Unlike stovetops, exposing granite to acidic chemicals damages countertop. Minerals that makes up granite is porous, it may not be as impenetrable as stainless steel but granite is very easy to clean and maintain. Putting a seal on top of granite countertop keeps it shiny and eliminates bacteria from seeping into its surface. Maintaining a granite countertop can be easy with these 3 steps:
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Get a paper towel or dish cloth with water and wipe down the countertop. You can use gentle dish soap as well.
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Once your counter is wiped, use a microfiber cloth to dry it and prevent streaks
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To shine and disinfect the counter, make a 50:50 solution of water and isopropyl alcohol and allow the solution to sit for 3-5 minutes. You will dry the surface again with a microfiber cloth.
Using harsh cleaners such as lemon juice, bleach or vinegar will damage the granite stone by breaking its seal. If the sealant wears off, the countertop will be susceptible to staining and discolouration. Another tip is not to use abrasive cleaners or heavy-duty scrubs because it will be too harsh and break the sealed granite. Overall, maintaining your granite countertop is easy and you can save money by not having to re-seal the surface as often.
References:
How Sanitary are Granite Countertops?. (2017). Retrieved from https://granitegold.com/blogs/blog/are-granite-counters-sanitary
This Easy Homemade Cleaner Makes Granite Countertops Sparkle. (2017).Retrieved from https://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/homemade-granite-cleaner/
Bold, Cambria. (2014). Retrieved by https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-clean-and-disinfect-granite-countertops-cleaning-lessons-from-the-kitchn-202159
