Keep Your Granite Nice
Everyone knows that upgrading to granite countertops increases the value of your home plus you get to enjoy their easy maintenance, beauty and durability. Learn how to keep your granite countertops clean and your beautiful kitchen’s counters will give you joy to last a lifetime.
Granite’s warmth, exquisiteness and beauty are breathtaking. Granite makes a great choice for kitchen countertops because of its heat resistance, scratch resistance and it is mostly immune to household acids such as citrus fruits and vinegar. Although it is low maintenance and durable, damage can occur.
The best way to keeping granite countertops clean is to wipe up a spill soon after it occurs. Acidic liquids can eat through the protective sealant of the granite. Dried on food and liquids are hard to remove since you can’t use abrasives on your countertops. Because granite is porous, stains which get past the protective barrier can be permanent!
For regular cleaning, be sure to use a microfiber cloth to dust off countertop surfaces. You can wipe down the granite countertops as needed using mild soap and water. Once a week wipe down with a damp cloth and a stone cleaner formulated with a neutral pH. Never use harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners. They can scratch, pit, and etch the surface of the stone.
Use Soft Microfibers
• Polished granite countertops are a bit more delicate so be careful not to use your counter for cutting or chopping.
• Never drag appliances, pans or pots across the countertop.
• Stay away from abrasive or harsh cleaning products.
You should re-seal granite periodically. Be sure you use a non-toxic sealer on food preparation areas. Sealing granite creates a non-porous layer on the surface, which protects the naturally porous granite, and will help prevent stains and damage. There are many granite sealing products on the market, as well. Don’t use products that have acids, because strong detergents and corrosive liquids dull the polished granite surface. Be sure to ask the manufacturer what they recommend.
With just a little care and maintenance you can make sure that your granite counter tops look amazing for a lifetime.
