Granite countertops require special care so that they continue looking beautiful for many years. Although granite is quite resistant to scratches, to properly maintain this type of countertop material, it's advisable to follow a few simple procedures.

Spills have a tendency to soak into the surface, so to avoid deep staining wipe up spills immediately.

For stone surfaces a neutral cleaner, such as stone soap or mild dishwashing liquid and warm water, is safe to use.

When cleaning with a soap solution, use a soft, clean cloth and then rinse the surface thoroughly. Finish off by drying with a soft, clean cloth.

If you do happen to stain the surface, removal depends on the type of stain. First, try removing it with this paste: mix together a cup of flour, 1-2 tablespoons of dishwashing liquid, and water. Place the paste over the stain, cover in plastic wrap, and leave overnight. In the morning, use a wooden utensil to scrape away the paste and give it a rinse. This should work except for stains made from grease, oil, or milk. In these cases, instead of dishwashing liquid use hydrogen peroxide in the paste, or ammonia.

For organic stains resulting from coffee, tea, or fruit, a mixture of 12% hydrogen               peroxide combined with a few drops of ammonia should work wonders.

Even oils secreted from your skin will be absorbed into the granite, this will cause a           gradual darkening of the color over a period of time in areas touched often i.e. the front     of the sink area.

Ink, marker and wine stains on darker stone require a lacquer thinner or acetone for          removal. Hydrogen peroxide works well on light-colored granite.

Another method to remove wine, ink, or any other non-oil stain is to mix molding plaster     and pure bleach into a paste. Apply for 30 minutes, remove, and rinse.

For oil-based or fat-based stains, create a paste of molding plaster and water. Keep it       on the stain for 3 hours and then remove and rinse.

Your granite countertop care should include re-applying a sealant every 6 months. The      sealant wear is often undetectable so even if it does not look worn, you should still            reseal twice a year.

New disinfectant cleaners on the market now come in formulas designed for granite           countertops - purchase this type of product if you prefer disinfectant cleaners to other      cleaning options.

For any problem that you can't handle on your own or are not familiar with, call a              professional to handle the cleaning job.

Use coasters, especially for alcoholic and citrus beverages, as the acid in these drinks       can dull the stone's surface.

Keep hot items off the surface. Granite countertops are often marketed as heat               resistant but you should never put really hot pots directly on the granite. Use a trivet.

Always test these cleaning methods on small discreet area for color fastness or granite      damage.