How to Clean Black Granite?
You’ve got a new, shiny, beautiful black granite countertop , and you want to keep it that way. So how do you keep it clean and shiny without damaging the surface? Cleaning black granite countertops is not difficult, but there are definitely some dos and don’ts for making sure you preserve the smooth black surface. So read on below to find out how to clean black granite. The information here could save you a major headache, not to mention a lot of money!
Why Use Black Granite Cleaner?
Granite has a special coating on it to keep the surface shiny, and the wrong kind of cleaner can either scratch the surface or even strip the stone of the protective coating. Aside from keeping the surface shiny, the coating or sealant is important because it protects your granite from germs and bacteria. Without this coating, your granite is susceptible to getting contaminated by microbes from raw meat, dairy, and eggs, which could then cross-contaminate other food you’re making, such as bread or even fruits and veggies.
So which types of cleaners should you avoid? Anything acidic, such as vinegar or even multi-surface cleaners like Windex. They’ll end up damaging your countertop much more than they’ll help clean it.
The Best Cleaners for Black Granite
The good news is that the best cleaners for black granite are easy to get. In fact, you may already have some of them in your home already. If not, almost all of them are available at your local grocery store. Let’s take a look at what they are.
PH Neutral Soap
As mentioned above, you want to stay away from acidic products. So a mild, natural dish soap, diluted with water, is one of the best possible choices for cleaning your granite countertop. Simply take a soft clean sponge (no rough surfaces), get it damp, then squeeze a little bit of dish soap in the center of the sponge. Make sure there’s no more than half a tablespoon of soap on your sponge. This may seem pretty basic, but it works!
Bleach or Ammonia
This isn’t the ideal cleaner for your countertop, but if you want you can use a small amount of these chemicals, even though they are acidic. That doesn’t mean to use these products together… do NOT do that? Only use one or the other. Using them together can damage your countertop.
Essential Oils
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly germ killer that smells great, essential oils are a good choice for you. Make sure you dilute your essential oils well with carrier oil or water, with an ideal ratio of seven drops of essential oil to two cups of water. You can use lavender, tea tree, eucalyptus, grapefruit, oregano, cinnamon, clove, thyme, and pine. These oils are effective, safe, and will leave your kitchen smelling fresh.
Seventh Generation
Seventh Generation is a cleaning brand that makes affordable natural cleaners free of dies, synthetic fragrances, BPA, or other harmful chemicals. It turns out that their disinfecting multi-surface cleaner is quite possibly the best cleaner for black granite. An added bonus is that the cleaner is advertised to be effective against 99.9% of household germs, including Influenza A virus, the common cold, H1N1, Salmonella, and E. coli.
Acetone or Alcohol
If paint or ink gets on your countertop (anyone with kids knows this is not only possible but probable), you need something a little more serious. If you want to remove these paint and ink stains, you can do so with acetone or mineral alcohol.
Be careful though. Make sure you wear gloves and dilute either substance well with warm water. Once you apply to the stain, use a clean cloth to rub it off.
Baking Soda
For oil stains, baking soda works better than almost anything. Simply make a “paste” with baking soda and some water, apply to the affected area, and let it sit for a few hours (or for serious stains, a few days may be necessary). The baking soda should soak up the oil and/or chemicals, and all you’ll need to do is wipe it off with a cloth.
How Often Should You Clean Black Granite?
If you’re dedicated to knowing how to keep black granite clean and shiny, there’s a specific cleaning schedule you should follow. We’ve broken down the best way to clean black granite below to make it as easy as possible. While it may seem daunting, it’s quite easy once you start to actually do it.
Daily Cleaning
All you need to do daily to clean black granite is to use some hot water and a sponge or rag to clean up spills and wipe off crumbs. Try to do this as they happen, especially if they’re liquids.
Weekly Cleaning
At least once per week, you should do a deeper clean of your entire countertop. Take everything off the counter, wipe off the dust and debris from all appliances, and thoroughly wipe down your granite.
Monthly Cleaning
Every month, you’ll want to polish your surface to keep your black countertop clean and shiny. You can buy a granite polish at the store (remember to make sure it’s not acidic) or you can use some baking soda to get the job done.
Yearly Cleaning
Once a year, you’ll need to reseal your granite countertop. This sealant will prevent the stone from absorbing water (or other liquids) and will protect your granite from germs and bacteria. You can easily do this yourself, there’s no need to hire a professional to come and do it.
Conclusion
As you can see, the best way to clean black granite countertops is simply to be diligent and organized. There’s nothing complicated about cleaning your black granite countertop, but you do have to keep a schedule and make sure you’re using the right products. Failure to do so could result in the beautiful shiny surface losing its luster over time, which is not something you want to do. Black granite is one of the most stunning surfaces you can have in your hope because of its striking look.
For more information on maintaining your kitchen countertops or for more information on the best kitchen countertop surfaces, visit us at Pro Stone Countertops. We specialize in granite and quartz countertop design and installation in the Memphis area.
