Advice on cleaning granite worktops please.

[Ruthiebabes]

I had a new kitchen last year and opted for star galaxy black granite worktops.

I am trying really hard to look after them, cleaning up water spills etc. But... there are now loads of water marks on it.

Any suggestions on how I can get rid of the marks.. and also what daily cleaner should I use??

Thanks in advance for your help.

[CaptainUnderpants]

My MIL used to use car window screen wash on her granite tops to keep them smudge free .

[flowerybeanbag]

We were advised to wipe ours with hot slightly soapy water so I normally run a hot washing up bowl and use that plus a microfibre cloth a couple of times a day. Seems to be doing the trick.

We have hard water so get water marks sometimes just around the sink, have wiped those with half a lemon with good effect.

[HumphreyCobbler]

yes a microfibre cloth for daily cleaning

[Owls]

I hate our granite tops. Really wish I'd never gone for them although appreciate I am probably in the minority on here.

I use Method granite cleaner. Seems to be the only thing I've found on a daily basis that keeps them smear free. grrr.

[mummygogo]

soapy water and then wipe over afterwards with a dry cloth - does the trick just fine

[littlegreen]

Owls - am in the midst of planning a new kitchen and am tempted to instal granite worktops. Having read your post, I am now in two minds. . . why do you not like your granite worktops now?

[Owls]

Littlegreen - I guess because to me they always look sort of 'smeary'. Never that nice glossy look in brochures/mags which I fell for. You stand over it and it looks great - move to the side and "arrrgghhh"..... You think you've cleaned up all grease cooking splashes, etc., return to the kitchen later then realise it looks dull and smeared again

When we re-do the kitchen I will definitely revert to my wood worktop days.

I'm not a major houseproud cleaner either believe me, but these granite worktops just hack me off. Like I say though, think I might be a minority.

[HerHonesty]

if like me you are in a very hard water area i share your pain. in our last house we took to scrubbing of water residue with a scourer and then granite polish.

would never have dark granite again in a hard water area. its the true black look which people fall for and it is so wrong.

[littlegreen]

Thanks for input, Owls.
HerHonesty, would a white granite be better at concealing stains and smears?

[MadameCastafiore]

Just give it a whizz over with lemon juice every few days and then wipe with wet clean cloth and buff.

Our granite is fab!

[flowerybeanbag]

Our granite never looks smeary I have to say. I just wipe it over with hot soapy water and a microfibre cloth a couple of times a day and it looks fab, lovely and shiny and black.

We are in a hard water area and do get water marks round the sink, especially when we don't wipe up immediately, but a bit of lemon juice soon sorts it out no problem.

I guess it takes all sorts but having had a wooden worktop previously and now the granite I would not go back!

[bebesequin]

Hate them - Mine also smeary despite lots of attention -would not have them again - but could not tell DH- he did warn me!!My cleaning lady also told me not to do it!!

[HeinzSight]

Great tip about lemon juice, I didn't know that!

Another recommendation for method daily granite cleaner. Also microfibre cloths a MUST.

I also regret going for 'black' granite, a friend has brown sort of turtle shell granite and she doesn't have to polish it or anything

[brimfull]

no not lemon juice -you will eventually lose the polished look.

To get rid of water marks ie.limescale you need to scrub them off with steel wool or a scourer.

It sounds horrendous but the limescale is sitting on top of the granite and needs scraping off-it won't affect the shiny polished look-in fact will bring it back.

I use an e-cloth to dry after wiping ,the thin blue glass cloth not the microfibre one.

[HeinzSight]

won't a scourer or steel wool scratch the surface?

[brimfull]

no

I was told by the supplier to do this-it brings up the shine again... honestly!

[Friendlypizzaeater]

I don't like mine either, wish Id gone for the composite stuff. I use a spray stuff from Lakeland when I really want it to gleam, other than that I find filling the worktop a better option

[HeinzSight]

that's interesting ggirl, I'll give that a go around the tap

[HerHonesty]

any colour but black, even the mottled brown would be better!

[BernieBear]

I use window cleaner - it works a treat.

[MadameCastafiore]

Windiw cleaner will work a treat as it will most likely have vinegar in it, which is an acid like lemon juice and so counteracts the alkaline of the limescale - calcium carbonate if I remember from all those years ago correctly.

[jennybeadle]

I love love love our granite. We've installed in now in three houses, and as long as we can afford it, it's what we'd chose.

Method cleaner is brilliant, and non smeary, and smells lovely. An e-cloth and warm water also great.

[fussychica]

Just water and an e cloth - works a dream as long as you e cloth when the surface is still totally wet.

[FishfingersAreOK]

My granite people also told me not to use any of the "added fruit/zesty/smelly" washing up liquids as they contain fruit oils which will smear - just normal fairy is perfect. And YYY to e-cloths.