Granite is considered to be the godfather of all natural stones. It has natural beauty, and one of the toughest natural stone flooring options. A diamond is the only thing certain to scratch granite's surface, but your new kitchen knives or dining room chair probably will not. Granite is one of the best options for kitchens, dining rooms, kitchen counters and dining rooms.
Although granite is durable and tough, it still has to be cleaned. Granite is pricey to install and just as expensive to replace. Granite does not respond well to acidic things like lemons, wine and especially VINEGAR. Vinegar is an amazing, natural cleaning agent, but it can etch (dull) your granite.
Cleaning Granite Floors and Countertops
- Choose an easy daily routine to clean granite.For your granite floors, dust-mop daily to prevent grit from building up; microfiber works really well for this, too. If there are stubborn marks, try using hot water with your mop.Warm/hot water and a soft cloth (microfiber works really well) should be sufficient for your countertops on a daily basis. Use distilled water rather than city water, just in case there is high chlorination or other mineral content. To prevent water spots, always be sure to dry your granite surfaces thoroughly with a fresh soft cloth.
- Protect your granite from damage. Put felt pads underneath a tray for any bathroom/cosmetic products, and…don’t sit on your countertops. For granite flooring, put rugs in high-traffic areas to protect against grit that can be carried in on shoes, and use pads under any furniture that touches the granite.It’s a lot easier to take preventative measures against stains and scratches than to try to deal with them. For your granite countertops, use coasters for drinks and trivets/pot holders for hot items. Even though a boiling pan of spaghetti probably won’t mark your granite, it will heat it up fast – especially if it’s dark – and possibly cause other problems (like you burn yourself). Also, grit could get trapped in between the pot and the counter and possibly scratch your granite. Use a cutting board even if knives are unlikely to scratch granite; at least you’ll keep your knives from dulling.
- Polish your granite from time to time to make it sparkle. Want to know how to polish granite naturally? Try a chamois on a clean, damp surface – the cloth should buff your granite to a nice shine. If you’d like more shine, there are a lot of commercial granite polishers out there – but you can also make your own. Mix one part rubbing alcohol with three parts water and a few drops of ph-neutral dishsoap. Apply this solution to your granite with a spray bottle, then wipe with a soft cloth. You can also make a polish with 1/4 cup baking soda to 3 cups water. Apply with a soft sponge, wipe up excess liquid and then buff with a chamois. A note: polishing your granite floor can make it very slick, so either skip this step or be extremely careful.
- If something spills on your granite floor or counter, take care of it immediately. Although granite doesn’t stain as easily as other natural stones, it can happen. If something spills, get to it as soon as you can and blot rather than wipe to avoid spreading the spill. If you do find yourself with a stain on your granite, try a poultice. You can purchase a ready-made one, but it’s easier and just as effective to make one yourself. Mix a fine powder – baking soda or whiting – with a liquid until you get a peanut butter-like consistency. For oil-based stains, mix the powder with water or rubbing alcohol; for water-based ones, use hydrogen peroxide or acetone. Dampen the part of the granite that is stained and then spread the poultice over the stain. Leave until the mixture dries – usually a day or two – and then remove, rinse and wipe your granite dry.
- Look into a granite sealer for extra protection. The best thing to do if you want to apply granite sealer is to first get information about your granite. Was sealer applied at the time of installation? If so, what brand was used and how often does it need to be reapplied? Also, know the type of granite you have; some granite, especially if it’s dark, does not need to be sealed as often. Some types of black granite, in fact, do not need to be sealed at all.
Don't Risk Permanent Damage: Contact Bizaillion Floor for Your Granite Restoration
Routine granite flooring cleaning you can do on your own. However, professional granite sealing, granite grinding, granite polishing, and granite floor restoration, HIRE A PROFESSIONAL! Don't risk damaging your granite, eliminate unnecessary repairs call Bizaillion Floors TODAY at 281-894-7823