Cleaning Granite Countertops With Hydrogen Peroxide
by Craig
QUESTION:I recently read that many hospitals use Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) to clean surfaces, floors and counter tops instead of bleach or chlorine as it is very effective at killing germs and removing dirt without leaving a harsh or noxious odor. As I researched further it turns out that H2O2 has been used in numerous ways beyond wound care, including as a mouthwash, hair dye and everyday cleaner. All that plus it is inexpensive.I recently tested H2O2 on our Brazilian "Copper Canyon" granite and it left the surface clean and very shiny. I did note, however, that after the initial cleaning I needed to retrace my path to clean off any excess or it left a film. But with the film cleaned off it looked brilliant. Do you have any experience with using Hydrogen Peroxide to clean counter tops, and specifically granite, and if not, do you have any concerns about doing so? Cheers, Craig ANSWER:Yes, Hydrogen Peroxide is commonly used on marble and granite countertops for stain removal... not so much for cleaning though.If you read the Q & A on our Cleaning Marble page (at bottom) you'll see many recommendations on how to remove stains with a hydrogen peroxide poultice. I wouldn't recommend it as a regular cleaner though since it is a bit acidic. Most granite will not be harmed by acids... still you shouldn't go out of your way to constantly expose the surface to acidic substances. It could degrade the granite sealer and may cause some dulling with prolonged use. Besides, polished granite has a high "cleanability" index (comparable to stainless steel) and is very resistant to bacteria growth. There's no need for overly aggressive cleaning like in a hospital. Hospitals are swarming with bacteria and need constant disinfecting. Not so in your home. I recommend using just hot water for general clean up and then a few sprays of a stone cleaner like MB-5 Stone Cleaner at the end of the day. And if you really want the granite to sparkle and shine, you may consider also using MB-13 Stone Polish once or twice a month. Yes, specialty stone products are more expensive, but using the proper products will eliminate 90% of the problems people most commonly ask me to solve for them. It's just more prudent to use products that work best for stone. But using hydrogen peroxide for a general clean 2 or 3 times a year or after you've exposed the surface to a lot of meat or fish (probably the best use of H2O2) is fine for granite. Regards, Ryan  I highly recommend MB Stone Care Products to maintain all your marble, stone and granite countertops and floors in optimal condition. I've used other good products (Stone Tech, Miracle) but found MB Stone Care is the most reliable and effective.
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