How to Polish a Granite Countertop

If you've been wanting to polish your granite countertop to remove any recently-incurred scratches or scoffs, you're in luck because granite is one of the easiest stones to polish. With the aid of a few household tools and a tiny bit of elbow grease, your countertop will be smooth and scoff-free in no time.

Step 1 - Give Your Countertop a Preparatory Cleaning

Before proceeding to polish your granite countertop, it's important that you give it a thorough cleaning to remove any caked-on filth. One way to perform this step is to spray the countertop with an all-natural granite cleaner and subsequently wipe down the entire encounter with a soft sponge or nonabrasive washcloth. Alternatively, if you're interested in making your own cleaning solution, simply combine an all-natural brand of liquid soap with warm water inside of an empty spray bottle, seal and shake the bottle, then wipe your countertop clean with one of the aforementioned cleaning tools. When performing this step, it is particularly important that you use all-natural cleaning products, as certain chemicals found in commercial cleaners may produce strange or even hazardous chemical reactions when combined with chemicals found in the stone polish you'll soon be using, regardless of whether you chose the commercial stone polish or the homemade variety. Once the countertop has been completely purged of dirt and dust, dry it with a clean cloth or paper towel.

Step 2 - Polish Your Granite Countertop with Commercial Polish

Now that your freshly cleaned countertop has been fully dried, it's time to carry out the polishing process. As a precaution, make sure the stone polish you intend to use is granite-safe, as certain stone polishes may prove too acidic or abrasive for granite countertops. Once you've confirmed that you're working with a suitable brand of polish, proceed to apply it to your countertop. While most stone polishes can simply be sprayed on, certain brands will require you to apply the polish with a washcloth. After your stone polish has been successfully applied, use a clean nonabrasive washcloth to buff your granite countertop using broad circular motions. Also, when performing this step, take care to pay special attention to any areas with noticeable scratches, dings or scoffs. Once your countertop has been sufficiently polished, follow the directions on your polish's packaging regarding the proper way to rinse it off.

Step 3 - Polish Your Granite Countertop With Homemade Polish

If you're not a fan of commercial polishes, you'll be pleased to learn that you can easily make a highly effective granite polish with nothing more than baking soda and warm water. Inside of a small bowl, combine 3 cups of water with a quarter-cup of baking soda and lightly stir the ingredients until your homemade polish has taken shape. Next, use a paper towel or washcloth to spread your polish across the entire countertop, then use a clean cloth to buff it, again making sure to use broad circular motions. Lastly, use a water-filled spray bottle to rinse off any remaining traces of polish.