Granite Countertops Care and Maintenance
Blot up spills immediately: Spilling anything other than water or mild soaps, especially acidic substances must be avoided on these countertops. Substances like wine, tomato sauce, fruit juices, alcoholic beverages, coffee and soft drinks won’t necessarily etch the granite like they do with marble, but they can stain the surface if neglected. Moreover, cooking oils can also leave their stains, if not wiped up immediately.
Sponge or soft cloth for cleaning: For regular cleaning as well as blotting up spilled liquids, paper towels, sponge or soft cloth must be used. Damp rags can be used to remove sticky residue from the countertop. Use warm water and mild soap to clean the granite. However, excessive and repeated use of soap can cause the surface to become dull. Steel wool or other cleaning products should not be used to clean the surface.
Avoid harsh cleaning products: Many common household cleaners, such as bleach, kitchen degreasers and glass cleaners contain acids, alkalies and other chemicals. These harsh cleaners can degrade the sealer, thereby making the granite susceptible to staining. Bathroom, grout, tile or tub cleaners must be strictly avoided. Moreover, ammonia, vinegar, orange or lemon must also not be used as cleaners.
Avoid adding weight to countertop edges: It is important to avoid putting unnecessary weight on the edges of the countertops. Increased pressure and weight can lead to damage of the edges. Activities such as using the countertop to climb up and clean something or reach a shelf, grabbing on to the countertop for balance, etc. must be avoided. All this can cause the attractiveness of the granite to diminish.
Use cutting boards: Granite is scratch resistant; however, this does not imply that one can use the countertop in place of a cutting board. Cutting boards must be used and all possibilities of causing scratches must be avoided. Moreover, cutting on granite will not only dull the stone, but will also damage the knives’ edges.
Use hot pads or trivets: Granite countertops can withstand heat very well, unlike other surfaces. Granite is a hard stone and can take tons of abuse, without getting damaged. However, the granite surface comprises some soft, thin strips of granite. These thin strips lack enough surface area to absorb all the heat from the piping hot pots and pans, thereby resulting into chipping and scratching of the lustrous surface. Generally scratches are not formed so easily, however, it is advisable to use trivets or hot pads.
Apply sealant for protection: Application of sealant on granite countertops, either semi-annually or annually, helps protect the granite surface from damage. When solvent based sealers are applied to the countertops, the surface achieves a new, sparkling look. Sealers do not eliminate the danger of staining; however, they do increase the window period of stain blotting time. Sealers generally need to be reapplied every year.
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