I hate my granite countertops!

[UncleMike101]

I used to have Corian, but couldn't stand how easily it scratched. When the light hit it just right you could see all the tiny scratches just from sliding a dinner plate across it.

IMO, Quartz counter tops are far superior to granite.

Our Son has Corian in his kitchen and he hates it.
It scratches easily and is difficult to keep clean.
Last Fall we debated whether to put in granite or quartz kitchen countertops.
We chose quartz, and after talking to some granite countertop owners I'm glad we did.

 

[momrek06]

OP, I have granite in my CALI home and corian in my Boston home. I use 409 granite counter cleaner. $5.00 at Wal Mart. Works great.

We sold our Boston home (so no more Corian for me to clean or worry about) and we moved to a new home (so no more granite for me).

My new kitchen has Caesarstone!


http://www.caesarstone.co.uk/About-Us/Pages/What-is-Caesarstone.aspx

http://www.caesarstoneus.com/en/Customer_Service/Pages/FAQ.aspx

 

[EveDallas]

Try doing a cleaning with vinegar and water.

Agreed.

 

[mel&me]

I use just soap and water, was told to never use cleaners of any kind by installers. mine are always streak free and shinny.
almost 5 years now, I clean with soft sponge and dawn dish soap, wipe dry with a towel.
I did have granite treated when I purchased. Company I bought from told me the treated surface should last at least 15 years without a need for
any polishes. they also told me cleaners would shorten the life span of treated finish.

 

[bethy]

I have always disliked granite countertops. Some patterns and colors look very attractive but I hate the feel of them and the way they wipe up.

 

[andiraye]

I love my granite countertops! After a lifetime of Formica we finally moved into an apartment with granite. It is speckled so I sometimes can't tell if it is dirty (which is not great) but I love to bake, and the cold, hard granite is spectacular when it comes to rolling out doughs.

 

[Bilberry]

I really enjoy my black granite hardtop in the kitchen, but it can be a chore to keep clean. I found microfiber towels help, but it's still a task removing all the streaks.

 

[pryncess527]

I used to have Corian, but couldn't stand how easily it scratched. When the light hit it just right you could see all the tiny scratches just from sliding a dinner plate across it.

IMO, Quartz counter tops are far superior to granite.

Agreed, I LOVE my Quartz.

 

[snapppyd]

I can't say enough about Gleen clothes. I bought them online, they are life changing. Seriously, no chemicals and no streaks, you just use water.

 

[momrek06]

I can't say enough about Gleen clothes. I bought them online, they are life changing. Seriously, no chemicals and no streaks, you just use water.

https://www.gleencloth.com

WOW, snappy, I am getting some of these! I jsut read their whole site! COOL!!!

 

[Tiggeroo]

Moved into a new house recently with black granite countertops. They are speckled and very glossy and they always look dirty. Swipe marks dry on them when I wipe them and they look filthy.

Am I doing something wrong? We also have broken many glasses due to how hard the countertops are. I hate them. Anyone else hate theirs?

I hate my stainless appliances. Always streaked or finger printed. I didn't choose them. They were here. I hate them so much.

 

[mel&me]

I can't say enough about Gleen clothes. I bought them online, they are life changing. Seriously, no chemicals and no streaks, you just use water.

These cloths look ok, problem I see just using water. Soap and water gets rid of bacteria better than just water.

 

[Kriii]

I am not sure how they would be ruined, but my installer also warned me not to use windex. I use a granite cleaner daily and a granite polish one time per week. There is different polish that is used one time a year. The brand of cleaner and polish that I use is called ¨Granite Gold.¨ Glad your countertops are looking better.

 

[snapppyd]

https://www.gleencloth.com

WOW, snappy, I am getting some of these! I jsut read their whole site! COOL!!!

I promise you will love them!

 

[Jessica Lombardi]

That is sad. You can buy a new one from shivagranite.com

 

[aprilchem]

I would absolutely never use heavy cleaners like 409 or even windex, which have a lot of chemicals and ammonia, to clean.

I use Glass Plus, which is ammonia free and good for any and all surfaces. (and even dilute that.... believe me it works... you do not need the chemicals and solvents and fumes for most cleaning)

OP, it is the slick black that is the problem, not that it is Granite... I love my beautiful Granite! You might have to use a good streak-free cleaner, and/or make sure that you wipe dry and streak free.

Maybe a good polish would help?

no, no windex on granite or vinegar!!!!!!!

granite is pourous, and the sealing method vaires from granite to granite, therefore using many grocery store cleaners can permantely ruin them



Invest in daily grainite cleaner and water!!!! no soap either---method sells a daily granite cleaner, a light spritz, followed by hot water wash, then dry with paper towels.

They may need to be re-sealed if they were cleaned like this for years--I/d call a granite company in for an opinion

Vinegar and water might be fine for Granite IF it has a good sealant on it. Without applying sealant occasionaly, how could one be sure.
But, I would think that most granite could have compounds that vinegar could erode should the sealant not be adequate.

I also would not use Windex, or any other cleaner that has ammonia.

A hot soapy dish-cloth should be fine.
Might not want to use a strong solution of detergent, as this might begin to remove the sealant.

I've had granite countertops in my kitchen for 12 years now, and I've always cleaned them with a cleaning solution that I make myself - it consists of 1/4 ammonia, 1/4 vinegar, 1/4 rubbing alcohol, a few drops of essential oil, and the rest water. They look great, and have never been sealed. I've read all the dire warnings about how all of these cleaners will affect your countertops, but they haven't done anything bad to mine.

 

[Justin Pierce]

I do not hate my granite countertops!

 

[tvguy]

Our Son has Corian in his kitchen and he hates it.
It scratches easily and is difficult to keep clean.
Last Fall we debated whether to put in granite or quartz kitchen countertops.
We chose quartz, and after talking to some granite countertop owners I'm glad we did.

We have had Corian for 4 years now, not issues. They sell a kit for $14 that takes scratches out.
My neighbor put in granite at the same time as us, he has had to have cracks fixed and have it resealed twice. But it is the look his wife wanted. He's a contractor, so he knew exactly what to expect to granite.

 

[tvguy]

We sold our Boston home (so no more Corian for me to clean or worry about) and we moved to a new home (so no more granite for me).

My new kitchen has Caesarstone!


http://www.caesarstone.co.uk/About-Us/Pages/What-is-Caesarstone.aspx

http://www.caesarstoneus.com/en/Customer_Service/Pages/FAQ.aspx

One of the contractors we got bid from insisted Caesarstone was best. Of course, he was a Caesarstone dealer. The 4 other contractors we got bids from were not fans.

 

[Hisgirl]

I'm tired of mine. When we got them a few years back, there was SO much of this one color, all speckled, and I see it in every house I visit. I am hearing folks are ripping them out when they buy houses now and putting in what they want.

We just redid all of our bathrooms with cocoa quartz and white cabinets and I love them! Love love them! I wish I had gone with a solid color instead of the speckled look. We wipe our down with granite cleaner and I have never broken anything. I love them and would never go back to non-rock tops. My quartz tops were $26 per foot, from a local shop. Great price!