How Do You Clean Food Particles on Granite Countertops?

There’s nothing like the beauty of natural-stone countertops, but granite is a porous stone that requires some special attention. Whether you’re dealing with a food stain on your counters or you want to ensure your countertop is clean and sanitized after food preparation, a few simple steps can keep your granite looking bright and beautiful for years to come. Don’t make the mistake of trying to clean up your granite counters with household chemicals. Here’s the right way to care for natural-stone and clean up particles, stains, and spills. 

Treat Food Stains

Granite counters can be stained easily, even when you’re cautious about wiping up spills right away. If you notice berry stains from a carton left on your counter or a few stray drops of liquid that weren’t wiped up, the stain can likely be lifted quickly and easily. The trick to removing food stains from granite is using the right product. Here’s a quick guide to removing food and cooking stains:

• Oil stains from vegetable and other cooking oils can be removed by mixing baking soda and pure acetone. Make a paste the consistency of pancake batter and apply to the stain. Allow to sit for 24 hours, then remove and rinse with water. Repeat treatment until necessary. After stain removal, reseal the counters with a specially formulated stone sealant.
• Organic stains from food, mildew, and plant runoff can be removed with liquid bleach, which is safe to use on natural stone as long as you rinse it every time and your granite is properly sealed and maintained. Place a white cloth towel or paper towel over the stain and soak with bleach or spray bleach directly onto the stain and scrub with a soft nylon brush. Allow to sit for 24 hours and rinse with water.

Wipe Up Spills Immediately

As soon as you notice a spill on your granite, wipe it up and clean the stone with warm water and a mild dish soap. Granite is a porous stone, which means liquids can eventually soak into the stone if allowed to sit for too long. Being vigilant can save you from treating stains the hard way. 

Clean the Granite Regularly

Don’t use any harsh or abrasive chemicals, sponges, or scrubbing agents on your granite counters. Household chemicals that contain vinegar and ammonia as well as acids can weaken and dull the professional finish and penetrate the stone, causing permanent damage. After food prep, you can clean your granite countertops easily by using a granite-safe cleaner like Granite Gold Daily Cleaner®. Be sure you clean your granite with a soft microfiber cloth, a washcloth, a nylon brush (for stubborn spots), or a safe-on-stone scrubbing pad. 

Disinfect the Countertops

Combination products that promise to clean and disinfect often leave streaks and can be harmful to natural stone. To disinfect your counters, mix a mild anti-bacterial dish soap with warm water and apply to the surface. To avoid or remove streaks, use Granite Gold Daily Cleaner®.

For additional tips on protecting and cleaning granite countertops, reach out to the Stone Care Experts at Granite Gold®. With a long history of stone care expertise that spans three generations, we’re happy to be your go-to source for high-quality cleaning, sealing, and polishing products. Give us a call today at 1-800-475-STONE to learn more.