Cleaning and Disinfecting Granite Countertops

Homeowners with granite kitchen countertops need to be very careful as to how they maintain them. This is due to the process used for sealing the stone in order to prevent it from absorbing germs and bacteria that are present in many different types of raw foods. Since the stone is naturally porous it must be given a sealant to close up those pores, otherwise the countertop can absorb liquids and the bacteria within.

That will make your countertop hazardous to the health of you and your family. So, it’s absolutely critical that your counters are sealed and stay that way. The methods used for cleaning and disinfecting the stone will help to preserve the sealant and keep your countertops safe to use in the kitchen.

So here are some helpful tips for cleaning and disinfecting your granite countertops, courtesy of your favorite granite countertop company.

Cleaning

The most important thing to remember is never to use anything abrasive on your countertops. That includes the cleaning solution and the type of sponge or cloth. Neither should be harsh or rough. Always opt for gentle cleansers and a soft, clean cloth or sponge. When cleaning, just mix together some warm water and a mild dish soap.

Put them both in a spray bottle, shake it up and then spray the entire surface of the counters. Wipe and rinse with some more warm water before drying with another, separate, cloth or towel. If you do this at least once a day, your counters will be nice and clean without damaging the sealant.

Disinfecting

Maybe you want to take that extra step in the cleaning of your countertops by disinfecting them after a leak or spill of bacteria-infested liquid such as chicken blood. You can still get the job done by avoiding the harsh and abrasive stuff. Many homeowners will automatically reach for ammonia or bleach to clean the counters and this is a bad idea.

These can eat away at the sealant, making your counters unsafe to use after a while. Germs and bacteria can get into the stone and settle there and, before long, those beautiful granite countertops will need to come out of your kitchen. They simply won’t be sanitary any longer.

So, let’s avoid all of that by disinfecting the proper way. You can still use a simple mix of water and mild soap, but just turn up the heat on the water. Using very hot water to clean the granite will help to kill those germs and bacteria on the surface of the counter.

However, if you feel like you need something just a little bit stronger to fight those germs, mix in a few tablespoons of isopropyl alcohol with that hot water and dish soap combination. The added strength of the alcohol will be that germ-fighting ingredient that makes all the difference.

If you follow these steps for cleaning and disinfecting your granite, you’re going to preserve the look, feel, and safety of your countertops for as long as you own them.