Granite Countertops - what do you use as cleaning product?

[Calyn79]

I just got mine (Baltic Brown) installed and sealed by a long time company close to Victoria, B.C. I just love my choice of granite. However, what products have you found that you can use to wipe it down with. I was told only soap and water. Anyone use Pledge? or? On my TUG search, I read that someone uses orange fantasik.

I was also told to reseal using linseed or mineral oil as either will do the same job as the sealant they put on - really? I was not left any of the sealant product that they used. Or, should I look somewhere to purchase a specific sealant product for when the time comes to reseal.

TUGgers are the greatest! Thank you for your tried and true caring for granite experiences. I'm like the kid on the block with the new shiney car and want to care for my new natural purchase. I was up early this a.m. just to oogle it and touch it!

 

[abbekit]

I like the Method brand granite cleaner that they sell at Target and some grocery stores. I really liked the Black Diamond granite cleaner but can't find it locally and it's expensive to order on-line due to the shipping charges.

However, when the counters are really greasy such as after frying something in the electric wok I just use plain old Windex type window cleaner to really cut the grease.

We have San Gabriel Black granite which is tougher than lighter colors so I don't worry too much about it. I do immediately wipe up the ammonia based cleaner and anything other spills (especially careful with acidic things like wine and vinegar).

Our granite was sealed by the installer but I've read that black granite doesn't really need sealing so we haven't resealed it in the four years since it's been installed. It still looks brand new.

 

[mayson12]

I really like the Weiman's (sp?) Granite Wipes. They seem to cut through any grime better than most things I've tried. I used to buy them at Target, but they haven't had them the last few times I've been . I bought the Method spray bottle granite cleaner once instead, but don't really like it. I find it leaves streak marks. Another thing I've tried that works pretty well to remove spots, etc is just a damp microfiber cloth. Or spray water with a spray bottle and wipe it away with a dry microfiber cloth. This method also seems to work best getting rid of fingerprints on my stainless steel refrigerator.

 

[jlwquilter]

I use Aqua Mix Tile and Stone Floor Cleaner (I don't know why it says "floor") - the one Ideal for Everday Use (they also have a deep cleaner). I buy it at Lowes Home Improvment. Home Depot doesn't carry it.

It's a natural PH cleaner so safe on all natural materials. I use it on my granite and well as the marble sinks/counters in the bathrooms. When I want to really disinfect, I'll use a very diluted bleach water wash and then quickly wipe it off using this cleaner... usually on the bathroom marble when we have colds, etc.

They also make a sealer, which I used on the granite...once. You don't have to seal very often. Drop some water on the surface. If it sits there, it's sealed, If it seeps in, you need to seal. It may be years before another sealing is required.

By the way, if anyone has a better way to disinfect the marble, I'd LOVE to hear it! I hate using the bleach as I know it will ruin the marble over time but sometimes I HAVE to kill the germs.

Enjoy your lovely counters!

 

[Kel]

Windex

Windex. I was told not to use Windex, but that's what I've used on my granite for 6 years. It looks as good today as the day it was installed. In the beginning - I tried a few different granite cleaners and they made the granite look cloudy or full of streaks. So I just started using Windex. Sometimes I will wipe down the granite with a spray bottle of rubbing alcohol. It works for my granite. And, we've never done anything to the granite other than wipe it down since it was installed.

 

[Kay H]

The installers used windex on mine and recommende it but I read somewhere that windex should't be used on granite so I use eithe a wet microfiber cloth or mybe every 3 or 4 wks a special granite cleaner. Mine is drk brown and I love it.

I've never resealed.

 

[azsunluvr]

I also just use water and a microfiber cloth. Every once in awhile I'll shine it up with Weiman Marble, Granite & Countertop Polish. It really does restore lustre, but only for a few days.

 

[Harvey and Lin]

Every day - Granite Gold. Every third day Stonetech Revitalizer.

 

[cedars]

My installer recommended windex-I have used it for a year and it looks new. Cedars