8 Tips to Get the Most of Your Granite Countertops

Most homeowners will agree that granite countertops are some of the best that you can get. Not only are they durable, but they are quite aesthetically appealing - making them both functional as well as beautiful. 

Investing in durable granite countertops does not mean that you can neglect to clean and maintain them. For this reason, below we offer some great tips to get the most out of your granite countertops:

 

1.   Avoid droping heavy items the granite countertops. Although this material is quite hard and sturdy, it is prone to chips and can even break if you are not careful. This is especially true if the countertops take a hit on one of their fissure lines. You should be careful when putting down heavy object on the countertops as well as when you are lifting them.

2.   Never stand or sit on granite countertops. Just as heavy object can break or chip them, placing too much weight on them at a time could also cause the countertops to break.

3.   Use cutting boards when cutting vegetable, fruits, met and so on. Most people are quite tempted to simply cut these items directly on the countertops. Remember that the countertops come with a sealer so as to protect the granite. Cutting directly on the granite will damage the sealer and possible crack the granite. In addition to this you will also ruin your kitchen knives.

4.   Never place hot pot or pans on top of granite. Although it is quite difficult to melt or burn the granite, the heat from the pots and pans will definitely ruin the sealer that the granite has been treated with. Place the hot pots and plans on a hot pad.

5.   Clean granite countertops on a daily basis. When using a granite countertop cleaner, use a soft cloth and some warm water or a mild granite cleaner. This will ensure that dirt and dust are kept at bay without interfering with the shine of the granite. If a spill occurs, ensure that it is cleaned up immediately so as to avoid any staining. If extreme staining does occur, you may need to invest in granite cleaning services.

6.   Buff granite countertops from time to time. It is good to take the time and buff granite countertops once in a while so as to get rid of any streaking that may have occurred over time. This can be easily done with an old terry cloth towel that is no longer in use.

7.   Polish the granite, there are stone polishes specifically for granite to ensure that they remain looking shiny and new plus help prevent any staining from occurring. This can also help to restore granite to look like new.

8.   Seal the granite occasionally. When you have the granite installed in your home, it will be sealed at the time of installation however, this granite sealer will disintegrate over time and would be as useful to the granite anymore. As such, you should seal the granite after every few years so as to increase its shelf life.

Due to how beautiful they are as well as durable, granite countertops are considered to be one of the best options one could make for their home. Using the best practices of granite countertops care and maintenance goes a long way to best ensure lasting allure and functionality.

Tips for Cleaning & Maintaining Natural Stone

To best ensure that your natural stone sustains a lifetime of aesthetics and durability, proper care and maintenance is essential. Natural stone is typically more porous than other cermaics, requiring a more intricate approach to cleaning and upkeep.

Many of the cleaners commonly used used for ceramic tile can end up staining or damaging stone. It's thus important when cleaning a natural stone, such as granite, you use a cleaning solution that's free of acids and chemicals. Even a light mixture of vinegar and water can potential harm natural stone over time.

In addition to what you use to clean and maintain natural stone, how you clean the natural stone is equally important. Because stone is more fragile than ceramics, small granules of dirt and sand can actually scratch the surface when cleaning. Therefore, you should always sweep the natural stone surface prior to cleaning it.

Cleaning Natural Stone

It is important that you only use cleaners that are specifically designed for natural stone. These types of cleaners will be acid-free and are concentrated neutral pH cleaners. This will ensure that the existing seal or wax-type coating is not blemished during the cleaning process.

Before cleaning granite or any natural stone, make sure the surface of the stone is dampened with clear water. This will help the cleaning solution to be more effective. The best way to apply stone cleaners is using a sponge or mop (typically for natural tile flooring) or by using a spray bottle or mister (typically for granite or natural stone countertops.) Once applied, allow the cleaning solution to sit for manufacturer's suggested amount of time. Next, carefull scrub the natural stone surface with a with a clean sponge, mop, or soft bristle brush.

Finishing Natural Stone

Once the natural stone has been effectively cleaned, you can periodically apply a finish or wax to further enhance the beauty of polished stone. First, apply the finish with a spray bottle and immediately buff the surface with a nylon pad. Depending on the age of the granite or natural stone, re-apply the polish or wax finishing solution as often as needed. You can typically find granite polish and sealants in retail stores our on the web.

Heavy-Duty Natural Stone Cleaning

In some areas where natural stone has been neglected, you may need to resort to a more heavy-duty stone cleaner to effectively remove dirt, grease, and floor finishes. In these case, try to find a heavy-duty granite or marble cleaner that has low amounts of concentrated organic cleaning compounds. These types of cleaning products are ideally concentrated to deeply clean natural stone without causing any harm or damage. You can also look into some refinishing kits that include everything you need for heavy-duty natural stone cleaning.

Maintaining and cleaning natural stone is an ongoing endeavor that takes the righe approach as well as diligence. We hop these tips will help you keep your granite or marble surfaces shining for many years to come.