what do you clean your granite with?

[MKCP5]

We have newly installed granite in the kitchen. What do you clean or polish it with that is budget freindly and eco/child friendly? I want it to shine

 

[Aristomommy]

I have a spray cleaner that is made for granite. I get it usually at Bed Bath and beyond with a 20% off coupon. It retails $5.99 and then I get the discount. I am too nervous to make something myself after making the investment of granit countertops.

 

[jrmasm]

Windex without ammonia.

 

[rcraw45425]

I use pledge, the one in the blue trigger bottle that's safe for electronics, or a granite cleaner by Method from Target. I messed up and bought a counter cleaner from Williams-Sonoma that smells wonderful, but it has oil in it and always left the counter top greasy feeling.

 

[kaseyC]

I use Simple Green Stone Care or 409 Natural Stone Cleaner.

 

[mamaminnie]

I use Countertop Magic. You can get it in Home Depot or Lowes, or sometimes in Target or a Supermarket.

I prefer the aerosol can scared1: I know) to the spray bottle- it seems to work better.

Use an old towel to buff it- not paper towels and you'll get a great shine.

 

[KigerKat]

Any kind of cleaner without ammonia - ammonia will take away the shine.

 

[Psychodisney]

I use soap and water but make sure you rinse the soap off well. Occasionally I use the Method daily granite wipes(from Target)-they give a gorgeous shine. I googled granite cleaning and there is a simpe formula that inludes alcohol-I think that helps it evaporate quicker so no spots!

 

[pearlieq]

I use 1/3 cup rubbing alcohol mixed with 2/3 cup water. To that I add about 1/2 teaspoon of liquid dish soap (like Dawn). Just spray on and wipe off. Paper towels are fine, but a microfiber cloth really makes them look great!

It works very well and is very inexpensive. You must be very careful to resist the urge to add more soap. You just need a tiny bit to cut grease and break the surface tension of the water. Any more will make it hard to wipe up and dull the luster of your countertops.

 

[mytwokiddies]

I second the simple green granite cleaner. We have tried others in the past, but this is the one that works the best for us!

 

[MKCP5]

Thanks guys! I will try one of these when I go out shopping today

 

[NLK]

My granite always looks grimy. It never shines. I have used the thing from Target the simple green stuff, something that is supposed to polish it. nothing seems to work. It might not help that I have a 2 year old DS and he's just gross! I'd like to try the home made mixture. Any advice?

 

[TaraPA]

Another thumbs up for the Method Granite Cleaner. It's not cheap so I stock up when it's on sale. I use plain old soap & hot water first, then shine it with the Method cleaner & paper towels.

 

[mom4graceandlogan]

ANother for Method Cleaner at Target. I have seen it at a few other places like Whole Foods. Actually got a refill bottle at WHole foods that was on sale and cheaper than Target but it is usually not. non toxic and smells great. SOme granite cleaners really smell awful.

 

[TaraPA]

I can now get the Method products at my local grocery store chain (Giant) - it's not exclusive to Target anymore. I agree - some other granite cleaners smell awful! I had also tried the Formula 409 Granite Cleaner & it left streaks. I noticed it's no longer on the shelf anymore where I shop, no idea why, but I wouldn't buy it anyway. We have 2 large & 2 small areas of granite in the kitchen plus the center island, and 3 baths with granite, so I need something that I can count on, and that smells good!

 

[camlace]

Suprised no one has mentioned it yet...but I use vinegar, diluted with water. Streak free and a nice shine.

 

[mousehouselover]

DH used to work in the stone industry and he reccomends using salt. Just salt and wipe it well. It will get up an bits of grime and other residue that will take the shine away. If there is a stain, he said to leave the salt on overnight.

 

[MKCP5]

DH used to work in the stone industry and he reccomends using salt. Just salt and wipe it well. It will get up an bits of grime and other residue that will take the shine away. If there is a stain, he said to leave the salt on overnight.

salt and ? Just sprinkle it on and wipe?

 

[MKCP5]

My granite always looks grimy. It never shines. I have used the thing from Target the simple green stuff, something that is supposed to polish it. nothing seems to work. It might not help that I have a 2 year old DS and he's just gross! I'd like to try the home made mixture. Any advice?

Was it ever sealed? Our granite place said you just wipe it down 2x a year with mineral oil

 

[NLK]

Yes I'm pretty sure it was sealed. It's a brand new house and it was there already when we bought the house. It looks beautiful wet but as soon as it dries it looks dull and greasy or grimy. And no matter what I clean with it just gets streaky. I'd also like to know if you use salt and water or salt with anything else, and is it table salt or sea salt?