How to Deal with Granite in Your Office

Cleaning granite in your offices

Granites are durable and are not susceptible to scratches, unlike other materials. It is one of the natural products that have a rich beauty and timeless aura and appeal. It makes a common countertop to a high-quality and visually appealing countertop which often becomes the centerpiece of a room. 

Without a doubt, granite could be an appealing addition to the interior of the workplace. The only thing you need to be wary of is the maintenance and cleaning. Though a durable material, granite has few weaknesses. It is important to know these weaknesses to avoid having damaged and dull-looking granite. 

Here in this article, we will discuss the things you need to know about granite and what materials to avoid when cleaning it. 

Three Things to Know About Cleaning Granite

Granites are a beaut. It is important to know a few things about cleaning granite to avoid dulling its appearance and damaging its surface. 

Granite Countertops Should Be Sealed

Granite has a hard surface and is less porous than other materials. But even though it is an incredibly durable material, it is not completely impervious to damages. Granites are still prone to stains, etching, and impact damage. 

Granite is very resistant to stains, but having unsealed or weakly sealed granite will soak up oils, spills, and stains which could lead to damage. Any liquids, especially oils and wine, that could sip inside the granite could leave stains, thus showing the importance of having well-sealed granite countertops.  

To check if your granite is sealed, leave a few drops of liquid on the surface. After a few minutes, check if the water beads up or has soaked into the granite. Once you see that the water is soaked, it’s time to reseal the stone. 

Avoid the Use of Harsh or Abrasive Cleaners and Sponges

Etching is a dulling of the surface of the granite. It is a chemical reaction, that may seem like a stain, that occurs when granite is exposed to harsh or abrasive cleaners such as acidic cleaners – vinegar, lemon, lime, or ammonia. Frequent use of these chemicals will break down the sealant as well as leave etchings to your granite. 

It is Best to Use a Gentle Cloth

The best way to clean granite is to simply use warm water, gentle dish soap, and microfiber cloth. These simple household cleaning products would keep your granite clean. Another way is to wipe spills right away, especially if they are acidic in nature. 

Using gentle cloth to clean granite

Top 7 Cleaners You Need To Avoid When Cleaning Granite

Cleaning granite is not as easy as cleaning common countertops. There are a lot of available cleaning materials in the market, but most are too harsh for use on granite. Granite should get the proper care, thus you need to know what products and materials you need to avoid.

The materials on this are not PH neutral. These could harm the granite in some way. This includes products that contain anything acidic or alkaline such as lemon, citric acid, vinegar, or bleach. 

Windex

Windex contains ingredients that will not only dull the shine of granite but also cause pitting. Windex contains harsh chemicals that can strip off the sealer off the granite countertops, leaving the granite vulnerable to staining and other damage. 

Bleach

Bleach is a great disinfectant, but it can be extremely harsh on granite sealers. Bleach can degrade the sealant of your countertops, and since granite is porous it will also dull its shine, leave stains, or, in some cases change its color. Check for other safer ways to disinfect your granite and avoid using bleach or any products with bleach when cleaning your granite. 

Lysol Lemon All-Purpose Cleaner

Lysol contains both ammonia and lemon, making it a bad option for cleaning granite countertops. Lemons contain acid that could break down the sealant used in granite countertops. Also, ammonia can leave a scratch on the surface of the granite and may even start eating away with it. 

Clorox All-Purpose Cleaner with Bleach

This all-purpose cleaner is not recommended for use on granite countertops. It contains bleach which may cause damage to granite countertops and fragrances that could cause the sealants on your countertop to wear. 

Disinfectant Wipes

Disinfectant wipes may be convenient to use for cleaning, but it is not a good cleaning material option for granites. Using disinfectant wipes to wipe the surface of your granite could lead to problems. The acid in these wipes is notoriously bad for the sealants used on granite countertops. 

Pledge Multi-Surface Cleaner

Pledge has a lemon scent which can cause a big problem for granite countertops. The citric acid included in this cleaner could cause damage to the sealer of the granite countertops, which could lead to opening the granite to spills. 

Windex Multi-Surface with Vinegar

This cleaner contains vinegar. Vinegar is acidic in nature which could lead to dulling and etching of granite once used. Using vinegar to clean granite countertops is likely to do more damage than good. In addition, Windex cleaners are generally not safe for granite countertops as it contains harmful substances that will cause damage to your granite. 

Disinfecting Granite Countertops

Bleach, lemon, and vinegar are commonly used to disinfect different surfaces and office appliances like the office kettle. But, these materials cause more damage than good to a granite countertop. So, what should you use to disinfect a granite countertop? Simply use hot water and dishwashing liquid. 

A well-sealed granite countertop is almost resistant to bacteria. Using simple materials such as water and dish soap would be enough for daily cleaning and sanitizing. However, if you are not content with that, and want to use a disinfectant, use 70% isopropyl alcohol. Spray it on your granite and let it sit for a few minutes. Rinse it with water and dry the surface with a clean microfiber cloth. 

Takeaways

Cleaning granite is not as easy as it seems. There are many different cleaning materials to clean the office kitchen or available in the market. But not all these materials are good for your granite. Not knowing which one is good for your granite may do more damage than cleaning. 

If it seems you are in need of cleaning services in Litchfield County, Connecticut, you may contact us. We have trained professionals who could guarantee great cleaning services for you.