It may (thankfully) already be a memory, but the Covid-19 pandemic has made everyone more conscious of hygiene, not least in the kitchen. Yet, viral diseases aside, keeping kitchen worktops in a condition so pristine that they’re clean enough to eat off is never a bad idea.
Granite countertops typically come sealed. But that doesn’t make them entirely impenetrable to bacteria, particularly in kitchen areas. The good news is that killing germs on this natural stone isn’t especially difficult. But you do need to use some particular methods to disinfect this surface.
What will I need?
Unless it’s heavily diluted, it’s really not a good idea to use bleach to disinfect your granite countertops. (If you insist on going down this route, dilute heavily and rinse off immediately. But you still risk discolouring the stone.)
Instead, a better idea could be to put a 50/50 solution of water and isopropyl alcohol in a spray bottle. Once you have applied this to the worktop, let it stand for a few minutes. And then rinse the surface with water before allowing it to dry.
Finally, buff up with a towel or microfibre cloth so that you don’t damage the finish of your natural stone. That way, your counters stay shiny after cleaning.
How to get the perfect polish
While granite countertops can retain their shine for years if you look after them properly, abrasive products can damage them permanently. So avoid sponges, scouring pads and cleaners which have strong chemicals added to them. They will harm you worktops – and, anyway, you don’t need to use them.
Instead, you’ll find a good range of granite-friendly polishers and cleansers which won’t damage countertops. So you will be far better off with one of these so that you don’t ruin the finish.
The two main types of product are polishing powders and creams. Choose something that will suit the colour of your stone. Once you have polished the whole surface, rinse thoroughly and dry before you reseal the surface.
Talk to Royal Stone Care
If all that sounds too complicated, we can’t say we blame you. And it’s often worth talking to a professional instead. Royal Stone Care covers homes and businesses, and our services encompass the full range of professional granite cleaning, repair and maintenance in London.
Get in touch today to learn how we could bring out the true beauty of your natural stone, and for an initial quote, free of charge or obligation.
