Dear Kitchen,
What's the best way to keep my granite counter tops clean? I don't want to wreck them, but the streaks are really frustrating me.
J. K.
Good Question: How to Clean Granite Countertops
J.K., smart question. Sometimes I think those gleaming high-end kitchen we see in real esate ads are a little sad. No one uses (or loves) a kitchen that pristine and shiny.
Please -- don't let your new counters scare you away from cooking! Here's four steps and four products to consider forbringing back the gleam to your new counters:
Step 1. Know what kind of counter tops you have. Cleaning instructions difer depending on the brand of counter or type of stone you have. You might think it's obvious that your counters are granite or marble, but unless you or your contractor picked them out from the stone yard, don't be too sure. There are some exciting new products including CaesarStone and Silestone that look almost like real stone, but they aren't. True stone counter tops are a natural product so they are more porus, more likely to suck in stains.
If you aren't sure if your counters are a composite or natural material, go to a kitchen showroom store and look at their samples. When you hold granite and CaesarStone samples next to each other, you'll learn how to feel and see the differences. Hint: granite and marble don't have any kind of pattern or "logic" in their design; on close inspection, composite stone does.
Step 2. Clean as you cook. When I had old laminate counter tops, I had a bad habit of letting wine glasses sit out all night after a party. I'd spill some gravy and not wipe it up until after the guests left.
If you have natural stone counter tops, you need to be more careful. Cleaning as you go is a good habit to develop and your new counter tops might be the sparkling inspiration you need. Dried on food can be difficult to remove since you can't use abrasives on the counters, and -- oh the horror! -- red wine and grease can leave permenant stains on your new countertop investment.
Step 3. Research. There is so much information about these new high end counter tops available online. Learn about what other people are doing to keep the counters streak-free by doing a quick Web search on the specific brand name of your counter and cleaning. Unfortunately, some of the information will be conflicting. People who get really into their counter tops like to disagree on the best way to take care of them, but this is still helpful background information. Also, check out this story on eHow.
Then, ask the manufacturer or a stone yard, or at least look at their websites for cleaning tips. For example, my CaesarStone came from the helpful guys at Elite Granite so that's where I started my research. While your talking to these people, ask them how you can tell if you need to re-seal your counters. Keep in mind that since they might sell re-sealing services, it might be in their interest to suggest annual re-sealing.
Finally, read the lables of the products you're planning to use to clean the counters and check out their websites. People in the grocery store stare at me as I scrutinize cleaning product lables.
This seems like a lot of work, but it sure beats messing up countertops that cost as much as a decent used car, right?
Step 4. Buy and Try There's a slew of products ready to help us keep kitchen counters clean. I've been trying some different products lately, looking for one with a good smell that doesn't streak and won't damage my counters. Check back later today for a post on the counter cleaning products I've been testing. (While there's glass cleaner in my picture here, I don't recommend using that.)
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I too have dark granite countertops prone to streaking, and I've found that a product from Method called "The Daily Granite" works well (and smells really good too!) Microfiber cleaning cloths or mitts are also good for eliminating streaks.
Stay tuned S . . . I liked the Method spray too. Are you Mr. S who used to comment on posts or someone new to welcome to the Kitchen?
I love the Method Granite cleaner, I spray it directly on the granite and use a slightly damp paper towel.MAGIC!
I have black granite countertops... and they are granite, we did pick out the countertops at a stone yard in huge slabs. They are also sealed. What can I use to safely clean them? I believe the contractor said a "damp cloth." For one, does this really CLEAN them and for two, it leaves streaks. Would Method work? Isn't that a Target brand cleaner? What is safe to use?? HELP!
Chel, Method is not owned by Target. According to Method, this will work for you. It works well for me and does not streak.
I had UbaTuba black granite countertops for 10 years. Best thing I ever found was Windex. Resealed once per year and they looked like new 10 years later.
i just got a new granit kitchen countertop, problem how to clean it i have read your comments ,Where do you buy Method Granite cleaner?
how do you seal granite counter tops?
Just put in granite tile. Used silicone in the seams{not wanting grout lines} Now I have a residue on the surface. What is the best way to get it off before I seal?
Where do you buy Daily Granite cleaner and Method Spray Granite cleaner?
Daily Granite Cleaner and Method Spray you can buy at any Target. I also looked at Wal-Mart this weekend, they had granite cleaner and Pledge Multi-Surface has granite listed on its back as okay to use.... but I haven't tried it yet.
Good luck!
Hey guys I just bought a product called GRANITE GOLD DAILY CLEANER and Granite gold polish. I have a black granite and have tryed every cleaner known to man. This is the best one I found by far, no streaks, easy to use, great smell. I saw it was the #1 Granite Cleaner on Amazon and decided to give it a try an man was i glad.
There website is www.granitegold.com They have it at bed bath and beyond i'm pretty sure.
Hope this helps,
Take Care
Andy
Greetings all,
I too just purchased Granite Gold Daily Cleaner. It is great. Just a few sprays and streak free counter top. Yes you can buy it at Bed Bath and Beyond.
I, too, have spent the last one and a half years trying different cleaners for my granite counter tops. In frustration, I went back to store which sold the granite slabs to my builder, and asked what to use. They gave me a bottle of Stonetech Professional Revitalizer and wow, it is amazing! It is the best product, by far, that I have tried. It comes in a cucumber scent which makes me want to eat a salad each time I clean the counters. It is the perfect cleaner for granite counter tops! I will be sticking with this product!
What can I clean silestone counter tops with? They look "greasy" and streaky to me even after washing them down with soap and water. Thanks.
I have a quartz brand countertop. I believe it is 95% graanite and 5% fillers. What do I use to clean it properly. I too feel it always looks greasy and streaky even after wiping it down with soap and water.
I actually sealed my granite and bought an unending supply of micro fiber cloths from Sam's and my granite has never been more beautiful. I wash it with either plain or dish water and wipe. Nothing intense required.
view amcfulton's profile
susan, http://www.silestoneusa.com/care/careMaintenance.cfm
view Alan's profile
TSK TSK TSK
Granite countertops are the Harvest Gold and Avocado Green of 90's countertops....
view hdtex's profile
A true Swedish microfibre cloth and water are all that just about any counter (except one that is coated with mineral oil, like Soapstone) needs to keep it shiny and streak-free. Here are the cloths we use (the blue glass cloth is particularly good at keeping things shiny):
https://www.euronetusa.com/product/index_products.htm
view mschatelaine's profile
I had harvest gold appliances and avocado green counters in my NYC kitchen (remodeled in 1980 if you can believe my landlady) and no way is granite THAT ugly!
I've done probably over 100 kitchens over the past 2 years running a design center and our granite fabricator said to use Sprayway foam glass cleaner for everyday cleaning. Sprayway has no ammonia in it and comes in a blue and white 1950's style can--you can get it from Do It Best hardware stores or they can order it for you.
We put Silestone in mom's kitchen as of this summer--the whole reason was it's easy to clean, and at 70, she's sick of cleaning. Silestone really only needs warm soapy water to keep it clean. She had white 41 year old Formica before. She loves her new kitchen!
Each piece of granite can be a work of "modern" art, depending on the slab and the fabricator's ability to take advantage. PLEASE don't compare it to harvest gold and avocado green! (and I love green!)
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Home improvement or home renovation is the process of renovating or making additions to one's home. Often, a professional handyperson is hired to perform the improvements but, typically, most improvements are done on an amateur DIY basis by the homeowner.
http://www.buycountertop.com/
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Many vegetables taste fabulous just the way they are straight out of the garden. Lettuce, tomato, celery, cabbage, onion, radish, carrot are obvious choices here. But they are just as likely to find themselves next to chopped up broccoli, cauliflower, peas, beans and zucchini on a starter platter with dips. Wash 'em, chop 'em and eat 'em. Oh, yeah, you could also make a salad!
Craftsmennetwork
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I, too, accept spent the endure one and a bisected years aggravating altered cleaners for my granite adverse tops. In frustration, I went aback to abundance which awash the granite slabs to my builder, and asked what to use. They gave me a canteen of Stonetech Professional Revitalizer and wow, it is amazing! It is the best product, by far, that I accept tried. It comes in a cucumber aroma which makes me wish to eat a bloom anniversary time I apple-pie the counters. It is the absolute cleaner for granite adverse tops! I will be afraid with this product!
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nice post loved it
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