Lesson 1: Granite countertop cleaning tips

Keep your countertops looking new for few years by wiping frequently with either a granite, quartz, and stone cleaner, a mild soap and water mix, or an ammonia-free window cleaner.

Ink (magic marker, pen, ink) on light colored stones, clean with bleach or hydrogen peroxide. On dark colored stones, clean with lacquer thinner or acetone (CONSULT A PROFESSIONAL TO ASSESS THE AREA BEFORE APPLYING)

Efflorescence (a white powder that may appear on the surface of the stone) it is caused by the deposition of mineral salts carried by water from below the surface of the natural stone. When the water evaporates, it leaves the powdery substance. If the installation is new, dust, mop or vacuum the powder. You may have to do this several time as the stone dries out. Do not use water to remove the powder; it will only temporarily disappear. If the problem persists, contact your installer to help identify and remove the cause of the moisture.

Biological (algae, mildew, lichens, moss, fungi) clean with diluted cleaning solution. Use a 1/2 cup of any of the following: ammonia, bleach, or hydrogen peroxide and a gallon of water. Reminder: do not mix bleach and ammonia.