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Can You Use Baking Soda on Granite? (Read This First!)

If you need to do some deep cleaning or handle stubborn stains, on which reagent do you rely? Most homemakers trust baking soda as their ultimate cleaning agent. But can you use it on granite?

Granite countertops undoubtedly make your house look classy and elegant. But you need to take proper care of it to shine every day.

Can you rely on baking soda for that? We will answer all your questions with some handy tips. All you need to do is follow us through the article.

Using baking soda on granite:

You can use baking soda on granite without any worry. It is recommended not to use baking soda as a cleaning agent on natural stones. But granite is an exception. It doesn’t damage granite to any extent. It will even help you to remove stains from the granite.

Do you want a durable and elegant but easy-to-clean countertop? If yes, granite is probably one of the best options. They are sturdy and can withstand rough usage without losing their shine.

However, it may also get stained or dirty with regular use. You need to keep it clean, so it does not lose its glaze. Now the question is, is baking soda a reliable cleaning agent for granite? If yes, how do you use it on granite? Let’s find out.

Granite sink:

Granite kitchen sinks are nowadays in very high demand. They are a composite mixture of granite and other materials.

And it makes them more durable and resistant to stains. But if they get stained over time, it is time to use some baking soda.

To clean the granite kitchen sink, you must first put baking soda on the stains. Now, put a little amount of vinegar in it. You can mix them before and apply them later in the sink.

Some prefer using vinegar after diluting it with water. You can do that too to be extra careful. Mix vinegar and water in 1:1 proportion. Later, mix it with baking soda.

Keep baking soda and vinegar paste on the stains for 15-30 minutes. Then, clean them off with soap and water using a cloth or sponge. Dry off the sink to avoid the presence of any remnant of vinegar.

Granite countertops:

Granite countertops are trendy due to their sturdy structure. They are heat resistant which makes them an excellent choice for your kitchen. Thanks to their additional sealing, they can also prevent knife marks successfully.

But with regular use, this top layer of sealing may damage. As a result, your countertops become prone to having deep stains, watermarks, etc. Now that’s when baking soda comes to your rescue.

Make a paste of baking soda and water first. The paste should not be watery in texture. Apply in on the stain and leave for some time.

In case the stain is pretty deep, apply the soda mix first. Now, wrap in using plastic paper and leave it overnight. After that, clean it with regular soap and water. Hopefully, there will be no more stains.

Does baking soda remove stains from granite?

Baking soda works like a wonder to remove stains from granite. And on top of that, it doesn’t damage the outer shell or sealing.

It’s definitely better than any expensive cleaning agent available on the market. They often cause discoloration on the granite surface.

Two types of stains are generally found on granite. Water-based and oil stains. Mix hydrogen peroxide with baking soda if you are working with a water stain.

But if it’s a deep oil stain, it is better to make a paste of baking soda and water. You have to apply a decent layer of the paste on the stain. Cover the area with plastic wrap. As oil-based stains are stubborn, it is better to leave them for at least 24 hours.

Next day, open the wrap and clean off the paste with water and soap.

Reasons why baking soda is great for cleaning granite:

If you ask your mom or grandma what they used for cleaning granite, they will probably answer with baking soda. Yes, it has been used for generations. But why?

Why do most people choose baking soda for their granite counter? Let’s find out.

Easily available:

Isn’t it natural to look for a cleaning agent that is readily available? You definitely wouldn’t like it if you didn’t find a cleaner when you needed it.

Baking soda is easily available at almost every grocery store. That’s one of the main reasons to make it likable to many people.

PH level:

Natural stones like granite are sturdy and durable. However, they can be easily damaged by acids and alkalis. Especially, the outermost shiny coating of granite countertops can get discolored.

Baking soda has a pH level of 8.4. It is quite near the neutral pH level of 7. When mixed with water, the paste of baking soda gains a new pH level of 7.2 to 7.5. Warm water works best in this case.

Now, cleaning granite with a nearly neutral pH level cleaning agent doesn’t cause any damage to it.

Deep cleaning:

Baking soda is incredible for deep cleaning. Are you having trouble with stubborn oil stains? Does your counter have water-based marks? Well, no worries when you have baking soda.

Make a paste using both baking soda and water (hydrogen peroxide in case of water stains). Apply it on top of the stain and leave it for a day. And the next day, when you clean up the paste, you will find the stain gone!

Inexpensive:

There are multiple expensive cleaning materials available in the market. You can use them to clean your home. However, that will probably be a one-time thing.

For regular cleaning, everyone wants something that is pocket-friendly. And baking soda amazingly fits that criteria.

How long do you leave baking soda on granite?

It depends on what kind of stains you have on your granite table. Is it an old, resistant oil stain? Or has it formed from leaving hot pans on the counter?

No matter how strong and deep the stain is, it is possible to remove them with baking soda. However, the time needed for that may differ.

For every day, non-deep stains, you need to leave the paste of baking soda and water for 15-30 minutes. After that, clean it with regular dishwasher soap and water.

But if it’s an old and deep stain, you may need to leave the paste on the stain for at least 24 hours. If it still doesn’t budge, do the same procedure again.

Tips to use baking soda to clean granite sink and countertops:

Everyone has some tricks wrapped in their sleeves when it comes to cleaning. We have found some fantastic tips too! They will surely help you to keep your granite sink shining for a long time.

No harsh scrubbing:

The first and most important thing if cleaning granite with baking soda is not using any abrasive scrubber. They can create scratches and damage the outer sealing.

Always use a spongy scrubber or fine clothing to clean it. Use the cloth in a circular, round motion. Apply only the amount of pressure needed.

Use Hydrogen peroxide:

If you are trying to clean water marks or water-based stains, add a bit of hydrogen peroxide with baking soda.

If you haven’t tried this trick, it is high time you use it! This ultimate mixture of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda works wonders on water stains.

Mix with vinegar:

Baking soda is alkaline in nature. On the other hand, vinegar is acidic. When both of them are mixed, the mixture becomes acidic. And it works incredibly on oil stains.

Use this paste on old, stubborn oil stains. Leave it for a whole day. When you finally clean it off with water, there will be no stains anymore!

Plastic wrap:

If it is quite a strong stain you are trying to remove, it is better to apply the baking soda paste first. And then leave it for 24 to 48 hours. And it shouldn’t come in contact with water or soap.

In order to ensure that, it is better to wrap a plastic cover after applying the paste on top of the stain. Close the edges with tape for the proper enclosure.

Regular cleaning with water:

Even though granite can be durable for a long time, it is better to keep it clean regularly. For daily cleaning, you can use any regular detergent or dishwashing liquid.

And once a week, you may use baking soda and water batter to ensure deep cleaning.

Final thoughts

Baking soda is totally usable on granite. You can use regular detergent soap and water to clean your granite countertop on a daily basis. You can trust baking soda in case of occasional deep cleaning or stain removal. If you follow the proper method, baking soda won’t cause any damage.