In this guide you will learn the must and must not do's in granite countertop cleaning. By avoiding and practicing preventive maintenance your marble and granite counters will shine like new for many, many years.

Care Of Granite Countertops

First you will need to avoid bad habits...
We as humans are habitual, so by just practicing these counter top cleaning methods you will save tons of headaches and expensive marble cleaning mistakes.

Granite, marble, travertine, limestone, soapstone, quartz and solid surface are similar in many ways, but their differences require varying degrees of maintenance.

However . . .

If you utilize the granite care and cleaning procedures that follow for all your countertops . . . no matter what type of stone or surface . . . you'll eliminate most potential problems without ever having to think too hard about it or worry that you may be causing damage. 

The Good Granite Countertop Cleaning Habits...

You will want to blot spills quickly. The substances with alot of acid in them are your marble and granites worst enemy. These items include:

• coffee
• fruit juices
• tomato sauce
• soda
• wine

All these acidy substances can do a number to your granite counter tops. You will also want to avoid cooking oils, because these can leave a stain as well if not wiped up immediately.

Feel free to use a sponge or soft cloth when cleaning granite or marble. You will want to use a special formulated granite cleaner like Marble Maverick to do quick granite clean-ups. But be ware that excessive use of soap will cause a filmy buildup and dull your granite counter-tops shine.

You got to love those coasters.... My grandma always insisted I use coaster under my glass and now I know why. To keep those water stains off the marble and stone. This is a valuable prevention method for granite countertop care. If you do not have sealed granite, then a must is to use the coasters. These are affordable granite sealer solutions. If you are ready for the high end endless protection of your granite, then by all means have a look at the granite sealer, Marble Infusion.

Many common foods and drinks contain acids that may etch the polish or damage the surface. So for easy solid surface, natural stone and granite counter top maintenance, always use coasters.

For glasses and dishes that pile up on the kitchen countertop (which should be granite) and around the kitchen sink, just be sure to rinse out with water before letting them set for any length of time.

For your pots, pans and dinnerware on your marble granite.

Use triveys and hot pads under them. Yes, you can take a hot pot off the stove and put it right on granite, quartz or soapstone without any problems. Not true for all other surfaces. But you must consider other issues as well.

Grit that gets trapped between the pot and the countertop surface may scratch the surface--even granite. Granite is very hard and can take tons of abuse without any damage, but it does contain some softer minerals that could be chipped or scratched. The likelihood is pretty slim, but it is possible. And ALL other surfaces are softer that granite. Better safe than sorry.

If it does happen, don't fret too much. Most chips and scratches can be easily repaired, but it's best to avoid them by following the granite counter top care tips.

Also, once you remove the hot pan from the countertop the surface will be very hot and may burn.

Use cutting boards.
Again, avoid the possibility of scratching the surface and protect your knives. Cutting on stone will dull and damage your knives' edges quickly.

Dust mop your natural stone floors regularly.
Use a clean, dry, non-treated dust-mop. Some people choose to use a vacuum cleaner. But be real careful. Worn parts or grit jammed by the wheels may scratch the surface.

Use door mats inside and out along with runners and area rugs.
Grit, dirt and sand carried in by our shoes are abrasive and will wear and scratch the surface.

What Not To Do When Cleaning Granite Countertops

Never Use generic cleaning products such as bleach, glass cleaners or degreasers.

This is such a costly mistake and where marble care professionals make over 80% of their business. Simply because people will try to use a very acidic product which will turn your marble into a discolored nightmare.

These products that you buy at your local store contain acids, alkalis and other chemicals that can etch or damage the countertop surface or degrade the granite sealer leaving the stone more vulnerable to staining. Trying to save money by using these chemicals only ensures that you'll spend a lot more time and money on you granite counter top maintenance in the long-run.

Even better consider going green and use all natural cleaning products for your household cleaners. This will ensure safe non-acidic cleaners to be used around your home which also are infused with natural cleaning ingredients to improve wellness and energy.

Stay away from vinegar, ammonia, lemon or orange cleaners, these products will damage your marble and granite countertops right away.

Tub and bathroom products are not meant for granite countertops nor bathroom marble. These products usually contains phosphates and our extremely harmful to you and your granite. Even the softest creams contain abrasives and will etch and scratch the marble granite surfaces, creating a costly mishap.

Hey... No Sitting or Standing on the marble granite countertops. Sometimes you may have visitors over and the party may get wild where you have your guests sitting on the granite countertops or even worse standing on them. Be warned, to much weight and CRACK!!!!

Keep the toiletry products off the surface of your granite countertops. Your spouses or kids hair products, perfumes, colognes, nail products, creams and all the other junk you may put on the counter can do a number to your granite counter tops. Use a tray or something to prevent direct content and under the trey possibly use a soft cloth.

Going natural in your marble granite cleaning?

There is our new line available which includes Marble Maverick which is a neutral marble granite cleaning product that is 10x more concentrated and delivers a safe solution to cleaning granite countertops.

There is also another solution to sealing your granite. The natural granite sealer Marble Infusion is the leading Marble Care product for the industry.  Also, because our marble products are Green Bean formulas, they are infused with ingredients from remote locations of the world to infuse customers with energy, tranquility and wellness. Read more about our natural cleaning products ingredients which imporve wellness.