Granite is a highly durable material used widely in kitchens, bathrooms, and other areas of your home—it’s like the crown jewel for exclusive designs across many homes. Known for their natural beauty, most granite designs, including granite countertops, are simply artistry.
While granite is strong and its appeal is undeniable, it can still lose its shine as it ages. To keep granite countertops looking elegant and bold, they should be polished from time to time. Let’s find out how to polish granite economically to keep your granite countertops looking nice and new.
Understanding Granite Surfaces Before You Polish
Before polishing granite countertops, it is essential to understand how granite surfaces differ from other materials like laminate, marble, or quartz. Granite is a natural stone, so its composition and color are unique. Its texture varies based on the mineral grains it contains and how it was formed when the magma cooled.
Granite is an extremely hard material that can last a long time when used to construct countertops in homes. Due to it being largely scratch-resistant, granite is widely used to make countertops in bathrooms, kitchens, living rooms, dining rooms, laundry rooms, etc.
The stone is porous, though, so it can absorb oils or chemicals if the sealing is ineffective or damaged. Choosing the right granite cleaner, tools, and granite polish is the key to protecting your countertops.
Things You Should Know Before Polishing Granite
The first thing to know about granite polishing is that the wrong material can damage the stone. Granite counters require the right polishing powder or other materials for the best results. So, learning what can positively and negatively affect the outcome is necessary before you begin polishing.
So, here’s a quick cheat sheet to help you work with various granite worktops. These rules typically also apply to light granite and natural granite countertops.
- Seal Checks: A seal protects the granite from soaking and staining. Use a water droplet test to check if water soaks into your granite counters. Fresh sealing is needed if it soaks instead of forming beads on the surface.
- Select Suitable Cleaners: Like marble cleaning techniques benefit delicate marble surfaces, granite cleaning also requires care. To protect the stone, avoid harsh cleaning agents and chemicals. Ammonia, bleach, vinegar, etc., can damage granite. A pH-neutral or pH-balanced cleaning solution can keep the stone intact.
- Understand Granite Finish: Polished granite finishes differ based on how they react to polishing. For example, leathered granite used for your countertops may not respond to polishing like a low-gloss one would.
- Pick Appropriate Materials and Tools: Polishing compounds and tools are essential in determining the effectiveness of the polishing process. With the right compounds and tools, you can achieve the right finish.
- Choose Suitable Colors: When making a new countertop, note that dark granite may not show stains as prominently as light granite. Depending on your needs, pick the right granite color for your countertops and polish it accordingly to enhance the natural patterns.
When you understand the various stone surfaces well, you can polish granite like a professional and keep costs in check.
Step-by-Step Guide to Polishing Granite Countertops Economically
A step-by-step guide to polishing granite countertops can help you keep surfaces in your home shining for a long time without much fuss. Here’s how you can do it:
Step 1 – Clean the Surface Thoroughly
Take a gentle granite cleaner to clean the surface. You can use warm water and dish soap if you don’t want to use a readymade granite cleaning solution. Next, take a dry microfiber cloth, dip it in the chosen liquid, and wipe the surface. Note that sponges or other abrasive materials can lead to scratches on the stone.
For grime that refuses to budge, consider expert services like stone cleaning Chicago for a deep clean before polishing.
Step 2 – Apply the Polish
Take the polishing compound and apply it directly to the granite counters. Use a soft cloth to spread it throughout the surface, moving the fabric in circular motions for the best results. If you have chosen a retail product with instructions on how to use it, follow the instructions carefully for the desired outcome.
Step 3 – Buffing and Finishing
After wiping, use another clean, dry microfiber cloth to buff the countertop surface. This process removes any leftover material or compound. Your natural granite countertop should shine like a new stone slab upon completion.
Budget-Friendly Granite Polishing Methods
Everyone likes that fresh granite glow that makes it look like the stone just arrived from a showroom. Polishing can help you keep your granite countertops shiny. However, the catch is to ensure polishing at reasonable prices.
So, let’s study some budget-friendly granite polishing methods in this section.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is found in every kitchen! What can be simpler than granite polish in this form? Mix baking soda and water to form a paste. Take as much baking soda as needed based on the surface you need to clean.
Apply it to the granite surfaces in your kitchen, bathroom, living room, or anywhere else, and allow it to rest. After a while, take a dry cloth and wipe it clean. This is a safe cleaning process for natural stone.
Cooking Oil
Cooking oil is another readily available item in kitchens. Take a few drops of cooking oil, like olive oil, and buff the granite until you see a shine. Oil makes the color and patterns prominent, but too much oil can attract dust.
Retail Granite Polish
Granite polish is available online and in hardware stores. These products come with specific instructions for stone surfaces. Cleaning the surface before using these products gives good results. Apply the solution on the surface as directed on the label and wipe it clean once the process is finished.
To avoid damaging the stone, select a pH-balanced product. These sprays can be effective when used regularly for maintenance.
Granite Polishing Powder
Polishing powder can shine granite countertops that have lost their sheen over time. Mix the chosen powder with water and apply the paste on the countertop. Buff it gently with a soft cloth. You can use more paste on areas that seem badly affected. However, do not overdo it.
Once done, pour warm water over the surface to clear it entirely. This will ensure there is no powder residue.
If you want to refresh every surface in your house, including floors, seek concrete floor polishing services from reputable names in the industry.
Granite Polishing Cream
A granite polishing cream is used for deep cleaning and polishing. It can restore the stone’s shine and cure minor scratches. This polishing product is more advanced than other items on this list.
Polishing creams are likely costlier than other products but are still reasonably priced for occasional use. Apply the polishing cream with a cloth, let it rest, and buff it until the stone shines. Use warm water to remove residue after the polishing process is complete.
How to Maintain Granite Shine After Polishing
We won’t lie—maintaining shiny granite countertops after polishing requires discipline. Agreed, it is not tough, but it requires everyone in the home to be careful about how they use the countertops. To keep shiny countertops shiny, do the following:
- Control Liquid Stains: For coffee, tea, and other drinks, use coasters instead of placing the glasses and cups directly on the surface.
- Wipe Spills: Anything spilled on the countertop should be wiped off immediately.
- Clean the Stone: Use a soft cloth to clean the surface regularly with a mild granite cleaner or other granite-friendly materials.
- Seal Regularly: Sealing granite every few months increases its life as sealants reduce absorption and stains.
- Be Careful with Heavy Pots and Pans: When heavy items hit the countertop, they can damage granite.
- Avoid Excessive Heat: This stone is heat-resistant, but excessive heat can cause discoloration.
Conclusion
A big budget is not mandatory to make your granite countertops look brand new. You can handle granite polishing at low costs by learning how stone surfaces react with different materials and following simple steps.
Mastering granite polishing is about more than savings; it gives you the confidence to polish countertops and care for your space on your terms. Restoring your home’s granite surfaces and making them shine can be deeply satisfying.
If you need professional assistance, experts like Granite Heroes can always help. Offering an array of restoration and polishing services, our team brings extensive experience and craftsmanship to every project.
