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Cleaning Granite Countertops
Granite is a very durable stone and for the most part is carefree, but as a natural product there are some helpful suggestions that will keep your granite looking like the day it was installed.
Everyday cleaning of the granite surface should be done with simple dishwashing soaps, rinse thoroughly with clean water and dry the countertop completely using a clean dry cloth.
Don’t use anything on the countertops that you would not use on your hands. Do not use vinegar or anything that may contain ammonia (e.g. Windex), bleach (e.g. Clorox), or specialty bathroom, tile or grout or cleaners that may contain acids. These chemicals could have a bleaching or etching effect on some of the minerals in the stone.
Do not use any type of cleanser since the abrasives in the cleanser over time will remove the final polish from the stone making appear dull. Other items that could be detrimental to any stone’s surface are citric acids, oils, wine and ink. The effect is not permanent in granite but could be in other types of stone such as marble or travertine since they are calcium carbonate based.
Clean up spills as quickly as possible using a blotting technique instead of wiping to avoid spreading the spilled substance. Use soap and water to clean the area, rinse the soap off then dry with a clean cloth.
Remember for everyday cleaning, dishwashing soap and water is all that is needed and making certain that the surface is dried with a clean cloth. There are specialty daily granite cleaning solutions available if you desire to have something specifically designed for granite.
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