Ladies…. Here’s is a question I get a lot when I’m out speaking, “How do you clean granite counter tops?

1 Wipe up fresh spills immediately with paper towels. Granite is porous in nature and absorbs stains left unattended.

2 Wet a sponge with water and add one drop dishwashing detergent to the wet sponge. Squeeze out excess moisture before wiping off the granite countertop. Dampen a clean cloth with water and rinse the counter by wiping it off with the cloth; dry the surface immediately with another cloth.

3 Remove surface stain buildup once every week or two with a solution made with 1/2 cup ammonia and 1 gallon warm water. Wash off the granite to remove food and grease stains then rinse with water and dry with a clean cloth. While you don’t want to use ammonia for daily countertop cleaning, it’s safe and effective to use once or twice per month for a deeper cleaning.

4 Tackle stains that have been absorbed into the granite with a poultice made of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. Mix one part hydrogen peroxide with two parts baking soda to make a thick paste. Spread the paste over the stained area with a rubber spatula and allow it to dry completely; as the poultice dries, it draws the stain out of the stone.

5 Scrape the dried poultice from the countertop with the rubber spatula. Wipe the area with a damp sponge and dry immediately.

Tips & Warnings
Wring out sponges and cloths so they contain the least amount of moisture possible for cleaning granite. Dry the countertop as soon as you’re finished rinsing it. Moisture absorbed into the stone can cause damage.
Purchase neutral soaps made specifically for granite at a local hardware store or store that specializes in natural stone countertops and tiles.