How to clean Granite countertops. Daily care and what to do in case you do get a stain on the countertop. This is a series of tutorials that will be posted on this site and you tube. You can learn more by visiting www.fireplacecarolina.com

1. Fireplace and GraniteDistributors Inc. How do I care for my granite countertop once it’s installed?

2. How do I care for my granite countertop once it’s installed?

3. How do I care for my granite countertop once it’s installed? Choose an easy daily routine to clean granite. Warm/hot water and a soft cloth (microfiber works really well) should be sufficient for your countertops on a daily basis.

4. How do I care for my granite countertop once it’s installed? Choose an easy daily routine to clean granite. Warm/hot water and a soft cloth (microfiber works really well) should be sufficient for your countertops on a daily basis. To prevent water spots, always be sure to dry your countertops thoroughly with a fresh soft cloth.

5. How do I care for my granite countertop once it’s installed? Choose an easy daily routine to clean granite. Warm/hot water and a soft cloth (microfiber works really well) should be sufficient for your countertops on a daily basis. To prevent water spots, always be sure to dry your countertops thoroughly with a fresh soft cloth. For deeper granite cleaning, try not to go overboard. Ph-neutral dish soap like Seventh Generation works really well, as long as you make sure to rinse thoroughly and then dry. If you want something a little stronger, you can try Simple Green Stone Cleaner - it's natural and safe to use. Household products like hydrogen peroxide (on light granite only, to be safe), acetone (dark granite) or clear ammonia work, too, but be careful of ammonia - it can dull your granite over time.

6. How do I care for my granite countertop once it’s installed? Polish your granite from time to time to make it sparkle.

7. How do I care for my granite countertop once it’s installed? Polish your granite from time to time to make it sparkle. Want to know how to polish granite naturally? Try a chamois on a clean, damp surface - the cloth should buff your granite to a nice shine.

8. How do I care for my granite countertop once it’s installed? Polish your granite from time to time to make it sparkle. Want to know how to polish granite naturally? Try a chamois on a clean, damp surface - the cloth should buff your granite to a nice shine. If you'd like more shine, there are a lot of commercial granite polishers out there - but you can also make your own. Mix one part rubbing alcohol with three parts water and a few drops of ph-neutral dish soap. Apply this solution to your granite with a spray bottle, then wipe with a soft cloth. You can also make a polish with 1/4 cup baking soda to 3 cups water. Apply with a soft sponge, wipe up excess liquid and then buff with a chamois.

10. If you do find yourself with a stain on your granite, try a poultice. You can purchase a ready-made one, but it's easier and just as effective to make one yourself. Mix a fine powder - baking soda or whiting - with a liquid until you get a peanut butter-like consistency.

11. For oil-based stains, mix the powder with water or rubbing alcohol; for water-based ones, use hydrogen peroxide or acetone. Dampen the part of the granite that is stained and then spread the poultice over the stain. Leave until the mixture dries - usually a day or two - and then remove, rinse and wipe your granite dry.

13. If you do find yourself with a stain on your granite, try a poultice. You can purchase a ready-made one, but it's easier and just as effective to make one yourself. Mix a fine powder - baking soda or whiting - with a liquid until you get a peanut butter-like consistency.

14. For oil-based stains, mix the powder with water or rubbing alcohol; for water-based ones, use hydrogen peroxide or acetone. Dampen the part of the granite that is stained and then spread the poultice over the stain. Leave until the mixture dries - usually a day or two - and then remove, rinse and wipe your granite dry.

16. If you do find yourself with a stain on your granite, try a poultice. You can purchase a ready-made one, but it's easier and just as effective to make one yourself. Mix a fine powder - baking soda or whiting - with a liquid until you get a peanut butter-like consistency.

17. For oil-based stains, mix the powder with water or rubbing alcohol; for water-based ones, use hydrogen peroxide or acetone. Dampen the part of the granite that is stained and then spread the poultice over the stain. Leave until the mixture dries - usually a day or two - and then remove, rinse and wipe your granite dry.

20. Avoid using acidic materials. Avoid preparing food using acidic liquids or materials on your granite countertop. Acidic liquids like lemon juice, vinegar, or strong wine can leave unwanted color stains on your granite countertop especially if it is white or light colored. If you have to use acids during food preparation, wipe down your granite countertop quickly with mild soap and water.

22. Avoid spilling oil on your granite countertop. Oil is the one liquid that can stain granite countertops the most. Any type of cooking oil can seep between the microscopic granite pores and stain it from the inside out.

26. Avoid using acidic materials. Avoid preparing food using acidic liquids or materials on your granite countertop. Acidic liquids like lemon juice, vinegar, or strong wine can leave unwanted color stains on your granite countertop especially if it is white or light colored. If you have to use acids during food preparation, wipe down your granite countertop quickly with mild soap and water.

28. Avoid spilling oil on your granite countertop. Oil is the one liquid that can stain granite countertops the most. Any type of cooking oil can seep between the microscopic granite pores and stain it from the inside out.

32. Avoid using acidic materials. Avoid preparing food using acidic liquids or materials on your granite countertop. Acidic liquids like lemon juice, vinegar, or strong wine can leave unwanted color stains on your granite countertop especially if it is white or light colored. If you have to use acids during food preparation, wipe down your granite countertop quickly with mild soap and water.

34. Avoid spilling oil on your granite countertop. Oil is the one liquid that can stain granite countertops the most. Any type of cooking oil can seep between the microscopic granite pores and stain it from the inside out.

38. Avoid using acidic materials. Avoid preparing food using acidic liquids or materials on your granite countertop. Acidic liquids like lemon juice, vinegar, or strong wine can leave unwanted color stains on your granite countertop especially if it is white or light colored. If you have to use acids during food preparation, wipe down your granite countertop quickly with mild soap and water.

40. Avoid spilling oil on your granite countertop. Oil is the one liquid that can stain granite countertops the most. Any type of cooking oil can seep between the microscopic granite pores and stain it from the inside out.

43. What if I do get a stain on my granite countertop? Many stains can be removed from your granite countertops. You can purchase products designed to remove a variety of stains. It is important that you follow the directions exactly as they are written on the package. You can always contact us for questions about caring for your granite

44. What if I do get a stain on my granite countertop? Many stains can be removed from your granite countertops. You can purchase products designed to remove a variety of stains. It is important that you follow the directions exactly as they are written on the package. You can always contact us for questions about caring for your granite .

45. What if I do get a stain on my granite countertop? Many stains can be removed from your granite countertops. You can purchase products designed to remove a variety of stains. It is important that you follow the directions exactly as they are written on the package. You can always contact us for questions about caring for your granite

46. What if I do get a stain on my granite countertop? Many stains can be removed from your granite countertops. You can purchase products designed to remove a variety of stains. It is important that you follow the directions exactly as they are written on the package. You can always contact us for questions about caring for your granite www.fireplacecarolina.com

47. What if I do get a stain on my granite countertop? Many stains can be removed from your granite countertops. You can purchase products designed to remove a variety of stains. It is important that you follow the directions exactly as they are written on the package. You can always contact us for questions about caring for your granite www.fireplacecarolina.com Here is a home remedy you can try.

48. What if I do get a stain on my granite countertop? Things You'll Need Flour Wooden utensil Hydrogen peroxide Dishwashing liquids Ammonia Molding plaster Water Acetone Soft clean cloths Bleach Mild cleaners

50. Clean stone surfaces with a few drops of neutral stone soap cleaner.

51. (Available in hardware stores or from a stone dealer), or you can use a mild dishwashing liquid and warm water.

52. Use a soft, clean cloth to clean the granite. Rinse after washing with the soap solution and dry with a soft, clean cloth.

53. Remove a stain on granite, basing the method on the type of stain. Mix a cup of flour, 1-2 tablespoons of dishwashing liquid with water to make a thick paste. Put it on the stain, cover with plastic wrap, and let it sit overnight

54. .

55. Scrape away the mixture with a wooden utensil and rinse. If the stain is oil-based (e.g. grease, oil, milk), use hydrogen peroxide in the paste instead of dishwashing liquid - or try ammonia on it.

56. Try a mixture of 12 percent hydrogen peroxide mixed with a couple drops of ammonia for an organic stain (e.g. coffee, tea, or fruit).

58. Clean stone surfaces with a few drops of neutral stone soap cleaner.

59. (Available in hardware stores or from a stone dealer), or you can use a mild dishwashing liquid and warm water.

60. Use a soft, clean cloth to clean the granite. Rinse after washing with the soap solution and dry with a soft, clean cloth.

61. Remove a stain on granite, basing the method on the type of stain. Mix a cup of flour, 1-2 tablespoons of dishwashing liquid with water to make a thick paste. Put it on the stain, cover with plastic wrap, and let it sit overnight

62. .

63. Scrape away the mixture with a wooden utensil and rinse. If the stain is oil-based (e.g. grease, oil, milk), use hydrogen peroxide in the paste instead of dishwashing liquid - or try ammonia on it.

64. Try a mixture of 12 percent hydrogen peroxide mixed with a couple drops of ammonia for an organic stain (e.g. coffee, tea, or fruit).

66. Clean stone surfaces with a few drops of neutral stone soap cleaner.

67. (Available in hardware stores or from a stone dealer), or you can use a mild dishwashing liquid and warm water.

68. Use a soft, clean cloth to clean the granite. Rinse after washing with the soap solution and dry with a soft, clean cloth.

69. Remove a stain on granite, basing the method on the type of stain. Mix a cup of flour, 1-2 tablespoons of dishwashing liquid with water to make a thick paste. Put it on the stain, cover with plastic wrap, and let it sit overnight

70. .

71. Scrape away the mixture with a wooden utensil and rinse. If the stain is oil-based (e.g. grease, oil, milk), use hydrogen peroxide in the paste instead of dishwashing liquid - or try ammonia on it.

72. Try a mixture of 12 percent hydrogen peroxide mixed with a couple drops of ammonia for an organic stain (e.g. coffee, tea, or fruit).

74. Clean stone surfaces with a few drops of neutral stone soap cleaner.

75. (Available in hardware stores or from a stone dealer), or you can use a mild dishwashing liquid and warm water.

76. Use a soft, clean cloth to clean the granite. Rinse after washing with the soap solution and dry with a soft, clean cloth.

77. Remove a stain on granite, basing the method on the type of stain. Mix a cup of flour, 1-2 tablespoons of dishwashing liquid with water to make a thick paste. Put it on the stain, cover with plastic wrap, and let it sit overnight

78. .

79. Scrape away the mixture with a wooden utensil and rinse. If the stain is oil-based (e.g. grease, oil, milk), use hydrogen peroxide in the paste instead of dishwashing liquid - or try ammonia on it.

80. Try a mixture of 12 percent hydrogen peroxide mixed with a couple drops of ammonia for an organic stain (e.g. coffee, tea, or fruit).

82. Clean stone surfaces with a few drops of neutral stone soap cleaner.

83. (Available in hardware stores or from a stone dealer), or you can use a mild dishwashing liquid and warm water.

84. Use a soft, clean cloth to clean the granite. Rinse after washing with the soap solution and dry with a soft, clean cloth.

85. Remove a stain on granite, basing the method on the type of stain. Mix a cup of flour, 1-2 tablespoons of dishwashing liquid with water to make a thick paste. Put it on the stain, cover with plastic wrap, and let it sit overnight

86. .

87. Scrape away the mixture with a wooden utensil and rinse. If the stain is oil-based (e.g. grease, oil, milk), use hydrogen peroxide in the paste instead of dishwashing liquid - or try ammonia on it.

88. Try a mixture of 12 percent hydrogen peroxide mixed with a couple drops of ammonia for an organic stain (e.g. coffee, tea, or fruit).

90. Clean stone surfaces with a few drops of neutral stone soap cleaner.

91. (Available in hardware stores or from a stone dealer), or you can use a mild dishwashing liquid and warm water.

92. Use a soft, clean cloth to clean the granite. Rinse after washing with the soap solution and dry with a soft, clean cloth.

93. Remove a stain on granite, basing the method on the type of stain. Mix a cup of flour, 1-2 tablespoons of dishwashing liquid with water to make a thick paste. Put it on the stain, cover with plastic wrap, and let it sit overnight

94. .

95. Scrape away the mixture with a wooden utensil and rinse. If the stain is oil-based (e.g. grease, oil, milk), use hydrogen peroxide in the paste instead of dishwashing liquid - or try ammonia on it.

96. Try a mixture of 12 percent hydrogen peroxide mixed with a couple drops of ammonia for an organic stain (e.g. coffee, tea, or fruit).

98. Use a lacquer thinner or acetone to remove ink or marker stains from darker stone. On light-colored granite, use hydrogen peroxide to these stains. This also works for wine stains. Mix molding plaster and pure bleach into a paste and spread over a wine, ink or other non-oil stain. Leave on for 30 minutes, then remove and rinse. Paste a mix of molding plaster and water over an oil-based or fat-based stain. Mold it into a bird's-nest shape and allow to stand for 3 hours. Remove and rinse. Reseal the countertop every year or two years. Check with the installer for recommendations. Use a non-toxic sealer on food preparation areas. Consider using a new disinfectant cleaner made specifically for granite. Call your professional stone supplier, installer, or restoration specialist for problems that appear too difficult to treat. http://www.ehow.com/video_18200_clean-granite-countertop.html#ixzz1ZS1z2yhr

99. Use a lacquer thinner or acetone to remove ink or marker stains from darker stone. On light-colored granite, use hydrogen peroxide to these stains. This also works for wine stains. Mix molding plaster and pure bleach into a paste and spread over a wine, ink or other non-oil stain. Leave on for 30 minutes, then remove and rinse. Paste a mix of molding plaster and water over an oil-based or fat-based stain. Mold it into a bird's-nest shape and allow to stand for 3 hours. Remove and rinse. Reseal the countertop every year or two years. Check with the installer for recommendations. Use a non-toxic sealer on food preparation areas. Consider using a new disinfectant cleaner made specifically for granite. Call your professional stone supplier, installer, or restoration specialist for problems that appear too difficult to treat. http://www.ehow.com/video_18200_clean-granite-countertop.html#ixzz1ZS1z2yhr

100. Use a lacquer thinner or acetone to remove ink or marker stains from darker stone. On light-colored granite, use hydrogen peroxide to these stains. This also works for wine stains. Mix molding plaster and pure bleach into a paste and spread over a wine, ink or other non-oil stain. Leave on for 30 minutes, then remove and rinse. Paste a mix of molding plaster and water over an oil-based or fat-based stain. Mold it into a bird's-nest shape and allow to stand for 3 hours. Remove and rinse. Reseal the countertop every year or two years. Check with the installer for recommendations. Use a non-toxic sealer on food preparation areas. Consider using a new disinfectant cleaner made specifically for granite. Call your professional stone supplier, installer, or restoration specialist for problems that appear too difficult to treat. http://www.ehow.com/video_18200_clean-granite-countertop.html#ixzz1ZS1z2yhr

101. Use a lacquer thinner or acetone to remove ink or marker stains from darker stone. On light-colored granite, use hydrogen peroxide to these stains. This also works for wine stains. Mix molding plaster and pure bleach into a paste and spread over a wine, ink or other non-oil stain. Leave on for 30 minutes, then remove and rinse. Paste a mix of molding plaster and water over an oil-based or fat-based stain. Mold it into a bird's-nest shape and allow to stand for 3 hours. Remove and rinse. Reseal the countertop every year or two years. Check with the installer for recommendations. Use a non-toxic sealer on food preparation areas. Consider using a new disinfectant cleaner made specifically for granite. Call your professional stone supplier, installer, or restoration specialist for problems that appear too difficult to treat. http://www.ehow.com/video_18200_clean-granite-countertop.html#ixzz1ZS1z2yhr

102. Use a lacquer thinner or acetone to remove ink or marker stains from darker stone. On light-colored granite, use hydrogen peroxide to these stains. This also works for wine stains. Mix molding plaster and pure bleach into a paste and spread over a wine, ink or other non-oil stain. Leave on for 30 minutes, then remove and rinse. Paste a mix of molding plaster and water over an oil-based or fat-based stain. Mold it into a bird's-nest shape and allow to stand for 3 hours. Remove and rinse. Reseal the countertop every year or two years. Check with the installer for recommendations. Use a non-toxic sealer on food preparation areas. Consider using a new disinfectant cleaner made specifically for granite. Call your professional stone supplier, installer, or restoration specialist for problems that appear too difficult to treat. http://www.ehow.com/video_18200_clean-granite-countertop.html#ixzz1ZS1z2yhr

103. Fireplace and GraniteDistributors Inc. MORE TUTORIALS SOON Visit us at www.fireplacecarolina.com