My granite countertop is starting to look dingy and dull. How do I get it bright and shiny again?

“Usually a dingy countertop is the result of someone using a product to clean their countertop that’s not best suited to clean the granite,” said Merritt Bradsher, owner of Hearth & Stone in Raleigh, which specializes in large custom granite pieces for the kitchen. Homeowners often use a sealer- or polisher-type product for their regular cleanings. “Just like a piece of fine furniture, they’re in effect polishing it too much, and it leaves a buildup,” said Bradsher.

The polisher and sealer types of cleaners are fine to use—but only once a month at most. For regular cleanings, use a natural stone cleaner instead. “Anything that says ‘for natural stone’ is good for granite,” said Bradsher. Some examples of daily cleaners for granite are StoneGlide® Countertop Wipes and Marbamist® spray cleaner, both made by Stone Care International®, and Granite Gold® Daily Cleaner, available in spray or wipe form. Definitely avoid using abrasive cleaners or products containing ammonia, both of which will dull the stone.

If you’ve got buildup, how do you get back to a shiny square one? “The best thing to do is to stop using that product,” said Bradsher. “Time is going to be your best friend, because you need to basically clean off and wear off the stuff that you’ve been putting on that countertop.” Other frequent causes of dull buildup are hard water, and, in bathrooms, hair spray mist.

If that sparkle doesn’t return or you’ve got dingy stains that you don’t know how to eliminate, “call one of the stone fabricators in the area and let them come look at it,” says Bradsher. “Don’t fight it yourself; if you use too harsh a chemical, you can irreparably change the granite.”