Lots of homes have granite countertops these days. They used to be something that you would see only in the richest or most opulent residences, but that has changed over the past couple of decades. Many people have discovered the beauty and durability of natural stone surfaces both indoors and outdoors, and this approach to renovation is often preferred over ceramic. It is necessary to keep them clean, though.
Stone is porous, and even the most highly polished and sealed examples are still prone to a certain amount of discoloration if exposed to dyes or colored liquids. They look strong and durable, and for the most part they are, but it is very important to treat them with respect. Regular attention is usually the best idea.
Here is a common problem: While cooking dinner you have accidentally clipped a large glass of fruit juice with your elbow and now the thick, sticky drink is spreading all over your lovely stone counter. These kinds of things can stain quickly and permanently, so it is important to jump into action right away.
Obviously your first instinct is going to be to get a cloth as mop up the spill. That’s an excellent start, and nothing will be ruined if you do that. But if you deal with every spill in the same way, you will have a reliable protocol to fall back on when things go awry. Follow these directions and you may stand a good chance of eliminating the stain entirely.
First, get mopping. Use a dry paper towel and wipe up as much as you can without spreading it too much further afield. Though the contractor who installed your counter did seal the stone afterwards, the intervening years of use have possibly worn some of the sealant away. It would be safest to assume that you have spilled on a weak spot.
Using hot, clean water, wipe the affected area thoroughly. Then go over it with a dry cloth and wipe the water up. Leaving any liquids on the surface may cause permanent water spotting, and you want to avoid that. If you can use distilled or reverse osmosis water, so much the better. Many municipal water supplies have considerable amounts of minerals, and these can scratch or otherwise disfigure the surface that you are attempting to clean.
A bit of mild dish liquid and some warm water makes a great home made stone cleaning solution. Finish the cleaning job with this, and reapply the cleaner a few times a month. Granite is beautiful, but you have to look after it.