Granite countertop cleaning question.

[grpubboss]

We just remodelled and put granite countertops all around,but we are having problems keeping them clean,ie sticky film,finger marks etc.We clean with warm soapy water, currently and have tried using windex,but we are still having problems!.We also use a granite polish twice a week and give it a buff.
Anyone have any solutions we could try,as it is more work than anticipated!!

[rkerdza]

Next time you polish, try using a granite SEALER afterward. You should be able to get it at Home Depot or Lowe's. Just make sure you follow the directions.

[grpubboss]

l sealed it soon after install as per recommendations!!!Are you suggesting doing it one more time?

[bruce]

try cleaning with windex???

[casabar]

There is nothing that I know of that you can do to prevent the problem you are having. It is the nature of the stone and as durable as it is, it requires constant attention.

The fabricator that installed the granite should have left you directions on the upkeep. Most granite is now sent out of the shop resinated ( protective coating ). A sealer only prevents staining and other common problems associated with stone. Even though granite is not as porous as other stones it can stain, especially with red wines.

Now I am not a granite or stone expert so it would be best to consult one and/or one of the companies out there that manufacture the latest maintenance products for granite/marble. However, I have had granite counter tops and currently installed a porcelin inlay style. Guess what? I have the same problems and I do the same as you.

1. First wash with warm soapy water and dry
2. Second glass cleaner and a paper towel

Looks great at the start of the night only and the bartenders have to constantly keep on top of it to keep it looking clean.

Best thing about granite aside from its durability and beauty is that it can be re-polished periodically to keep it looking brand spanking new.

If i recall there is a granite fabricator somewhere off exit 17. Ha Ha Just a joisey joke.

There are some great products out there so if you try one out let us know.

Bessos

[rkerdza]

Like casabar said, it requires constant upkeep. You should be resealing the top of it every 6 months, I believe. As far as trying to keep it clean everyday, try to use low-lint towels. My major problem doesn't seem to be with spills & mess, rather with dust & crumbs. I sometimes use a clean kitchen apron at the beginning or end of the night to clean the bar because they have zero lint.

[soundtechs]

Hi there,
Here are a few tips on cleaning your granite. Don't ever use Windex it will eat the polish away. When cleaning your top use warm water but only use a few drops of Ivory liquid. Never use lots of soapy water because it will film up like crazy. You only have to apply sealer every six months and you should do a 2 foot section at a time. Apply then wait a moment then wipe. If your looking for a daily cleaner try this product called stonetech. This cleaner has a nice citrus scent and also applies a natural seal as well. If you wish to polish the top use the pledge polish in the orange can it was made for granite. If you need more info you can call me at 859-433-7479 eastern time. I own a granite company and my name is Willis!!!

[grpubboss]

thanks willis,l will try these products!!

[Visual Magic]

I'm taking another shot at this. I tried to toss in some info the other other day but the phone rang and I timed out and it all went down the drain. I do that a lot in forums.

Anyway, the orange citrus cleaner mentioned before is what you want to use as a cleaner. Nothing with ammonia like windex or other spray cleaners (fantastic, 401, etc)

Fantastic does make a citrus cleaner though. There are several different brands out there. Pick one and get a case from Sam's.

But here's the big secret that nobody tells you about. You know how they tell you to put the polish on the granite surface just like you're waxing your car? That's because it basically is car wax. It's almost exactly the same stuff but costs ten times as much.

So...
You can use car wax. One of the club chains I work with has granite and corian tops and every few weeks they wax 'em down just like a car. You can use any carnauba based paste type car wax. Meguiar's is a good one or you can use your regular ol' turtle wax. Don't use the liquid, use the paste type in a can.

Then, what is spilled on the bar beads up just like rain on your car hood. Just use a lightly wet a sponge and rub it on the bar just like a car hood. Once it dries to a haze you buff it off with a drill and a buffer pad just like a car hood. Use the orange citrus cleaner to wipe it down and problem solved.

If this sounds nuts just try it on a couple of feet at one end of the bar and you'll see what I mean. It works.

[grpubboss]

I'm taking another shot at this. I tried to toss in some info the other other day but the phone rang and I timed out and it all went down the drain. I do that a lot in forums.

Anyway, the orange citrus cleaner mentioned before is what you want to use as a cleaner. Nothing with ammonia like windex or other spray cleaners (fantastic, 401, etc)

Fantastic does make a citrus cleaner though. There are several different brands out there. Pick one and get a case from Sam's.

But here's the big secret that nobody tells you about. You know how they tell you to put the polish on the granite surface just like you're waxing your car? That's because it basically is car wax. It's almost exactly the same stuff but costs ten times as much.

So...
You can use car wax. One of the club chains I work with has granite and corian tops and every few weeks they wax 'em down just like a car. You can use any carnauba based paste type car wax. Meguiar's is a good one or you can use your regular ol' turtle wax. Don't use the liquid, use the paste type in a can.

Then, what is spilled on the bar beads up just like rain on your car hood. Just use a lightly wet a sponge and rub it on the bar just like a car hood. Once it dries to a haze you buff it off with a drill and a buffer pad just like a car hood. Use the orange citrus cleaner to wipe it down and problem solved.

If this sounds nuts just try it on a couple of feet at one end of the bar and you'll see what I mean. It works.

Thanks,l will give both ways a try,l tried a spray polish (not pledge) today just to give it a try,it made the granite very smooth, and it would not make finger marks when touched,so l was happy about that,but it did not clean an existing dirty area!! l guess l should do the first stage of warm soapy water first!!
l will try also your car wax method,but how often are you applying the wax,on a busy bar??And do you use only the citrus cleaner,and not bar rags or warm water?

[David]

It's funny that you mentioned Car Wax. I use car wax on just about everything that I want to protect from the elements. If it works for cars, it should work for other things too, right!

When I built my house, I installed Marvin Windows. The exterior of the windows are aluminum coated with white vinyl and the interior is oak veneer. After about a year, the white aluminum started to get chalky. I washed them and removed the surface chalk. Then I waxed them. It made all of the difference in the world. That was ten years ago and they are still looking great.

In your case, I'd try a wax that dries clear and not that milky white type.

Let us know what works for you.

[soundtechs]

Trust me when I tell you this, Take it from an owner of a granite company that car wax does not belong on any granite surface. The sealer is a water-based liquid that requires no buff or elbow grease. The water solution with the Ivory liquid will cost you about $3.50 for about 3 months. The can of pledge only has a citrus scent. It is not a citrus cleaner. It sounds like you didn't wipe down an area quick enough so you might need an impregnator to lift that stain out. The black granite will show lots of water stains that's why we recommend the pledge polish. This is about another $3.99 in the local supermarkets. If you continue to use these whacked out products you will ruin the natural beauty of the stone. We make repairs on counter tops about 7 times a week and we charge about $200 for a service call so don't get caught up on these whacked out products!!!

[Visual Magic]

Trust me when I tell you this, Take it from an owner of a granite company that car wax does not belong on any granite surface. The sealer is a water-based liquid that requires no buff or elbow grease. The water solution with the Ivory liquid will cost you about $3.50 for about 3 months. The can of pledge only has a citrus scent. It is not a citrus cleaner. It sounds like you didn't wipe down an area quick enough so you might need an impregnator to lift that stain out. The black granite will show lots of water stains that's why we recommend the pledge polish. This is about another $3.99 in the local supermarkets. If you continue to use these whacked out products you will ruin the natural beauty of the stone. We make repairs on counter tops about 7 times a week and we charge about $200 for a service call so don't get caught up on these whacked out products!!!

OK. I'm not gonna thump you in the nose too hard on this but I've seen this done on a granite counter top in a club that's been open for 12 years. Two bars are granite and the other two are corian. Same result.

Just sayin'.

It is a bit odd that you say "car wax does not belong on any granite surface" and then recommend a product called Pledge. Sometimes called Lemon Pledge. (Citrus anyone?) Something most people would call furniture wax. A product made by a company called Johnson Wax.

Uh....OK.

Now if it was me, I'd shoot a thick coat of Pelucid over the top of it and be done forever. That requires spray equipment and and air compressors and all.
But that's just me.

Seeing as how google is our friend, We find:

*****
A less expensive alternative, however, is car wax (in a can not the liquid spray wax). Car wax contains virtually the same type of sealant as the specialty granite seals, and will do the same job if used according to the directions. In fact, some sealers are just relabeled car wax.
http://www.elegantcab.com/keeping-granite-countertops-clean/
*****

Wow. I said almost exactly the same thing and didn't even have to look it up.

******

Dulled or lightly scratched areas can be restored by using automotive rubbing compound and wax. Some fabricators recommend giving the entire surface area a coat of an automotive type paste wax from time to time to help maintain appearance.
http://www.keidel.com/design/select/tops-matl-granite.htm

*******

I didn't even look that part up either before I posted a reply. I was just passing on info of what I'd seen personally that was done successfully.

Just sayin'.

I make no claim to be any sort of a granite expert whatsoever. That's your area. Just merely observing what was working for someone else with a wee bit of interest. Nothing "whacked out" about it and it would appear that I have lots of company in agreement.

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