Best Granite cleaner/ protectant

[noodlecat]

My granite is sealed, once when installed and once again 9 years later. To clean, I use a 50/50 mix of rubbing alcohol and water. It cleans well and leaves a nice shine.

[mxxm98]

thanks everyone, I will try some of your methods. We have black galaxy granite I think and everything shows, was looking at what everyone else was using. Thank you again

[K'ledgeBldr]

Originally Posted by scitu8

Sealing is recommended for two reasons...The other is radon.

Rubbish!!!
I'm betting you tell this to buyers also(?) I wish REAgents would stick to what they should know- the legal aspects of selling property.

As previously mentioned- the WHOLE UNDERSIDE of granite slabs ARE NOT sealed.

[Brian_M]

Originally Posted by USNRET04

How often is re-sealing recommended? Is there a DIY option?

Lots and LOTS of opinions on this. Probably just as many as there are products out there....

It's very much a DIY thing with some products (that recommend a 1 year re-application cycle from what I've seen, some claim up to 20 years of protection but still suggest a 1-year cycle), but there are other products that the pros tend to use and you wouldn't Want to due to fumes or a more involved application process.

Near as I can tell, there's no concrete "proof" for either side of the argument. The best pro-seal aspects I can find (claims, no idea if it's truth) are that if you choose to put raw products directly on the stone that are carriers for bacteria, that bacteria can hide out in the pores and contaminate other things. I don't know anyone who doesn't use a cutting board, so this is really a null-argument. The other main one is that it prevents staining. I certainly don't have any stains on mine (came with the much-neglected house, I seriously doubt the prior owners sealed ~ they couldn't be bothered to do DIY wiring projects right and nearly burned the house down), but that's just my personal experience.

That said, I do seal mine yearly. One $15 bottle will last a lifetime and it takes about 15 minutes all said and done. Not a big deal, don't care if it's needed or not as it doesn't Hurt anything.

[randomparent]

Mine counter top is sealed, and I use Dr. Bronner's lemon castile soap. Just a couple of drops with plenty of water and a soft cloth. It leaves a silky finish when buffed dry. Also a nice scent.