Many of us choose granite for its rich patterns and natural color palette. Matte, polished, or even leathered, every finish adds elegance and dimension to an already stunning material. But as the years go on, you may notice that elegance gradually begins to wane. Although you’re diligent about daily cleaning, the grime on your granite just keeps building and that original rich color is overshadowed by a white milky sheen. Sound familiar? Cloudy countertops are a pain. Luckily, they’re also treatable, reversible, and preventable.
So why is my granite cloudy? And how do I rejuvenate cloudy granite?
Over the years, normal wear and tear can turn your glossy granite countertops into a cloudy mess that feels impossible to clean. So before breaking out the jackhammer and starting from scratch on your kitchen aesthetic, let’s break down a few ways to revamp granite and keep your countertop skies clear.
Top Causes of Cloudiness
Cleaning Products
Scrubbing your countertops day in and day out with a harsh chemical cleaner? While sanitation is an important step in caring for stone material, a commitment to cleanliness may be doing you more harm than good.
Corrosive and acidic products damage natural stone countertops like marble and granite. Why? Because that harsh acidity eats away at your stone’s polish and eventually damages the stone’s outer layer, leaving a white milky residue behind after so many uses. And it’s not just the harsh acidity that leaves your countertops worse for wear. Cheap cleaners typically contain added waxes that leave behind an unsightly residue.
For an alternative that’s easier on your countertops, mix one tablespoon of liquid dish soap with a gallon of warm water. Homemade solutions always leave your stone healthier and stain-free.
Food & Grease Buildup
Conversely, you may not be cleaning your granite countertops enough. While overdoing it with a harsh soap sets you back, letting grime build up without a daily wipe-down damages your countertops just as quickly. Always clean off oily residue to avoid milky streaks.
Silent Killers
Even if you’re not using harsh chemical cleaners to clean your surfaces directly, take a hard look at your other household cleaners. Acidic dish soap? Harsh sink cleaner? A soap that’s splashing all about while you’re doing the dishes damages countertops all the same. Be mindful of everything in your cupboard and switch to all-natural cleaners whenever possible.
Fixing A Cloudy Surface
Specialty Cleaners
When it comes to granite, cleaners can be your best friend or worst enemy. For cloudy surfaces, look for specialty granite cleaners designed to remove milky buildup. Deep cleaners designed for granite usually do the trick. Some professionals also recommend trying Magic Erasers for cloudy buildup specifically, so long as you’re not scrubbing too hard.
Reseal & Polish
Unfortunately, some stains are more than surface level. It’s possible that the last time your countertops were sealed, they were sealed incorrectly. When sealants aren’t given time to dry on the countertop’s surface, the sealant leaves behind a fogginess no amount of scrubbing or deep cleaning can erase. That’s where resealing solves your dilemma.
Call A Professional
If you’re still struggling, there’s no harm in contacting a resurfacing specialist. When the stains are deep, professionals will sniff out the root cause, address the problem, and reseal your granite countertops to perfection.
Preventing Cloudy Buildup
So what can you do to prevent stain buildup in the future? Cleaning regularly with a gentle, household cleanser is a great start. To go the extra mile, consider buffing your countertops dry after every cleaning. Using a clean dry cloth to wipe countertops down post-clean prevents water streaks from drying and developing into a cloudy stain.
Aside from being generally good for the health and longevity of your granite countertops, sealing your countertops regularly also helps prevent those cloudy stains.
Perfect Granite Countertops Summary
If you’ve got granite countertops that look like a foggy night sky rather than the sparkling starry stone you originally purchased, don’t despair. There’s nothing you can’t fix and there’s nothing you can’t prevent as the years go on.
The countertops specialists at Texas Granite Group located in the Austin area can help with all your countertop needs. Working with our customers directly ensures customer satisfaction with upfront pricing, a wide selection of granite, marble and quartz available onsite, and the highest quality workmanship. Our experienced team has been installing and fabricating countertops for over 20 years and we are one of Texas’s premier countertop fabricators. Call us or stop by our countertop store to discuss your countertop renovation today, Free!