Granite is prized for its
beauty and durability as well as its low maintenance requirements. Keeping your
granite looking its best for decades doesn't require an overwhelming amount
ofeffort, but it is important to avoid certain household products that can
damage the professional finish or the stone itself. Maintaining granite,
quartz, marble, and other types of natural stone is as simple as daily cleaning
and regular sealing. When cleaning, make sure you avoid these six things that
could damage your countertop or floor.
1. Vinegar
1. Vinegar
Vinegar is a common ingredient in household cleaning products, but it shouldn't be used to clean granite. As an acid, vinegar can dull the finish on your granite. Fixing this issue usually requires professional refinishing. Eventually, vinegar can cause etching and damage the integrity of the stone.
2. Ammonia
Ammonia is very alkaline and causes etching or corrosion in granite. If you have dark granite, you may notice light-colored streaks or spots after a single use of ammonia. These etch marks can sometimes be repaired by repolishing the damaged areas, usually performed by a professional stone restoration specialist with the proper tools and training.
3. Citric Acid
Citrus like lemon and lime juice is the natural enemy of natural stone. Using a cleaning product with lemon juice or another type of citrus could damage the stone's finish and even the stone itself. All granite has some amount of calcite, but some varieties have more than others. When exposed to acids like citrus juice, calcite begins to dissolve, which can leave tiny fissures and pits that trap the acids every time you clean. Over time, your granite will show signs of damage, especially to the finish. Dullness, changes in texture, and color change are all signs of acid damage.
4. Using Bleach without Rinsing
Sealed granite is naturally resistant to bacteria and other germs, but many homeowners still wish to sanitize the surface as much as possible. Spraying liquid bleach and scrubbing with a soft nylon brush is a good way to lift stubborn organic stains in your granite, but you need to remember to rinse it with water afterward and immediately reseal the surface. Instead of using bleach for regular cleaning, clean the surface with a stone-safe granite cleaner such as Granite Gold Daily Cleaner®.
5. Abrasive Cleaning Products
Granite can only be scratched by materials harder than the stone. These materials aren't easy to come by, considering granite is one of the hardest stones on earth. As long as you aren't dragging gemstones like diamonds across the granite, it's unlikely to get scratched. However, surface scratches in the finish are another matter. Using abrasive cleaning products or cleaning tools like steel wool can leave scratches in the surface of the stone. Because this damages the seal and finish, it can make your granite more susceptible to stains. The damage may also be difficult to repair without refinishing the stone.
6. Forgetting to Dry
Forgetting to dry your countertops or floor after cleaning won't cause damage, but it will probably lead to streaks. To achieve a beautiful, flawless shine, make sure you dry your countertops with a soft, clean cloth after cleaning.
If you have additional
questions about cleaning granite, marble, slate, and other types of natural
stone, get in touch with the Stone Care Experts at Granite Gold® Call
1-800-475-STONE to learn about our wide array of safe-on-stone products.