Granite Countertops and Vapor Steam Cleaning

Purpose

• A steam cleaner produces hot steam that removes surface stains, stuck-on food and loose dirt from granite countertops. The pressure of the steam forces stuck-on food to lift from the counter top and loose dirt to wash away, while the water from the steam will help clean surface stains. A steam cleaner can clean a large countertop area in a short time with little effort, making it quicker and easier than hand scrubbing the countertops with a sponge or towel.

Use

• Steam cleaners work without additional cleaning products, and you only need to add water to the cleaning device before use. The steam cleaner has a nozzle attachment that you use to apply the steam directly to the countertops. When working with a steam cleaner, you must move quickly to get an even stream of steam across the entire surface area. Handling the steam cleaner device and working with the nozzle can take practice to produce accurate results.

Frequency

• You can steam clean a granite countertop as often as you like, as long as you use a commercial steam cleaner with a lower heat setting. The lower heat and chemical-free clean will not hurt the surface of the granite. However, a steam cleaner produces a deep clean and may not be necessary for daily use. Instead, set a regular cleaning schedule that combines hand cleaning with steam cleaning. For example, wipe down your granite countertops daily to prevent stain buildup. Once a month, or biweekly if you have a very active kitchen, use the steam cleaner for a deep clean.

Side Effects

• Professional steam cleaners can produce higher heat than commercially available steam cleaners. This higher heat can cause the granite around the grout to expand and contract, which over time, may cause cracks between the granite and the grout. However, commercial cleaners do not typically get hot enough to cause any problems. While the steam will disinfect the countertops to some extent, some people prefer to use anti-bacterial cleaners, especially after using the surface to work with raw meat, which can carry bacteria.