How to Clean Granite

Granite is a siliceous stone composed primarily of silicates, such as quartz, feldspar, and mica, which account for the colorful flecks and sparkling veins that make granite a favored finish for kitchens and baths. One of the hardest stones used in interior applications, granite has antibacterial traits and is naturally resistant to heat, water, scratches, and most acids found in kitchen settings.

When it comes to safeguarding granite surfaces, Mike Loflin, Industry Research & Information Manager at the Marble Institute of America, recommends:

Think about sealing. Sealing granite surfaces with an impregnating sealer supplies a protection against stains; sealers do not make stone surfaces stain-proof, but create surfaces that are more resistant to stains. Sealers in food preparation areas must be non-toxic and safe for use with food.

Devise preventative measures. Always use coasters under glasses, particularly those containing alcohol or citrus juices, and place hot dishes on trivets. Don't store staining items--such as cooking oils and oil-based cosmetics and creams--on granite countertops.

Protect against abrasive sand, dirt, and grit. Frequently mop interior floors using a clean non-treated dry dust mop. Minimize tracked-in dirt by placing slip-resistant mats or area rugs inside and outside entrances. If using a vacuum cleaner on granite floors, make sure that attachments and wheels are in tiptop shape; worn equipment can scratch granite.

Stay on top of spills. Immediately blot (don't wipe) spills with a paper towel (wiping spreads spills). Flush the area with a mix of water and mild dishwashing soap; rinse several times. Dry the area thoroughly with a soft cloth. Repeat as necessary.

Avoid harsh cleaners. Granites may contain trace levels of minerals that are acid sensitive, so don't use cleaning products containing lemon, vinegar, or other acids. Don't use scouring powders or abrasive creams or rust removers. Steer clear of ammonia, bleach, or cleaning products with solvents or caustics that could remove sealers. 

Read more at bhg.com

Quartz or Engineered Stone Pros and Cons

In our experience, Quartz or engineered stone is becoming more popular than granite for the following reasons:

1) Quartz is non-porous so won't mark like granite will
2) Quartz is and engineered stone (man-made), but contain 90%-96% natural materials (AKA Quartz crystals).

Quartz has colours, resins and other ingredients added for colour and consistency, making it an overall better looking materialProducersManufacturers of Quartz in the UK include Silestone, Hanstone, Caesarstone, Zodiaq (owned by DuPont)Are there differences between these producers that a homeowner would normally care about?Having a non-porous material in your kitchen is good for reasons of sanitation, since bacteria and viruses cannot penetrate into your kitchen counter top.Granite on the other hand can have a wilder and indeed organic feel to it. See below.PriceDepending on which company you buy your quartz from it can vary significantly of course, but generally engineered stone has a price point that is close to granite.

Some colors of granite cost much more, some much less, but engineered stone in general is about equal in price to a mid-range granite slab.Is there a difference in strength?Yes there is. Engineered stone much stronger than granite, while at the same time being easier to shape. Granite tends to be more brittle due to some parts of the slab being denser and having higher or lower iron content in relation to the natural amount of quartz in the matrix.

Drawbacks of quartz
The biggest complaint about quartz products is that if something does manage to scratch or somehow deface the surface of your counter top, it is almost impossible to repair. This is because engineered stones have a surfacing substance applied to them.With granite it is possible to repair a chip or fill a scratch and to cover your tracks by surface polishing the material. Afterward the repair can often be unnoticeable. This is something that is difficult or impossible with many engineered stones.

Drawbacks of Granite
Granite counter tops occasionally need to be sealed because they are actually porous. Also over time each color of granite will tend to shift (get one shade darker or lighter, change hue slightly) as it is mined from deeper and deeper in the Earth. So if you ever wanted to replace a piece or add to your job, the odds become increasingly thinner and thinner of finding a good color match, even of the same color.