Do you know how to care for your granite and natural stone countertops? We have partnered with Granite Gold® to share their three step process for proper care and maintenance of stone surfaces…
Granite counters are everywhere these days and both Susan and I have them in our kitchens.
I love the look and durability of the natural stone, but I am always concerned about how I should care for my granite. Can I use regular cleaning products? How do I ensure it is well sealed and protected? And how can I keep it polished and shiny?
Some of the folks at Granite Gold read a couple of our posts about household and kitchen cleaning tips and wrote to see if we would be interested in trying out their natural stone cleaners.
Since both Susan and I have granite in our homes, we were happy to learn more about their products and try them ourselves.
What Should I Use to Clean My Stone?
Granite Gold co-founders, Lenny Sciarrino and Lenny Pellegrino, are cousins who grew up in the family business of manufacturing, installing and restoring stone surfaces in homes and businesses throughout Southern California.
Their families’ history of stone care expertise spans three generations and is the foundation of their company and their desire to help their clients answer the common question, “What should I use to clean my stone?â€
Because common household cleaners can pose dangers to natural stone, the cousins created a formula of granite cleaners that were safe for their clients to use.
In 2003, they founded Granite Gold and after starting with local distribution in the San Diego area, the company quickly grew and now Granite Gold stone care products are available in grocery, hardware, mass merchant and specialty store channels throughout the U.S. and internationally.
The products are non-toxic, non-acidic, biodegradable, contain no phosphates or ammonia, and are safe on food-prep surfaces.
The Three Step Process to Care for Natural Stone
Granite Gold has a three step process for cleaning, protecting, and preserving your stone surfaces…
Step 1 – CLEAN
Clean your granite and stone surfaces often. Even tiny particles could possibly damage your natural stone. But it is crucial to avoid common cleaners and abrasives that can break down the protective seal and damage your stone.
Use a cleaner that is specially formulated for natural stone, such as Granite Gold Daily Cleaner.
Step 2 – SEAL
You should seal your granite frequently and you don’t need to worry about over-sealing. Frequently sealing your granite countertops and natural stone surfaces maintains maximum surface protection and provides long-lasting resistance to staining, etching and soil build-up.
Sealing with Granite Gold Sealer is fast and easy. Simply spray on to stone surface in three foot sections, wipe with a lint free cloth and buff dry.
Step 3 – POLISH
After sealing, wait for 24 hours for the sealer to cure before using Granite Gold Polish.
Polishing your stone regularly brings out the stone’s natural beauty and reinforces the protective seal to provide ongoing protection against water spots and fingerprints. Polishing shower walls and tub surrounds will also help prevent soap scum build-up. But, don’t polish stone floors unless you want to go skating in your socks!
How Do You Know if Your Granite is Sealed?
If you ever notice water marks or rings on your granite countertops, your granite needs to be resealed.
You can regularly check if your granite is sealed by simply pouring water (about 3 inches in diameter) on the surface in several locations and letting it sit for 30 minutes.
If the water beads, then the stone remains sealed. If a dark mark or ring appears, the water is penetrating the stone and it’s time to reseal.
Remember to check for etching and stains and fix these problems before sealing your stone surfaces.
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Disclosure: This post is sponsored so extra thanks for reading and sharing.
Written by Janice Croze, co-founder of 5 Minutes for Mom
Talk with me: @5minutesformom and Facebook.com/5minutesformom
Pin with me at pinterest.com/5minutesformom
I haven’t tried the Granite Gold products. Most of the time, just cleaned it with a home made cleaner consisting alcohol and dishsoap. Looks like sealing can make the granite stone last longer.
I have granite countertops in my kitchen. I’m afraid I haven’t been good about sealing them on a regular basis. I usually just use water to wipe them off. I would love to try Granite Gold!
My friend has granite counters and would like to try Granite Gold.
I do have granite counter tops, and I use Weigman’s Granite Wipes to clean my counters. I’m definitely up for trying something new!
We do have granite countertops that I love. I clean them with just a damp cloth and a little soap. The granite gold products sound great and I would love to try them.
wow
Renovating and adding granite countertops, this would come in very handy. THANK YOU!
My parents have granite counters. I don’t know what she uses. I just thought I would enter this for her. Thanks.
Wow , that will probably work a lot better than the stuff I get from Walmart
I live with my parents and they have granite!
It’s hard to clean granite countertop. I can’t see a dirt. But I can try this tip to clean countertop.
Boy, do I NEED HELP!!! We bought a house with granite counters about a year ago and have been thinking I hated them because they’re always sticky and get dark marks from water or wet dishes left on them. I’ve been wondering what caused that. I’ve used different granite cleaners but now know they need sealing.
We need to take some time to seal our granite counters
we are in the process of renovating our kitchen and adding granite countertops. I would love to win these products to keep them in great shape.
we have granite counters. I generally use just soap and water.
This looks something I would like to try, thanks
We have granite and I honestly just wipe it with water, but I’ve been noticing the dark spots lately…sounds like this would be a great product to try!
We are going to renovate our kitchen and I will be getting granite countertops. I’d love to try Granite Gold products.
I have granite in my kitchen but haven’t been doing any special cleaning. Granite Gold sounds perfect.
My aunt does! I cook there enough to help!
We do have stone countertops and I love them! I usually just use dish soap and water to clean them.
We have granite countertops and we so need to try this product on them we have been using the wrong stuff I think.
We do have granite counter tops in the kitchen and have just been using soap and water. I would love to try this on my granite!
We are renovating the kitchen in Sept. and then we will have granite counters. Now we have laminate:(
I do have granite counters and would like to try these products on them.
I don’t but my grandma does and i go over at least once a week to help around the house
We don’t have anything to clean our granite counters. I wish we had this though! Thanks for the great article 🙂
Last summer we bought a house with granite counters – something I have never had before. We use this stuff we bought at the local cabinetry shop, called lustro Italiano, and it is hideously expensive and the sealant smells so bad that although you’re supposed to (according to the label) re-seal every couple weeks, I’ve done it only once because it smells up the whole house like permanent marker or spray paint fumes. So yes, I would like to try this particular product 😉
we don’t right now, but we are moving and we will. this sounds like something we should invest in now.
I have Granite countertops and they sometimes look dull so I would LOVE to try your Granite Gold product.
No, we don’t have granite countertops in our house. If we did, we would use the cleaners to clean them.
Yes I have granite counter tops. I use a cleaner that the installer recommended but would love to try the Granite Gold.
I’d love to give this a try on the marble in my bathroom.
My son has granite counter tops and he would like to take good care of them. I think these products would help him do that.
I don’t have granite counter tops, but my daughter does, and doesn’t use anything special for them.
Yes, I do have granite counter tops. I presently use soap and water and Method granite cleaner. Yes, I would love to try this product.
I’d love to try the Granite Gold. I use a non-toxic natural cleaner that works but the Granite Gold would probably work better.
We just use kitchen soap and water would love to try these products on them
Would love to try all 3 of these products because what I am doing is not working !
Yes I have granite counter tops. I just use soap and water.. Sometimes I use windex.
Yes, I have granite countertops. Would love to try these products.
I have granite and use dish soap and water. They definitely need resealed
I got granite counter tops 2 yrs ago. I have noticed some discoloration in a few areas. They were originally protected at the time of the install but nothing since.
We just got granite counters (new house!) and so far I have only cleaned them with soapy water and a rag. I have been looking into granite cleaners and these sound great! I would LOVE to try them
I have granite and travertine in my ensue and I’d love to try the products
I have granite counter throughout my kitchen but only use a wet cloth. Would love to try this.
I do not have granite countertops in my kitchen, but we do have granite on the bar. We presently just wipe it down with a damp cloth. I would love to use this product.
My granite was just installed on Tuesday. So far just soap and water, but I”d love to try!
Try using a microfiber cloth and just water. That will do the job
without soap build-up
We use Mrs. Meyers MULTI-SURFACE EVERYDAY CLEANER
Yes, we have granite countertops in the kitchen and bathrooms. I was using Simple Green for cleaning but really need to do the sealing and polishing parts.
I’ve had granite countertops for 12 years–and no one ever told me I needed to seal them!! 😲 I definitely need to try Granite Gold!!
I do have granite countertops, but just use soap and water. I would love to try Granite Gold!