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 for cleaning granite countertops 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.You'll find complete and detailed information in our Granite & Marble Maintenance e-books about using hydrogen peroxide and other ingredients (different chemicals are needed for removing certain types of stains) to remove stains, etc. I wouldn't recommend peroxide as a regular cleaner though since it is a bit acidic. Most granite will not be harmed by acids right away like marble will... but still you shouldn't go out of your way to constantly expose the surface to acidic substances. Over time regular use of acidic or harsh cleaners can etch and dull the polish and degrade the granite sealer. 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 bad in your home. I recommend using just hot water for general clean up and then a few sprays of a stone cleaner like this Granite & Marble Cleaning spray for cleaning granite countertops (or any natural stone) at the end of the day. And if you really want the granite to sparkle and shine, you may consider also using a Topical Polish/Shine Enhancer once or twice a month. Yes, specialty stone products are more expensive, but using the proper granite cleaning 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
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