Granite countertop care is much easier than you might think.
In fact when you bought them, you were told caring for
granite countertops was going to be pretty low maintenance.
This is true, but you probably weren't told how to take care of granite countertop.
There are a few things you need to
know about how to clean granite countertops and how to protect them.
The most important thing to know about granite countertop care is keeping them protected with a penetrating sealer.
Your granite countertops were most likely sealed when they were installed and you should continue to seal them every 3-5 years for interior,
and possibly every year for exterior.
Sealing granite countertops
is very important because just like all natural stones, granite is a porous stone, which makes it
susceptible to staining agents.
Some granites are more porous than others, but unless it's a very dense granite
(e.g. black absolute), it most likely will need to be sealed.
Sealing your granite with a
penetrating sealer
does not make your granite countertops bulletproof. You still should follow good cleaning habits for taking care of granite countertops.
Remember not use vinegar or windex when cleaning your countertops, as the acidity of the
products can break down the sealer.
Aggressive cleaners not only can damage your granite, but can also deteriorate any sealer that's been applied
to your granite.
Check out this
granite countertop cleaner
page for all your granite, marble or man made countertops cleaning needs.
For maintaining the high polish and adding an invisible barrier to help protect your granite countertops from
finger prints and smudge marks, use a
granite countertop polish.
Caring for granite countertops is easy and can be very low maintenance.
As with any of the surfaces in your home, all spills should be cleaned up right away, to protect from the liquid
seeping into the granite and staining it.
Avoid letting standing water evaporate on the surface of your granite surface, as this can leave unwanted calcium
deposits, which sometimes can be difficult to remove.
Also avoid wet pans, especially iron cookware, which do rust and will stain your granite countertops.
If you don't have a good
granite cleaner,
hot or warm water is perfectly fine for granite
countertop care. Dish soap can be used as well, but remember using dish soap can leave unwanted residues.
Using harsh chemicals to clean your granite countertops breaks down the sealers and should be avoided.
Something you should know about granite. It was formed deep within the earth and underwent immense heat
and pressures before being uplifted to the surface where we were able to mine it.
The minerals that make up granite are very hard and not much can scratch or damage them.
Only something very hard can scratch the surface, like diamonds or quartz (sand). This means granite
can still be damaged, but not very likely.
It's inevitable that your granite countertop will out last us here on earth, but the key is for it to
look good while it's in your home.
If you have a polished granite countertop, try this
granite countertop polish
to help keep them looking great!
When it comes to granite countertop care, how to clean granite countertops or just maintaining natural stone we
strive to help educate our customers on the best protection they can have, helping them save time and money in
costly restoration costs down the road.