What is the best thing to clean granite countertops?

[drakethib]

I was told not to use windex??

 

[WiscMomof2]

I'm curious what other people use as well. Our installer gave us a stone cleaner/polisher and this has been working fine but I wonder what my other options are

 

[Belle5]

We use hot water in a spray bottle then wipe it down. Once a week or so I use the granite cleaner.

 

[Psychodisney]

My granite installers told me soap and water. My DSister uses Daily Granite from Method(at Target) and she says it does a good job.

 

[The Moonk's Mom]

I use soap and water then I use something that I get at Lowe's and I think it is called Granite Doctor to polish and condition it. Great shine.

 

[bdcp]

Okay, who told you not to use Windex and why? That's pretty much all I've used and my granite is 4 years old and still looks great. I was told by many people to use Windex and those that told me that have used it for years with no problem.

 

[TaraPA]

Windex & most household cleaners will leave streak on Granite, or leave it dull. I love the granite cleaner they gave me when they installed it but it has an odor to it that we can't stand. I just tried the new 409 for natural stone cleaner - and it works GREAT! No streaks at all. Better yet on sale for $1.99. The stuff I got from the granite company is $18.

 

[MM27]

you can use windex as long as it doesn't have lemon in it.

 

[bdcp]

After I posted, I did a search online and found many opinions on using Windex. Everyone who said they were told to use soap and water, had major issues with dullness, streaking and soap film. Many people use Windex, among other cleaners and the consensus seems to be if the granite is sealed properly, Windex will not harm it or dull the finish. Windex doesn't streak, nor does it leave any film or residue to dull the look. I'm sticking with my Windex. My granite is still shiny as I posted above after 4+years.

 

[Nik's Mom]

We close escrow next week on a house with granite counters. I've never had granite before. How often and with what are we supposed to seal them?
Thanks!
Sherri

 

[bdcp]

We close escrow next week on a house with granite counters. I've never had granite before. How often and with what are we supposed to seal them?
Thanks!
Sherri

They should already be sealed. Properly sealed granite should never need resealing.

 

[Nik's Mom]

Thanks. Good to know.

 

[disney1990]

We were looking at granite just today. They told us that they seal it when once and that we should seal it once a year for the next 3 years.

I work for a homebuilder and the granite company is the one that the home builder uses and has a very good reputation.

 

[RunningthruDisney]

For everyday quick wipe ups i was told to use glass plus no windex five years and no problem

 

[Tinkerbelle32]

Not to be negative here, but granite does need resealing. Every six months you should seal your countertops with a simple wipe on sealer, bought from Lowe's, etc. It's not a big deal. Wipe on and rub in. Actually, it's time for me to do mine! I also use Methods Daily Granite. It leaves a great shine and smells good too. Before that, I used Glass Plus for granite and stone. No issues with that either.

 

[drakethib]

Okay, who told you not to use Windex and why? That's pretty much all I've used and my granite is 4 years old and still looks great. I was told by many people to use Windex and those that told me that have used it for years with no problem.

My home builder told me not to use it for some reason or another.

Never understood why but we never had granite before.

Heck a rock is a rock, I wouldn't think it would hurt it but what do I know?

 

[TDISFAMILY]

My husbands family owns there own countertop company for over 50 yrs and they sell granite. My husband actually install granite countertops daily and what he was taught in training is that WINDEX is what they recomend to clean your tops with. As far a sealing your granite depending on were the granite comes from you shouldn't have to reaseal it for 5-15 yrs. Then you just go to Lowes or Home Depot and buy the resealer there, and depending on what one you buy detemines how often you need to reseal it from then on. If you do wait to long to reseal the granite that is when stuff can seep into the pours and stain it. If that happens they sell something that lifts all the stains out, then you have to reseal it again.

 

[tinytink]

I am in love with the microfiber towels from Pampered Chef and Costco. Costco has about 25 cloths for $10, I just wet the cloth down with water and once a week or more depending on how much I mess my granite counter I wipe with clorox or lysol wipes let it dry then wipe with a clean water dampened microfiber cloth over the counter and this picks up the streaks and leave it clean and disinfected. These towels are great to get the grease&food splatters off the cooktop area. I actually sold my mom on it when I showed her how easy it is to use and now she has these cloths everywhere from the bathroom to pick up the water spots to her car to get the wipe down the dashboard or catch a spill. You should really give it a try and good luck with your search. These cloths clean and dry streak/dust free!

 

[MickeyBA]

I was told not to use windex. The guy said it doesn't damage them or anything, it just removes the seal which leaves them at risk for stains. I was told to seal them every 6 months. Mine are due too. I've noticed when they get wet and I don't wipe it up right away that there is a dark spot till it dries. My Dad, who has installed them for years as a cabinet maker, said that is a sign they need to be resealed.

 

[KristinU]

We just started using Pledge multi surface cleaner about a month ago and love, love, love it. The beauty is that I can clean off the wood dining table and the counter and the glass rooftop and microwave and oven fronts and the stainless fridge with one bottle instead of a bunch of different ones. DH and I are both enamored!