How to Clean Your Kitchen Countertops in Phoenix, AZ
If you’ve purchased granite surfaces for your kitchen countertops in Phoenix, AZ, it’s important you do everything you can to protect that investment. This means regularly cleaning the countertops using proper methods to ensure they stay in great condition for many years to come.
Here is what you should know about cleaning your granite countertops:
- Keep it sealed: Granite is not as porous as other types of stone, but if unsealed it will still soak up spills, stains and oils. You can easily tell if the countertop is sealed by putting a few drops of water on the surface. If the water beads up, then the seal is intact. But if it soaks into the granite after a few minutes, you need to reseal the stone.
- Use gentle products and cleaning applications: You should avoid using harsh or abrasive cleaners, as well as sponges or any other cleaning products that are abrasive in any way. Never use citrus-based cleaners or acidic cleaners, or anything with bleach or ammonia—these will break down the sealant and potentially damage the stone itself. Instead, you should use warm water mixed with a mild or gentle dish soap and either a soft washcloth or a microfiber cloth. A microfiber cloth will help you avoid streaking and provide a better shine once you’ve completed the cleaning process.
- Disinfecting: Disinfecting helps you ensure the countertop is completely clean. While a granite countertop that is kept well sealed is generally pretty repellent against bacteria, you still might occasionally choose to use a stronger disinfectant aside from just hot water and dish soap. If this is the case, try mixing a 50/50 solution of water and 91 percent isopropyl alcohol. Spray the solution on to the surface of the granite countertop and let it sit for a few minutes before you rinse it off with water and dry it off with a clean microfiber cloth. Again, it’s important you use abrasive cleaners or anything that contains bleach or ammonia.
- Special products: You might find some special cleaners designated as being safe for granite at your local home goods store. There are a variety of granite-specific cleaners out there, but you should know that these are not your only option if you’re looking to clean your granite countertops. Like we said, a simple mixture of dish soap you already have in your home plus warm water is generally going to suffice for your purposes. However, if you’re interested in using a product designed specifically with granite in mind, we recommend checking out SCI Clean & Preserve 2-in-1 Formula!
That’s all it takes! Cleaning your granite kitchen countertops in Phoenix, AZ is a relatively simple process, and you should get into the habit of doing it regularly so you can avoid damaging the countertop sealant and keep the countertops in good condition for many years to come.
If you have further questions about how to clean your countertops or what you should look for if you’re in the market for brand new granite countertops, we encourage you to contact the team at Petrus Granite & Tile Services today with your questions.
Categorised in: Kitchen Countertop Cleaning