the brand of sealant you plan to apply on your countertop. Check out the guide at the lesser of this article for how to seal granite, or follow the manufacturer'southward instructions.

Pace 2: Once your sealant has set, put your granite on a level surface and add together a modest amount of water on each side. Next add together a small amount of (existent) lemon juice beside the h2o, taking care not to mix them together. For a final test, you tin also add together cooking oil, or stain sources such as coffee or cutting fruit.

Step three: Allow the exam granite to sit for at least an hr.

Footstep four: Wipe the granite make clean and inspect it for stains and marks. You should view it at unlike angles and nether different light sources to be sure you encounter everything. For the well-nigh detail, use a magnifying glass to examine the surface for whatsoever tiny abrasions or dulling, known as etching.

What you're looking for:

Where the water (and oil, if used) was placed on the granite, check for concealment of the stone. This indicates that the granite has absorbed the liquid, meaning it'southward porous. Whenever you lot get porous granite countertops moisture, you run the risk of them becoming discolored.

The side of the granite that was sealed shouldn't prove whatsoever water damage, even if the unsealed side does. If the granite darkens despite beingness sealed, it'southward highly porous and you'll demand a specialized sealant to protect your piece of work surfaces. Maintenance on porous granite is also more than intensive, because you'll take to seal it more frequently and mop upwards any spills as soon as they happen.

No discoloration where the water was left on the granite means it's non-porous and will be less likely to stain.

In the surface area where y'all put the lemon juice, you might see a change in the shine or surface texture of the granite. Endeavour rubbing your fingers over the spot if you don't see anything, but to be sure. If your granite looks slow, information technology has been etched by the acid in the lemon juice.

Some types of granite etch very easily, while others inappreciably react to fifty-fifty strong acids. If you lot observe signs of carving, that means your granite worktop will need to be protected from acids such as lemon juice, tomatoes, and carmine wine.

The primary purpose of sealant is to brand granite less absorbent, non to cease chemical impairment. Therefore a sealant won't completely protect your granite from etching, simply it should reduce the event.

Finally, bank check how susceptible to staining your granite is by reviewing where you placed other examination samples. Lighter granites tend to stain more than hands, but if your light granite is not-porous then staining will exist less of a business.

How to clean a granite countertop

For virtually day-to-twenty-four hours cleaning, y'all don't demand to use a lot of complicated or specialized chemicals on your granite counter. Wipe up spills as soon as you can, and avoid placing any stain sources onto the granite.

Although water can discolor granite and leave marks behind, washing your granite with h2o is withal the all-time style to clean it. The key is to use only every bit much h2o every bit necessary (don't inundation the rock) and make sure to wipe and dry your granite countertops as before long as y'all're done cleaning. Water will just bear upon your granite if it remains on the surface long enough to soak in.

E'er endeavour to use a pH neutral cleaner on granite surfaces to avert the risk of etching. Gentle dish soap and water is usually enough. Acidic or alkali cleaners can both damage the surface of your granite, making it await wearisome and nighttime.

What not to use to make clean granite counters

• Lemon juice
• Vinegar
• Citric acrid
• Ammonia
• Bleach
• Windex
• Lysol

What yous should utilize to clean granite countertops

• Dish soap (eastward.m. Ivory, Dawn)
• Castile soap
• Warm water
• Baking soda
• Isopropyl alcohol

Can I apply these to clean my granite countertop?
Yeah	NO
Dish soap (e.yard. Ivory, Dawn)	Lemon juice
Water	Vinegar
Blistering soda	Citric acrid
Isopropyl alcohol	Ammonia
	Bleach
	Windex
	Lysol

To clean granite counters, first wipe away any grit or spills with a clean, damp microfiber cloth. So use warm h2o with a pocket-sized amount of dish lather to launder granite surfaces downward. Wring out the cloth and wipe once again with clean water to remove any soap remainder, equally over time it tin exit a motion picture behind, specially on dark granite.

Pro Tip: Brand sure your dish lather doesn't contain whatever citrus extracts or essential oils. Even though they're only used in very small amounts, they can notwithstanding harm granite worktops.

Never use any abrasive pad on granite or other natural rock surfaces. Wire cleaners, brushes, and fifty-fifty sponges can scratch and scuff the surface. Instead, microfiber cloths are the best tool to apply, every bit they won't scratch and they collect dust and dirt, rather than moving it around.

If your granite countertop has a gluey stain, avert the temptation to scrub information technology abroad. Instead, soak stains with water or a pH neutral cleaner and utilize a soft material to wipe them away. If you have a larger stain such every bit dried food to remove, you lot tin can advisedly use a plastic scraper to dislodge the residue.

Once your counter is make clean, information technology's important to dry it completely using a fresh microfiber material. If you leave water on granite countertops you risk discoloring the stone.

That'due south it! Keeping your granite counters clean really isn't too difficult, and doesn't require any expensive, specialist cleaners.

How to remove dried spills from granite counters

Despite your best efforts, yous'll probably miss a spill at some betoken. Don't worry, information technology doesn't mean your beautiful granite surface is ruined forever.

Avoid the temptation to utilise stiff cleaners like bleach or ammonia, or DIY cleaners such equally white vinegar or lemon juice. All of these are besides annoying for utilize on natural stone without risking damage. Although one or two uses of these solutions might not look like they've washed any damage, over fourth dimension they'll slowly erode the granite surface, leaving it dull, changing its color, and making information technology more probable to absorb stains in the future.

Instead, brand a solution of 50/50 isopropyl booze and water. Spray the spill and piece of work it out gently with a microfiber material. If the rest notwithstanding doesn't elevator, dampen a paper towel with the isopropyl alcohol solution and press information technology over the mark. Permit it sit for five to ten minutes and then wipe clean.

If all else fails, make a paste of blistering soda and water and employ it to the spill. Use a microfiber cloth to gently rub the residuum, then wipe clean using warm, soapy water. This method is particularly constructive at removing oily marks from granite.

Exist certain to wash the counter with fresh water and dry thoroughly once the residue has been removed. This volition go on your granite in top status.

How to remove stains from granite counters

If your granite countertop is stained, in most instances information technology can yet be fixed. The cause of the stain will determine the best way to make clean it.

H2o marks

Virtually h2o marks will disappear once they've completely evaporated, only if your granite is very porous, or the spill was large, yous might end upward with a nighttime, discoloured area. To remove water spots, utilise warm, soapy h2o to gently wash the stain. Rinse away whatsoever soap balance with a clean, damp cloth, and then dry thoroughly.

If the stain is all the same there once the worktop is dry, endeavour using a paste of blistering soda and a modest amount of water. For the virtually stubborn water marks, you tin use fine steel wool (#0000) to gently vitrify out the mark. Never wet steel wool when you're using information technology on granite, as information technology will damage the surface.

Oil-based stains

The best solution for oily stains is to use a paste of blistering soda and h2o. Apply the paste to the stain, piece of work it in gently using a soft cloth, and leave for up to an hour. Remove whatever rest with a damp textile and dry the expanse well. Y'all may need to repeat this several times to remove big or deep stains.

Organic stains

Food stains tin can expect very bad, but they can all the same be cleaned out of granite countertops. Fruit, coffee, soy sauce, and more can all stain granite, but they tin be removed with hydrogen peroxide if they don't respond to other cleaning methods.

What kind of stain is in my granite countertop?
Water	OIL	ORGANIC
Hard water	Cooking oil	Strawberries
Mineral deposits	Pizza grease	Tomato juice
Soap scum	Lipstick	Java

While hydrogen peroxide is slightly acidic and shouldn't be used regularly on your granite counter, y'all can use it to sparingly spot-clean stubborn stains. Make a paste from hydrogen peroxide and talcum powder and apply it to the stained area. Rub the stain gently with a soft textile, and wipe away any remainder. Use fresh h2o to ensure you remove all of the remaining peroxide and protect your granite worktop from further damage.

DIY and natural granite cleaners

Unfortunately, almost mutual DIY cleaners aren't suitable for apply on natural stone. Vinegar and lemon juice are acidic, and will damage your granite surfaces. However if yous go a stain on your granite countertop, you tin can treat it with a poultice of baking soda and water. Mix 2 or 3 tablespoons of water with enough baking soda to make a thick paste, and employ thinly to the stain. Piece of work the stain out with a soft cloth using round motions, and clean the area well with fresh h2o to remove any rest. Finally, dry out your granite to forbid water marks from forming.

To disinfect your granite countertop, use a mixture of one office isopropyl alcohol and three parts water. Add a few drops of dish soap, and put the solution into a spray canteen. Mist the granite counter and permit information technology sit for ten minutes before wiping abroad whatever excess with a dry out microfiber cloth. This volition heave your granite's natural antibacterial properties .

Pro Tip: If you want to add together a aroma to your cleaning solution, avoid citrus essential oils. Instead use tea tree, eucalyptus, rosemary, or lavander.

Every bit a natural alternative to dish lather, look for products with eco-friendly ingredients. Castile lather is also safe to employ on granite. Only substitute a few drops in identify of dish soap.

How to polish granite until it shines

The entreatment of granite countertops is their high shine cease, and you'll want to keep them looking sparkling clean. At that place are a number of means to smoothen granite counters. You can buy a specialist granite smooth for use on your worktops, or requite one of these solutions a effort.

Baking soda

Cleaning pros love baking soda. It's an incredibly versatile, constructive, and gentle cleaner for all kinds of surfaces—and it can also shine your granite countertops. Make a mixture of three parts blistering soda to 1 function warm h2o, and combine until shine. Utilise a thin layer of the paste to your granite surface, and gently buff with a clean material. Wipe away any rest with a damp cloth and dry the granite for a smooth, shiny surface.

Cooking oil

Although cooking oil tin can stain granite, in small amounts it's also an effective shine. Any typical oil will work, for example vegetable or olive oil. Apply a small-scale amount of oil to a soft, clean cloth, and vitrify the granite using circular motions. Don't forget to polish the edges of your counter! Oil volition give your granite a nice shine, and also help it repel water.

Sometimes granite looks tiresome as a outcome of etching. This is what happens when the granite surface is eroded. Small etches can be polished out using polishing powder (usually can oxide), but no amount of polishing will undo the damage washed by deep etching. Instead, call a professional who can refinish the stone and restore your granite to its old glory.

What substances will stain granite countertops?

Although granite worktop owners should try to protect their natural rock surfaces, granite is mostly very resistant to stains. While the exact stain resistance of your granite will depend on its porosity and color, you can avert it condign stained past taking a few simple precautions.

H2o

Water tin can stain granite if it's allowed to soak in. Have care to wipe up any spills as soon as possible, and pay item attending to your counter in wet areas such equally around sinks, or where you chop food. Don't leave damp sponges or cloths on your granite, and think not to put your wet gloves or umbrella on the kitchen counter when yous come home.

Even though water tin can stain your granite countertops, don't be afraid to use information technology regularly for cleaning. Water will only leave stains backside if information technology'due south immune to soak into the stone, so be sure to always dry your counter thoroughly.

Oils

Oils tin discolor granite surfaces, and the stains they leave behind tin can be harder to remove than h2o marks. The all-time style to avoid oily stains is to be vigilant most wiping down your granite counter, especially around cooktops. Some foods also contain oils that tin can soak into your granite, so try to avert putting annihilation organic directly on superlative of your countertop. Use cutting boards and silicone mats to protect your granite from accidental damage.

Fruit juice, red vino, and soda

These drinks are all acidic, and have strong colors. For granite counters, that'due south a bad combination. The acrid eats into the surface of granite, and the color permeates the stone, leaving etching and stains behind. Always wipe upwards these types of spills immediately, and use coasters to protect your countertop from drink rings.

Bleach/ammonia

Any substance that isn't pH neutral can damage granite, and that includes the most mutual household cleaners. Unless you've tested a sample piece of your granite worktop, avoid using any strong solution as they tin cause etching and discoloration.

Heat

You may be surprised to hear that hot pots and pans can harm your granite. After all, its natural heat resistance is one reason why granite is so popular. Granite can still be damaged past heat because the sealants and finishes used on its surface are not heat resistant to the aforementioned caste. This can result in ugly blackness marks on your granite, or—in worst-case scenarios—even cause the granite to crack. Rather than risk heat damage, use protective pads or trivets under your hot pans to protect your granite.

Fresh fruit

Only like fruit juice, fruit itself is usually acidic and brightly colored. Berries, grapes, tomatoes, and citrus fruits are peculiarly probable to harm granite and leaving stains behind. Protect your worktop past ever putting something underneath whatever food you set out, especially fresh fruit.

Coffee

Coffee is acidic plenty to damage the surface of your granite countertop, leaving it irksome and etched, and at risk of absorbing stains. Keep coffee grounds away from your counter, use coasters under cups to avert rings, and consider putting a silicone mat beneath your coffeemaker to avoid any adventitious spills.

Makeup

You might not think about the damage that makeup can practice to your granite counters, merely makeup products contain oils and dyes that tin discolor natural stone. Avoid putting any makeup on your worktops, or identify something underneath to protect the stone surface.

Should granite countertops be sealed?

In brusque, yeah. Sealants protect your granite from absorbing stains, giving yous time to clean upwards before any damage occurs. Unsealed granite is much more likely to be stained or damaged by everyday use.

There are two types of sealant commonly used on granite countertops. Topical sealers coat the granite with a protective layer, while impregnating sealers soak into the rock and fill up the pores that tin absorb liquids and stains. Impregnating sealers tend to terminal longer than topical, but both kinds will need to be reapplied every year or two as they pause downwards.

Color enhancers

Color enhancers are applied like topical sealers, simply they don't provide the same protection. Their purpose is to make the granite look glossy and "wet," and bring out the natural color of the rock. You can also utilize a color enhancer to mask impairment caused past carving.Additionally, color enhancers can improve the look of certain granite finishes, such as leathered or honed granite, which have a matte, tedious terminate.

You can utilize a color enhancer on your granite worktop in tandem with a sealant, but information technology shouldn't be considered a replacement to properly sealing the rock.

How to seal a granite counter

You'll Demand:

Dish soap or granite cleaning solution

Warm h2o

Microfiber cloths

Granite sealant

Note: It's always best to follow the instructions of the product you're using, merely this guide will teach you the nuts of how to seal a granite worktop. You should be able to seal your counters in about an hour, including drying times.

Step i: Clean your granite surface thoroughly with warm, soapy water (or granite cleaner).

Step two: Utilize a fresh, damp microfiber material to remove any excess residue.

Pace iii: Utilize a dry out fabric to thoroughly dry your countertop.

Stride four: Get out the granite to dry out to ensure all the water has evaporated. This will take effectually ten or fifteen minutes.

Step five: Spray sealant evenly across your granite, taking care to comprehend all surfaces, including the sides.

Pace six: Rub in the sealant using a clean, dry microfiber fabric.

Step seven: Leave the sealant to blot for nearly ten minutes, so wipe abroad any backlog using a microfiber cloth.

Pro Tip: If y'all allow the sealant set for too long and it dries on your granite countertop, add a little bit more sealant to break it down so buff information technology away.

How to tell if granite sealant needs reapplying

Near granite sealants will last nearly a year, but the exact time you lot need to reapply your sealant volition depend on how you lot utilize your kitchen and what your granite comes into contact with on a daily basis. To bank check if your sealant is still working, have a squirt bottle and spray a lilliputian water onto your counter. If y'all see the water beading, the sealant is still doing its job of keeping liquids out. If the h2o doesn't bead, it's time to reseal. Information technology's that simple.

How to maintain granite countertops

The best way to go along your granite counters looking their best is to foreclose damage from happening. There are five key steps to protecting your granite:

• Don't identify anything hot or organic directly on granite surfaces
• Baby-sit against annoying dust and grit
• Clean up spills immediately
• Avoid harsh chemicals and cleaners
• Seal your granite regularly

Prevention actually is better than cure, then be mindful of how you employ your granite surfaces, and what you place on them. Wiping your granite downwards daily with a clammy material and buffing abroad excess wet will as well help you keep your granite gleaming, and give you a hazard to notice any spills earlier they become stains.

With the right treatment, and a little daily attending , your granite counters volition last a lifetime, and exist the easiest thing in your house to clean. Just follow our pro cleaning tips and enjoy your beautiful granite countertops.

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