Granite is a popular material for kitchen countertops because of its strong resilience and beautiful appearance. The material is resistant to heat and stands well against wear and tear. If you have a granite countertop or plan to install it, you should maintain it well to get a more extended service and retain the aesthetic appeal.
Cleaning is the primary step for granite countertop maintenance. Even when the granite material is white, you can still clean it with ease to leave your kitchen smelling fresh and looking good all through. Here are a few simple steps on how to clean white counters.
Step 1: Gather The Tools And Equipment
The things you require for the cleaning entirely depend on the current condition of the countertop and your desired results. If the granite countertop contains a few dirt particles and spills, you will only need warm water and mild soap.
However, the requirements may be many for a large countertop with lots of dirt. Here are a few essentials for cleaning white quartz countertops:
- A soft cloth/ sponge
- Mild soap and a soap dish
- Hot water
- Water bowl
- Baking soda
- Soft brush
Step 2: Clean Off The Kitchen Countertops
Clear off the things on your kitchen countertop to create space and make the cleaning process more manageable. These things can include stoves, cooking appliances and cutlery. Besides the large appliances, your kitchen countertop may have a few other pieces of debris. Wipe them off with a soft brush.
Step 3: Scrub The Surface
Apply a little soap into your soft cloth, dip in the warm water and start to clean your white granite countertop. Though granite is a sturdy material, you should be gentle on it because harsh scrubbing can facilitate the wear and tear of the shiny top layer.
When scrubbing, you will notice that the light dirt comes out easily. However, persistent spills may require you to use excess energy or more soap to remove them altogether. The stubborn stains mostly build up when you stay for an extended period without cleaning your countertops.
Here are helpful tips on removing the stubborn stains from white kitchen countertops:
- Use Baking Powder
Baking powder works best for all types of stains, including oil based ones. All you need to do is apply a little baking soda to the stain, wait for three to five minutes and wipe it off with your soft cloth and water.
If the stain remains, reapply the baking soda on the stain, cover it with plastic paper and leave it for 12 hours. Chances are high the stains will get off when you rewash it.
- Use A Knife Or Razor Blade
An alternative method of removing stubborn stains is to use a razor blade/knife. Hold the knife on the countertop and try to get rid of the stain. Focus on the stain only, so you don’t end up scrubbing the countertop.
Step 4: Rinse The Countertop With Clean Water
After removing the stubborn stains, you can now rinse off your countertop with warm water. There’s no limit to the amount of water you can use here provided that you are comfortable the countertop is sparklingly clean.
If possible, use another soft dry cloth to wipe the granite. As you wipe, you will notice any types of dirt or marks which could have been left. You can repeat the scrubbing if you feel the countertop is not as clean as you wanted. But if the white surface is clean, you can move on to the next step, which is disinfecting.
Step 5: Disinfect The Surface
Kitchen countertops can be breeding zones for germs and pests which come from the food remains. Therefore, cleaning alone may not be enough to keep off germs in the wake of Covid 19. You might need to disinfect your granite countertop to keep it germ-free, considering that a countertop is one of the high-traffic areas in a kitchen.
The CDC recommends two main disinfectants to keep your kitchen countertops clean: alcohol and diluted bleach. For the bleach, you should dilute 1/3 cup with a whole gallon of water.
The disinfectant application is simple: use a spray for both solutions to apply the surface evenly. Wait for five minutes, and then use a soft dry cloth and warm water to rinse off the surface.
Additional Ways To Keep White Granite Looking Brand New
Granite is an easy-to-clean countertop material. However, there are few extra steps that you can take to keep a white granite looking new at all times. Here are some of them:
- Add A Seal
Sealing adds a protective layer to prevent some stains from penetrating. If your countertop is still new, chances are the seal is still intact. But if the countertop is more than a year old, then re-sealing will be necessary.
You can pour water into the countertop and watch how it reacts. If a large pool of water remains, the seal is still intact.
Note: the countertop should be completely dry before you add the seal to avoid trapping moisture under the seal.
- Avoid Acidic Substances And Harsh Clothes When Cleaning
Cleaners that contain lemon, vinegar and ammonia have excess acid, which can eventually wear off a white granite countertop. If you are not sure of the content of your cleaning agents, read the ingredients or ask the seller. Also, avoid steel wool and other harsh clothes when cleaning. A soft cloth is enough to give you excellent results.
- Clean Your Countertops Daily
Granite may not be as porous as marble. However, daily cleaning can be a great preventative measure to keeping your granite top intact. Milk, oil, tea, coffee, and other spills may look minor, but they can make the white surface unattractive and make the cleaning process hard. Always wipe them off immediately with water and a cloth.
Seek Help When You Need It
A white granite countertop is a valuable addition to your kitchen. Strive to keep it clean by following the tips above. Don’t hesitate to seek the help of a professional on how to remove stains from white granite countertops if you experience challenges.
Arch City Granite & Marble, Inc. helps in the fabrication and installation of granite kitchen countertops. We provide more than 100 granite color options to our clients and help them choose the best colors and designs for their kitchens.
Explore our granite countertops gallery to select the best for your kitchen. You can also contact our team for a quicker response.