5 Steps to Take Care of Your Granite Countertops
For the most part, granite countertops are a great investment on many different levels. They are quite durable, saving you from any unfortunate breaks or cracks. Plus, they’re really easy to clean, helping you to avoid having to spend precious time when cleaning them thoroughly.
Also, most of their lovely colours are great for hiding any stains that cannot be taken care of immediately. It is quite easy to love granite countertops, but how can you maintain them in the way that they really deserve? In the guide below, you will find five great tips for maintaining your granite countertops.
1. Care for the Coat
It is highly recommended that you seal your granite countertops. Over time, any food products such as cooking oil, red wine, or even pizza grease may begin to soak into your countertop, effectively staining them. Purchasing a sealer from your local hardware store can easily remedy this problem.
Plus, you only have to reseal your countertop every few years or so. A good rule of thumb for checking whether or not it is time to reseal your countertop is to leave a wet washcloth on the counter for several minutes. If the stone becomes discoloured, then it is time to reseal.
2. Clean Thoroughly
Stone is pretty darn tough, right? You would not think that you have to worry about many substances actively harming your granite countertops, but unfortunately you actually do. Anything spilled upon your countertops that are particularly acidic, such as citrus or vinegar, can really be bad for granite countertops. This is why it is quite important to quickly clean up any spills that may happen when preparing or eating food on your countertop, plus it is always good to keep your surfaces nice and clean, no matter the material.
3. Simple Cleaning
Cleaning can be tough sometimes, even being so difficult that you need special cleaning tools and products. Well, it is not advised to use these methods to clean your granite countertops. Believe it or not, experts say that cleaning your granite surfaces with a simple soft sponge and warm, soapy water is the best way that you can possibly clean them. It is also recommended that you clean the surfaces at the end of each day, or as soon as a spill or accident occurs.
4. Handle with Care
As was stated above, granite can be pretty sturdy in the face of many daily abuses. That being said, you have to go easy on your surfaces, as chips, cracks, stains, and even scratches can occur during the hectic day to day life of the standard family. Countertops provide a convenient surface to rest many things on, but you should definitely put a bit of thought into what you place upon the counter as well as how hard you set heavier objects down. After all, no one wants a chipped, cracked, and stained granite countertop demolishing the wonderful appearance of their kitchen.
5. Put Thought Into Your Countertop Colour
This is more of a side tip for future maintenance. Granite countertops can be found in several different varieties, and you should consider which colour will be most helpful in hiding potential stains that may happen. Think about your favourite foods and what you prepare the most, as well as if those meals are a bit messy or not. You will want a colour that can potentially help hide any stains that may come from those meal preparations. It is, of course, much easier to deal with a stain if you could barely see it in the first place, right?
