How to Make Granite Shine: What Steps Can You Take?

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When it comes to home surfaces, there are few materials that can rival the beauty of granite and its distinctive shine. Whether its granite countertops, a granite backsplash or any other surface, this natural stone looks magnificent in any home. Many homeowners wonder how granite gets its wonderful shine. This guide will give you the answer to that question, in addition to letting you know how you can help your granite regain that shine if it has become dull. 

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How Does Granite Shine? 

After it is initially polished at a fabrication facility, granite is able to produce a natural shine. This is largely due to the high quartz content present in the stone. The amount of shine you will see from your granite will largely depend on the finish of the stone. If you have a polished finish, you will receive an incredible shine from your granite. 

What Else Can Make Your Granite Shine? 

There are some steps you can take toward making sure your granite retains its shine or restoring its shine if the stone has begun to dull. These methods are explained in more detail below. 

Retaining the Shine 

A great way to keep your granite looking shiny and new is to keep up on cleaning. While wiping the surface with mild dish soap, warm water and a paper towel can be effective for a quick cleanup, you will need to use a granite cleaner such as this one to get a deeper, more effective clean.  

Never use any common household cleaning products on your granite. This includes cleaners like bleach, Windex, Clorox and vinegar, among many others. Using products such as these can damage your stone, or at the very least, cause it to dull – exactly what you do not want to happen. 

Enhancing the Shine 

You can further enhance the shine of your granite by polishing it. There are several granite polish products you can find on the market. One of the best is Laticrete StoneTech Polish. Different products work differently. Always read the instructions that come with your specific product. 

When you are polishing the countertops, make sure to never use any rough cleaning tools that may scratch the stone. It is recommended that you use a soft cloth (specifically a microfiber cloth) when you are buffing your granite. Always buff in a circular motion and make sure to reach the whole surface. 

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How Do You Clean Granite Surfaces? 

To clean your granite, use granite cleaners like the one mentioned above. As with polishing, never use any abrasive tools to clean your granite surfaces. 

What Are Other Ways You Can Keep Your Granite in Great Shape? 

By taking some small but important steps, you can not only retain your granite’s shine, but keep it as good as new in general. One of these simple yet important steps is sealing. Sealing is key to protecting your granite from hazards such as stains or liquid damage. 

How Do You Seal Granite Surfaces? 

To seal your granite, you must first select a sealant product. This step will not be difficult, as there are many granite sealers you can find on the market. Some of the best include Laticrete StoneTech BulletProof Sealer and Superior Zero Ultimate Stone Sealer. 

Depending on which sealer you choose, you will either need to spread it on the surface using a brush or spray it on if it comes in a spray bottle. Your sealant will come with specific instructions for use, so make sure to follow those guidelines. 

Before you can begin sealing the surface, you will need to make sure it is clean first. If it is a countertop, clear off everything that is on the surface and clean it using a granite cleaner. After this, you can begin applying the sealer to your granite. Once it is applied, wait 15 minutes. If you see that all the sealer has absorbed during this time, you will need to apply another coat. When this time is up, wipe off any excess sealer. Finally, you must let your granite countertop or other surface sit without being used for at least 24 hours. 

Exercising Caution with Granite 

Just because granite countertops and other surfaces are among the toughest material you can have in your home, you still should make an effort to be as cautious as possible with the stone. For example, although granite kitchen countertops are so strong they can damage a knife, it is still in your best interest to use cutting boards when preparing food. Similarly, you should not leave any stains sitting on the surface. By cleaning them up right away, you will prevent a larger issue from occurring. 

Why Choose Granite Surfaces for the Home? 

There are many reasons why granite is an ideal choice for any home. The natural stone is incredibly beautiful, durable, is easy to care for and will offer you many types to choose from. With all these benefits, it is no wonder why granite is one of the top choices among homeowners. The stone can be used for kitchen countertops, bathroom vanity tops, backsplashes and many other surfaces, such as fireplace surrounds and outdoor kitchen countertops. For more ideas on how to utilize granite in your home, check out this article. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Below is a list of some frequently asked questions that homeowners have regarding how to make granite shine. 

Can You Polish Granite on Your Own? 

Yes you can. You may also opt to hire a professional for the job, but polishing granite can also be a DIY job. 

How Often Should You Re-Seal Granite? 

Granite is among the less porous natural stone options. That being said, it is still porous and will need to be sealed. How often you should re-seal your granite will ultimately depend on which type of the stone you have, as some require sealing more frequently than others. In general, you will likely only have to seal your granite around once per year. 

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How Often Should You Clean Your Granite?

It is a good habit to clean your granite every day. At a minimum, you should clean the surface once per week. Keep in mind that the cleaner you keep your granite, the better shape it will stay in. To add to that, the better shape you keep your granite in, the more value it will add to your home. 

Dull granite is certainly not ideal, but it is not a cause for panic. Through taking some simple steps, you can have your granite shining like it used to in no time. If you keep up on cleaning, polishing and sealing, you should have a surface that leaves you satisfied for many years to come. 

Installing granite in the home, especially granite countertops, is a huge step to take in any home improvement project. This beautiful natural stone can easily become the focal point of any space it is installed in. Because this is the case, you will want to make every effort you possibly can to make sure your granite stays in excellent condition. Through following the steps outlined in this guide, you can do just that. The information above will help you learn how you can both keep your granite’s shine and enhance it.

Why you can trust Marble.com

When it comes time to get the job done, our fabrication and installation teams have the equipment and expertise it takes to get your project cut and delivered the right way, every time. We at Marble.com are known for our incredibly quick turnaround, as we understand having countertops and other mainstays installed quickly and properly is important to our customers. We value your time, and our goal is to create the best work possible and have you enjoying it as possible.

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