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Slide 1: How to take care of Granite Countertops? With a Soft Cloth: Use only a soft cloth and warm water to remove the remains and the leftover particles. To clean off the debris on the surface, use only the simple solution of a mild, anti bacterial soap and warm water along with a sponge. Keep in mind that it is very important to remove any left over particles from your countertop as these can scratch and etch the surface. Avoid Chemical Cleaners: Harsh chemical cleaners particularly ones containing acidic substances such as lemon juice and vinegar can hole in the ground and etch the countertop. Gritty cleaners such as those appropriate for cleaning glass can result in a build-up of film and a cloudy looking countertop. In contrast to that there are a variety of cleaners especially formulated for granite countertops with neutral PH formulations that you can use. Before buying cleaners, please check the product labels of these cleaners to rule out those containing ammonia, acetone, bleach or lemon. Removing the Stains: Like other stone surfaces used for countertops, granite too can take up stains from an agent. The poulticing method of stain removal from granite countertops includes placing an absorbent material on the stain to re-absorb it. The use of the absorbent material will differ based on the type of stain. For an obstinate stain on your countertop mix some flour with liquid dish washing soap and apply it to the stain. Keep this in overnight for it to dry and then wash with warm water. In case of an organic stain from coffee, tea, gravy or mustard, use a mixture of ammonia and approximately 10% of hydrogen peroxide. Inorganic stains from spilling of wine and ink, these tough, permanent stains require a mix of bleach mixed with molding plaster. Apply this mixture over the inorganic stain and keep it for half and hour and then wash with water. Using Granite Sealants: Sealing of the granite countertops is done through the installation itself. However, one of the drawbacks of granite countertops is that it is quite absorbent. To make it more resistant to stains, use a granite sealer that can help keep away the stains. You can get the sealing complete by a professional or do it yourself at your home. There are a variety of granite sealants available in the market. First put a single coat, follow your manufacturer's directions. After twenty four hours, put another coat to make the granite countertop less porous, shiny and moisture protected. One of the most common misconceptions is that you need to seal the granite regularly. Though, this is not factual for quality, resin coated granites that want to be sealed only twice a year to keep the luster.