Getting Grease Off Granite Countertops

Granite countertops can be incredibly beautiful, but they require some upkeep. One of the issues you can run into is greasy buildup, especially around the stove top. It's one of those things that can sneak up on you, too, because the buildup is slow and subtle. Even if you've been cleaning the counter regularly, grease and cleaning product residue can build up and cause a film to develop on your countertops. How do you get rid of it?

First off, don't reach for the vinegar. It's tempting because vinegar cuts through grease and is a common and beloved natural house cleaner. It's great for windows and mirrors, but you don't want to use it on granite. It's an acid, and even as mild an acid as it is, use over time can cut through the sealant and begin to damage the stone itself. Don't use window cleaner or lemon juice either; stay away from the acidic products in general. 

The first thing you can try is rubbing alcohol. Rubbing alcohol, or isopropyl alcohol, is an excellent degreaser. It also is generally considered neutral, so there's no need to worry about damaging the granite. You'll want to make sure that you use your usual cleaning cloths for the granite—scraping or scratching at the grease can damage the granite—and rinse the counter off afterwards before drying.

In current times, however, it may be difficult to get your hands on rubbing alcohol. And there are many people who need it for more important stuff than cleaning their counters. Right? So, there is an alternative, and that alternative is acetone.

Acetone is another neutral liquid that is an excellent solvent. Acetone, however, may strip the sealant off your granite, so if you need to use acetone, you also need to resign yourself to resealing the countertop. And don't just reach for your nail polish remover, either. Many don't have acetone at all, or they also contain a bunch of other stuff. You need 100% acetone, full stop. Acetone will cut through grease and can even lift some small stains. You want to be careful in using it, and again make sure to rinse the counter off and dry thoroughly after using acetone on the counter, and be sure to seal the countertop afterwards.

If all this has failed, it's probably time to find someone in your area who does granite countertop restoration because the countertop may need a deep polish, and that's the kind of thing that must be done with equipment. Contact a company that offers granite countertop services to learn more.

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