Maintaining Granite Countertops: It’s Easier Than You Think!
Granite is a natural stone that is used for both interior and exterior installations, including countertops and architectural accents such as water features, flooring, and wall cladding. Granite countertops are a luxurious and stylish addition to any home. Not only are they beautiful, but they are also incredibly durable and easy to maintain. Keeping your granite countertops looking their best is a relatively straightforward task requiring minimal effort. With the right supplies and cleaning routine, you can ensure that your granite countertops look new for years to come.
Granite Maintenance Made Easy:
6 Pro Tips…
Regardless of the maintenance requirements, all-natural stone countertops need consistent attention to maintain their appearance. The following tips will help you maintain your countertop in top shape.
- Applying a sealer
- Clear and clean the countertop
- Cooking precautions
- Use trivets and hot pads for meal preparation.
- Clean up spills immediately
- Avoid placing too much weight on granite countertops
Let’s see each point in detail….
Applying a sealer
Granite countertops, like all natural stone surfaces, need to be sealed to prevent stains and liquid damage. Although the process of sealing granite is simple and quick, you will typically only have to do it once a year. How often you have to re-seal the countertop will depend on what type of granite you choose. Lighter-colored granite will need to be re-sealed more often than granite that is a darker color.
Clear and clean the countertop
While you can use soap and warm water, there are many cleaners available on the market that are designed for use with granite. Apply the cleaner and wipe your counter down. Make sure to use only cleaners or dish soap that is pH neutral, rather than acidic cleaners such as vinegar or ammonia. If you use acidic cleaners, you might remove any sealant from the countertop, which will leave the surface vulnerable to damage.
Cooking precautions
When you place acidic products like lemons, oranges, or nectarines directly onto the granite, you may stain the stone. Bacteria from meat kept directly on the countertop can also damage the stone by getting inside its pores. Oil stains created by oil bottles or containers tend to discolor the granite. This is more likely to happen if the bottle is always kept directly on the surface at the same position most of the time.
Use trivets and hot pads for meal preparation
You can avoid finger injuries by using a cutting board while chopping. Save your knives from getting blunt edges, and save your countertop from developing ridges. Never place hot pans directly onto the granite surface; use trivets to catch them instead.
Clean up spills immediately
If you want to keep your granite looking great, clean up spills as soon as you make them. Even if the surface is properly sealed, it’s never a good idea to leave any spills sitting on your countertop. Particularly hazardous spills include coffee, wine, juice, soda, tomato sauce, and cooking oil.
Avoid placing too much weight on granite countertops
Although granite countertops are durable and hard, they are often not very flexible. Furthermore, they lack a plywood backing, which makes them vulnerable to damage if you apply too much weight in one spot.
In sum, it is important to use granite countertops with care because they are very delicate and easy to be stained. Granite is a natural stone and we should apply it in our homes with certain precautions. The most common problems that can happen during using the materials are water stains and scouring. To maintain such a precious material, it is advisable to wipe it up with a damp sponge after use It is also recommended to clean up the stain immediately before it spreads over the surface. To repair chips or scratches, you can have your do-it-yourself solution at home. Your last resort would be to contact professional stone masons that specialize in granite applications…
