Installing granite countertops is a great way to increase the aesthetic appeal and value of your home. From the kitchen to the bathrooms to the bar, granite instantly improves a room’s appeal.
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Of course, if you’re going to invest in installing said countertops, you need to be prepared for cleaning granite countertops.
A quick Google search for “granite countertop cleaners” returns more than 140,000 results in less than 0.30 seconds. Some are chemical cleaning products made by manufacturers you’ve heard of. Others are obscure products that might do more harm than good.
So how’s a homeowner to know which solution is best for the environment and for cleaning granite countertops? Why, they should make their own cleaner, of course.
The first rule of cleaning granite countertops is to do no harm, and if you make your own cleaner you can be sure that your countertops won’t end up scratched or stained. You can also be sure that what you are using won’t get into the waste-water system and do damage to streams, rivers, lakes and wildlife.
Here’s a safe and environmentally friendly recipe for a cleaning solution you can make at home:
- Start by pouring into a bowl 1/2 cup of rubbing alcohol, which you can purchase at any drug store.
- Mix the alcohol together with 2 cups of water.
- Next, add about eight drops of dish soap.
- Finally, add a few drops of scented oil of your choice, which will enhance the fragrance of the solution and mask the smell of alcohol.
- Once all of the ingredients are in the bowl, mix the solution thoroughly so that the soap is completely diluted.
- Finally, carefully pour the solution into a clean spray bottle, which will allow you to easily spray and wipe down your granite countertops.
Unlike many products you can buy at the store for cleaning granite countertops, this homemade solution will not scratch or streak your granite. In fact, it is such an effective cleaning solution that you can use it throughout your house–on appliances, in the bathroom and even to wipe down glass.
If you do find scratches and stains that just won’t come out–even with your homemade cleaning solution–you can always contact the granite experts at Arch City Granite & Marble for help. They’ve been helping homeowners keep their granite countertops looking clean and like-knew for more than eight years–and they can help you, too.