OT - Cleaning granite countertops??

[ICan'tWait]

For those with granite countertops - do you use Lysol or Clorox wipes on them? Does it harm them in anyway?? Someone told me not to use ammonia on granite and Lysol lists Ammonium Chloride as an ingredient.

Thanks!!

 

[buzz5985]

Home Depot sells a cleaning kit that I use. My granite looks as good as it did 2 years ago when it was installed. The kit comes with a cleaner, antibacterial cleaner, polish, and sealant. I think the kit was around $25 and lasted over a year.

 

[TDERadulski]

I use the kit from Home Depot as well. It comes with a daily cleaner and I think an antibacterial cleaner (we have moved from the hose and I do not have the cleaner handy to check). I also purchased some grantie polish. You need to be careful about the cleaner because you can strip the finish off....at least that is what the man told me when he installed ours. He said cetain cleaners can take the shine away and to only use ones that state they can be used on granite surfaces.

 

[LilBlackSheep]

We use Aqua Mix Ultra Clean Spray Cleaner with UltraSeal from Lowe's.

It cleans, polishes and rejuvenates sealer in one step.

 

[bdcp]

For those with granite countertops - do you use Lysol or Clorox wipes on them? Does it harm them in anyway?? Someone told me not to use ammonia on granite and Lysol lists Ammonium Chloride as an ingredient.

Thanks!!

Ammonium chloride is not household ammonia. Ammonia is ammonium hydroxide. Just wanted to clear that up. That said, I don't know the effect ammonium chloride (a type of slightly acidic ammonia salt (chlorides are salts) would have on granite, but I never use Lysol. I usually use Windex (antibacterial) on my granite countertops.

 

[Tinkerbelle32]

I wasl also told to use reg. old Windex. My installer also told me not to used soap and water. Did anyone else hear of this?

 

[vassello]

When we had our granite installed, our guy told us to just use a spray bottle of water on the countertop. If you really feel like you need to do more, only products specifically indicted for granite. My countertops still look new 3 years later.

 

[Braque]

I have been looking (unsuccessfully for 3 years) for a good grease cutter for granite. Certainly, a spray bottle of water is going to do anything. I heard that Windex is not good for granite and anything with citrus in it is not good either. Right now I'm using a granite cleaner that comes from Lowes, the granite polish is in a separate spray bottle. Degreaser suggestions, anyone?

 

[kaseyC]

I use Simple Green Stone Cleaner and Stone Care Polish. you can buy it at Home Depot.

 

[jrmasm]

green Windex

 

[sunshinegirl]

Target makes pop-up wipes (just like the Clorox wipes) that are specific for Granite, Wood, and Stainless Steel now. It's their own "Method" line. It says "the daily granite biodegradable wipes" on the front. I have three sets of disposable wipes in my kitchen. LOL! The Stainless ones, the Granite Ones, and plain Clorox for everything else. The granite one also says "clean + polish granite and marble surfaces" on the front.

I got mine at a Super Target. I'm not sure if regular Target would have them as well.

 

[podsnel]

I was told by my installer to never use anything with ammonia or anything acidic. Both will strip the finish, so it will not shine anymore. I have followed this advice, and 3 years later, all my granite is still beautiful. I use Granite Magic to clean, I get it at Bed Bath and Beyond. The only bad spot I have on my granite is a ring left from someone's glass at a party- there was lemon juice on the bottom of the glass . So you really do need to be careful about anything at all acidic, even just mis-sprinkled citrus juice or vinegar- wipe it up quickly!!! The installer also specifically said not to use windex- that alot of people think it makes it shine, but eventually it ruins it.

 

[Tinkerbelle32]

Oh no! I've been using Windex for the last several months(just had the granite since late Aug.) Do you think I have caused damage already?

Just looked at my new bottle of Glass Plus(blue kind) and it says:" Glass and Multi-Surface Cleaner. Great on stainless steel and granite surfaces." Also it says that it contains no ammonia. I hope I'm O.K.

 

[Belle5]

I was told no windex. I use a bottle of water with a tiny squirt of soap in it. I spray down the counters to soften any residue then wipe over it with a hot, wet dish towel. Then I wipe down with a dry towel.

 

[littlele]

I use the Method brand of granite cleaner spray. I actually ended up using it on my stove top too, because it is great at cleaning up greasy residues.

It is fairly inexpensive, lasts a long time and gives the granite a good shine.

 

[kidshop]

Do ya'all feel like the counters are really disinfected? I have laminate currently, and we will be re-doing the kitchen in the summer. I like to use bleach cleaner spray to really kill germs and get the counters super clean. I know you can't do that with granite. I'm afraid I would never think the counters were clean enough!

 

[buzz5985]

The cleaners I use from Home Depot comes with an antibacterial cleaner, daily cleaner (does well with anything on my counter), polish, and a sealant. I reseal my counter once a year. Going on my 3rd year, looks as well as the day I put it in.

I believe if you call your granite installer they can get stains out of the granite for you.

You also have to be careful using any citrus products in stainless steel dishwashers. Eventually it will pit the stainless steel. I use the cascade complete.

 

[LilBlackSheep]

Do ya'all feel like the counters are really disinfected? I have laminate currently, and we will be re-doing the kitchen in the summer. I like to use bleach cleaner spray to really kill germs and get the counters super clean. I know you can't do that with granite. I'm afraid I would never think the counters were clean enough!

I have a really big chopping board and use that for all of my slicing, dicing and meat cutting. I never cut stuff directly on the countertop.

That way, the counter will stay a little bit cleaner and I don't have to worry about disinfecting it with bleach.

 

[liznboys]

Do ya'all feel like the counters are really disinfected? I have laminate currently, and we will be re-doing the kitchen in the summer. I like to use bleach cleaner spray to really kill germs and get the counters super clean. I know you can't do that with granite. I'm afraid I would never think the counters were clean enough!

We just moved into a new house and instead of granite, we have Silestone counters (quartz). Check it out:
http://www.silestoneusa.com/index/index.cfm?CFID=902272&CFTOKEN=10163344

Care & Maintenance info: http://www.silestoneusa.com/care/careMaintenance.cfm

I love our counters!

 

[Tinkerbelle32]

We also had quotes for Silestone, as well as the granite. But, the nice gal at Lowe's told us that Silestone scratched very easily. Have you noticed this?