How to Use Polish on Granite Counters

No matter what type of granite you have installed in your bathroom or kitchen, it can benefit from regular polishing. While sealing closes the pores of your stone and prevents stains, polishing can make your granite look its best. Polishing is a good way to keep granite countertops from appearing dull by helping the surface resist soap scum and grime. Here's how to polish your granite countertops to highlight the stone's natural beauty.

Know When to Polish

How often you polish your granite is up to you, but it's recommended when your granite looks dull. Dullness is often caused by a buildup of soap scum and residue. If you find your granite countertops simply don't look "polished" or new, polishing after cleaning can restore the shine and brilliance. It's also a good idea to polish every time you seal because it reinforces the seal and offers ongoing protection against smudges, water spots, and stains. However, sometimes dullness is caused by the wearing away of the professional finish. In this instance, polishing will not fix the issue. You’ll need to hire a professional to repair it.

Clean the Countertops Carefully

Before polishing, make sure your stone countertops have been cleaned very well to remove all buildup and grime. Spray the surface with a stone-safe cleaner like Granite Gold Daily Cleaner®, and wipe down the countertop with a soft cloth. Do not use common household cleaners on your granite because they may cause damage to the stone or finish.

Seal the Stone First

Always make sure your granite is sealed well before applying a polish. If it's been awhile since you’ve sealed the stone, apply a new sealant. This is easy to do on your own. Spray the sealant onto the surface, working in three-foot sections. Immediately buff the sealant into the stone until dry. Don't let the sealant dry on the surface or it will cause hazing.

Let the Seal Cure

You won't be able to polish the stone until the seal has cured. After the sealant is applied and dry, let it sit for at least 24 hours. This gives the sealant enough time to penetrate the stone and cure. You can do a final cleaning to remove dust and dirt before it's time to polish.

Polish the Surface

Once you've done it, you'll see that polishing granite isn't difficult when using the right polish. Holding the bottle 6-8 inches away from the surface, spray the granite polish onto the surface until it's saturated. Buff the polish into the stone with a lint-free cloth or dry paper towel, work it into all areas of the stone, then wipe dry with a new cloth or paper towel.

Granite Gold Polish® is safe to use on all food-preparation surfaces, it is non-toxic and non-acidic, and biodegradable, and it contains no phosphates or ammonia. It is also safe to use on other types of natural stone such as marble, travertine, slate, and quartz. Get in touch with the Stone Care Experts at Granite Gold® today to learn more about our high-quality products. Call 1-800-475-STONE to speak with one of our representatives.