Granite countertop cleaning problem
Discussion
Im at a loss trying to find something to leave a streak/mist free finish after cleaning very dark granite kitchen countertops.
The suppliers (italian) used alcool (i believe isopropanol???) for the initial clean, but ever since, anything water/oil based leaves streaks/wipe marks or mists.
i cannot find out where/how to import 'alcool' (its a pink liquid in clear plastic bottles, cheap as chips abroad). Does anyone use anything else/know where i can get hold of some of this? Or am i going to have to buy some sort of alcohol wipes to do the job?
n.b. the granite is Stargate Galaxy (kind of polished black with sparkley bits in it) & we've used every type of 'house'hold' cleaning fluid, alas, to no avail.
cheers in advance
The suppliers (italian) used alcool (i believe isopropanol???) for the initial clean, but ever since, anything water/oil based leaves streaks/wipe marks or mists.
i cannot find out where/how to import 'alcool' (its a pink liquid in clear plastic bottles, cheap as chips abroad). Does anyone use anything else/know where i can get hold of some of this? Or am i going to have to buy some sort of alcohol wipes to do the job?
n.b. the granite is Stargate Galaxy (kind of polished black with sparkley bits in it) & we've used every type of 'house'hold' cleaning fluid, alas, to no avail.
cheers in advance
Our last house used to have these surfaces, great but a bit of a pain sometimes.
I used to give it a good scrub and degrease with fairy liquid a good rinse, dry and polish it off with a clean tea towel. Once a week I used to use a 'pledge' wax type spray and give it a good deep polish, almost like polishing your car
.
Harry
I used to give it a good scrub and degrease with fairy liquid a good rinse, dry and polish it off with a clean tea towel. Once a week I used to use a 'pledge' wax type spray and give it a good deep polish, almost like polishing your car
. Harry
Was the granite sealed after installation?
Granite (and most natural stone products) unless sealed after installation will absorb water or other substances and stain.
Give it a good clean with alcohol and then give it a couple of coats of sealant.
Have bought all my stone from these guys
www.stonelldirect.com/index.asp
They should be able to supply you with a suitable sealent and afterwards it should be a case of wiping with a warm wet soapy cloth and drying to a shine with a dry tea towel.
Nice choice of granite by the way - just about to order mine.
Granite (and most natural stone products) unless sealed after installation will absorb water or other substances and stain.
Give it a good clean with alcohol and then give it a couple of coats of sealant.
Have bought all my stone from these guys
www.stonelldirect.com/index.asp
They should be able to supply you with a suitable sealent and afterwards it should be a case of wiping with a warm wet soapy cloth and drying to a shine with a dry tea towel.
Nice choice of granite by the way - just about to order mine.
tks for all your views/advice
the cleaning & buffing with tea-towels is what im really trying to avoid this alcool stuff is fantastic at just wiping over with a cloth and it drys without smears or need for polishing.
it was all sealed up and polished when installed, ill give a few 'stone specialists' a call, see if they can help.
ta
the cleaning & buffing with tea-towels is what im really trying to avoid this alcool stuff is fantastic at just wiping over with a cloth and it drys without smears or need for polishing.
it was all sealed up and polished when installed, ill give a few 'stone specialists' a call, see if they can help.
ta
B17NNS said:
Was the granite sealed after installation?
Granite (and most natural stone products) unless sealed after installation will absorb water or other substances and stain.
I thought granite was the hardest natural substance after diamond. Our granite kitchen surfaces were in the house when we moved in and have had serious abuse from me using knives and wire scourers to scrape off debris with no deliterious effect.
I think its a really good surface for kitchens 'cos you can tell its clean by running a hand over it. I usually scrape the excess shite off then use the last of the washing up water to clean and then antibac spray and kitchen towel.
Should I be taking more care??
T
oddman said:
Should I be taking more care??
Not if that works for you.
Granite is however porus and will stain if not sealed regularly (by regularly I mean once a year or so depending on use).
Treat your granite as you see fit but if you have invested £3k of hard earned in worktops surely it is worth using a chopping board and giving it a coat of seal every year or so to keep it looking its best.
'The alcopop you can light your farts from'. Yep, I might be onto something... anyone got a bottling plant?Meths would be a good option but i dont fancy getting high every weekend (not in this way anyhow!) its a large area & the fumes would prob knock next door out
i too am guilty of abusing the surface as well cutting on it, oven hot plates etc etc i thought thats the main reason for buying the stuff???
but i do hear you. It should prob. be treated every now and again. We've had granite worktops in the family for over 50 years now and theyve never seen more than a soapy rinse every day or so & theyre still going strong.
Lithofin do a good range (stone people advised them) but i still think there must be an easier way instead of having to buff the bloody thing every time i wash it? ill get myself one of those electric buffing machines methinks
i too am guilty of abusing the surface as well cutting on it, oven hot plates etc etc i thought thats the main reason for buying the stuff???
but i do hear you. It should prob. be treated every now and again. We've had granite worktops in the family for over 50 years now and theyve never seen more than a soapy rinse every day or so & theyre still going strong.
Lithofin do a good range (stone people advised them) but i still think there must be an easier way instead of having to buff the bloody thing every time i wash it? ill get myself one of those electric buffing machines methinks
too slippery and dangerous IMO and would dull my lovely Global knives. "Alcool" is foreign for alcohol and I'd guess it's meths or something very similar.
To clean my visor without leaving smears, I use a wet paper towel with a tiny spot of washing up liquid on it, followed by a wet paper towel with just water, followed by a dry paper towel to buff it off.
To clean my visor without leaving smears, I use a wet paper towel with a tiny spot of washing up liquid on it, followed by a wet paper towel with just water, followed by a dry paper towel to buff it off.
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