There are a lot of reasons to avoid using mass-produced, chemical-based cleaning products on your granite countertops. Chief among them are the health consequences, the negative impact they have on the environment and the damage they can do to your countertops.
Cleaning products are marketed as marvels of modern engineering. However, household cleaning products can have harsh effects, causing rashes on your skin, deterioration of the ozone layer and leaving dull spots on sterling granite countertops. So, what’s a homeowner to do if store-bought cleaners can’t be trusted? Make your own! Here’s how to clean granite countertops:
Try baking soda and water
It sounds too simple to be true, but this mixture actually works. A little baking soda mixed with water to a paste consistency is a great way to keep your granite countertops clean.
Use an eco-friendly dish washing detergent and warm water
If baking soda and water don’t provide enough of that “freshly cleaned” scent you’ve come to associate with clean countertops, try mixing some non-acidic dishwashing detergent with warm water and gently wiping your countertops with a soft cloth or sponge. Not only will this work, but your countertops will smell lemony fresh.
Try some rubbing alcohol
You can try mixing rubbing alcohol with a touch of environmentally friendly dish washing detergent. Not only will this solution clean your countertops, but it’ll also provide a “clean” scent you won’t get with baking soda and water. Alcohol works wonders as a disinfectant.
But, before you rush out and buy a batch of baking soda, some eco-friendly dishwashing detergent and a bottle of vodka, there’s something you need to know — acid can cause significant damage to your granite countertops. So make sure that whatever you purchase isn’t acidic. Also, don’t use abrasive products as these can leave dull spots on your counters.
Of course, the best way to keep your countertops clean and stain-free is to wipe up any spills as soon as they occur, and then use one of the recipes listed above to make sure there isn’t any leftover, hidden remnants of the substance seeping into the pores of your countertops.
You can learn more about cleaning your granite countertops from the experts at Arch City Granite & Marble, Inc.