watermarks on granite

[librarylady]

I have a black polished granite worktop, which has watermarks and limescale on it. my water is very hard and I think limescale remover will etch the surface of the granite. It is especially bad round the back of the sink where the water splashes. Do you know of anything I can use- to remove it- all the limescale removers seem to say do not use on natural stone.

[Buenchico]

If I'd paid more attention in my O-level Chemistry lessons I might be a little more confident about answering this question than I am now! I'm trying to remember whether hydrogen peroxide dissolves limescale or not! The reason that I'm thinking of hydrogen peroxide is because it seems to be safe to use on granite, according to this site:
http://www.ehow.com/how_18200_clean-granite-countertop.h tml

If there's nothing on that site which is of any use (and fellow ABers can't come up with anything), I'd suggest phoning around firms under the following categories, in Yellow Pages, to seek advice: 'Granite Merchants', 'Stone Merchants', 'Stone Cleaners & Restorers'.

Chris

[honeyhen]

Hi there,

White vinegar is excellent for removing limescale - from anything!  We use it on our taps and work surfaces, and the shower head etc. 

Hope this helps.

[gardenknowin]

Patio cleaner (Disclean) also works very well but (a) wear rubber gloves; (b)wash well afterwards - the granite, that is! - , with a solution of bicarb; and c) beware, it STINKS - but it works

[gardenknowin]

PS you could also try sprinkling plain white flour over it and scrubbing with 000 grade wire-wool

[banth]

I have to say vinegar is excellent, I descaled my kettle with it last week, just bought some ordinary malt vinegar from the supermarket. The own brand stuff cost 19p for a litre so it's well worth a try before buying expensive products that do the same thing!

[lady_p_gold]

Someone answered this question a while back you might be able to find it, I have the same granite tops and I use diluted vinegar and then wipe over water and then with a towel to make sure water does not stay on there to make marks.  I found in Waitrose last week an E cloth that came with a special glass cloth and that seems to give it a very nice shine.   I am having the same problem with my bathroom which is all in natural stone and I am worried about using those descaling products ....  I am toying with getting a water softener but I bet that will be expensive.

[gardenknowin]

Have a look at www.marblelife.com

[librarylady]

thank you very much, I shall try vinegar on the bit behind the taps as its not too visible- it does look like you are not supposd to either get it wet to start with or use abrasive or acidic cleaners, the marble life website was american so i cant buy their products, but thank you all the same