Granite has become a very common type of countertop over the past few years. Although it’s beautiful and strong, it’s still very porous. That means care must be taken when cleaning granite.
Cleaners and other substances with vinegar, ammonia, bleach, lemon or other citrus ingredients should not be used due to their low pH balance. That eliminates most all-purpose cleaners and homemade cleaners. There are, however, many cleaning products designed specifically for granite countertops like The Daily Granite made by Method ($5.98).
If you prefer to make your own cleaning solutions, I found one recipe that has a neutral pH balance.
Mix 1/2 cup of rubbing alcohol with a few drops of Dawn dish detergent in a quart size spray bottle. Fill the rest of the bottle with water.
To keep your granite in tip top shape, keep the following in mind:
- Clean up spills immediately to avoid absorption
- Use coasters under glasses for acidic drinks like sodas and citrus juices
- Use trivets under hot cookware
- Avoid abrasive cleaners (including “soft scrubs”)
What cleaning methods do you use when caring for your granite?
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iDreamOfClean
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Awesome! I love our granite countertops, but I have been fumbling about trying to figure out how best to clean them. (Usually I just wipe them down with a sponge, but I worry they aren’t really clean, clean.)
Thanks Christine — This is perfect and I’ll definitely be trying out the Dawn/rubbing alcohol idea!
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