clean/sanitizing granite

[ry91]

Hi,

We recently had granite countertops installed in our kitchen. They were sealed, of course. We are wondering what can we use on them to sanitize. We've heard that amonia or bleach based products would hurt them, and remove the sealant. The sanitizing product from Miracle, Miracle disinfectant, is for non-food surfaces. So what can we use that will not only clean, but kill germs?

Thanks,
Ryan

[Stonehenge]

One of the greatest myths is that Granite is a bacterial breeding ground, I know for a fact that this is perpetuated by the solid surface industry.

A simple cleaning with stone cleaning agents or even simpler cleaning agents is prudent and advised.

Bacteria requires a nutrient and moisture to flourish, simple cleaning tends to eliminate the proclivity of bacterial blooming.




Michael Stonehenge

[ry91]

Thank you. You're correct, they do need nutrients and moisture. But juice from poultry and other meats are best cleaned up with a disinfectant rather than just soap and water. A little extra info, my wife is in a microbiology related field, and is a hyper-cleaner. She is also pregnant, which raises that bar even higher, as if it wasn't high enough already. So, she would prefer to use 409, or similar product, but we don't want to hurt the granite. Other solutions?

Thanks,
Ryan

[Stonehenge]

Variety dependent your granite and/or your impregnator (sealant) may be vulnerable to acidic or alkaline materials.

Does your granite darken with simple water? If so then additional impregnators may be required. The last study that I reviewed suggest that plastic cutting boards are more likely to trap negative materials as compared to a wood cutting board. I suggest a wooden cutting board for cutting meat products (of course allowing complete drying in between uses) . While I understand your current trepidation, you can also purchase 91% isopropal alcohol to ease a germaphobic state.