I'm in deep-clean mode right now, which led me to peruse the aisle of cleaning products at the store. I found a cute little bottle of granite cleaner and was shocked when I looked at the price: $5.99. Seriously? Six dollars for one small bottle of cleaner?
As I mulled this over, I realized what has happened. Many of us have bought new houses with granite countertops or remodeled kitchens and installed granite countertops, so we're acutely aware that granite countertops are expensive. That is true. But we've gotten a little mixed up and assumed that, because they're expensive, they are also precious. And that is not true.
Granite countertops are not precious. They do not have to be treated with kid gloves. After all, granite is the substance from which many tombstones are made. Ever visited an old cemetery? If so, you've likely seen pieces of granite which have been exposed to all the forces of nature for hundreds of years, yet you can still see the intricate carvings on the surface.
If granite can withstand all the forces of nature, I think it can withstand less-than-kid-glove cleaning techniques in our homes.
Want to make your granite countertops sparkle? That's easy.
- First, what NOT to do: don't chop food directly on the granite. Granite is sturdy but it certainly can chip. And hard stone is bad for your knives. Use a cutting board.
- When you're ready to clean your counters, wipe counters off with a damp cloth. I use my dishcloth and soapy dishwater for this. Any cloth will work, but microfiber cloths work particularly well for leaving fewer streaks.
- For guaranteed sparkle and shine, lightly spray the counters with furniture spray, then wipe with a clean cloth. I like lemon Pledge, the brand I've now used in my home for nearly 28 years. Be sure to wipe the counters completely. (Note: Some people have asked if Pledge is food-safe. My thought is that no cleaner is really food-safe, so I dry my countertops completely.)
Do you have any specialty cleaning tips? I'd love to hear them!
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