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Spills have a tendency to
soak into the surface, so to avoid deep staining wipe up spills
immediately.
For stone surfaces a neutral cleaner, such as stone soap or mild
dishwashing liquid and warm water, is safe to use.
When cleaning with a soap solution, use a soft, clean cloth and then
rinse the surface thoroughly. Finish off by drying with a soft,
clean cloth.
If you do happen to stain the surface, removal depends on the type
of stain. First, try removing it with this paste: mix together a cup
of flour, 1-2 tablespoons of dishwashing liquid, and water. Place
the paste over the stain, cover in plastic wrap, and leave
overnight. In the morning, use a wooden utensil to scrape away the
paste and give it a rinse. This should work except for stains made
from grease, oil, or milk. In these cases, instead of dishwashing
liquid use hydrogen peroxide in the paste, or ammonia.
For organic stains resulting from coffee, tea, or fruit, a mixture
of 12% hydrogen peroxide combined with a few drops of ammonia should
work wonders.
Ink, marker and wine stains on darker stone require a lacquer
thinner or acetone for removal. Hydrogen peroxide works well on
light-colored granite.
Another method to remove wine, ink, or any other non-oil stain is to
mix molding plaster and pure bleach into a paste. Apply for 30
minutes, remove, and rinse.
For oil-based or fat-based stains, create a paste of molding plaster
and water. Keep it on the stain for 3 hours and then remove and
rinse.
Granite countertops require resealing every two to three years, but
ask your installer for suggestions as to when this needs to be done.
Of course, on surfaces that will be used for food preparation, use a
non-toxic sealer.
New disinfectant cleaners on the market now come in formulas
designed for granite countertops - purchase this type of product if
you prefer disinfectant cleaners to other cleaning options.
For any problem that you can't handle on your own or are not
familiar with, call a professional to handle the cleaning job.
Use coasters, especially for alcoholic and citrus beverages, as the
acid in these drinks can dull the stone's surface.
Keep hot items off the surface.
Always test these cleaning methods on small discreet area for color
fastness or granite damage. |
