Granite Countertop Maintenance: The Truth

Granite Countertop Maintenance: The Truth

Granite countertops in Tampa Bay have been a popular style among the homeowners for quite some time now. And why should it not be? Granite counters are durable, beautiful and do not require any heavy maintenance. There is a chance that you might get confused because of the many myths and misconceptions that keep getting passed around about the granite. But in reality maintaining granite is a piece of cake but only after you learn some simple and correct methods of cleaning and proper maintenance. In this article, we are going to tell you everything you need to know about Granite countertop maintenance.

 

Is Granite Countertop Maintenance Hard?

Nowadays, getting knowledge is not the issue but getting the correct knowledge is. You can find a lot of conflicting advice about cleaning and maintaining granite countertops almost everywhere, some of which are absolutely wrong while some only partially correct. So, it becomes easy to get confused and frustrated. As a result, you might do something that you are not supposed to while experimenting with what works. But don’t you worry, we are here to help. Here you are going to find some expert advice and proven solutions and methods for the maintenance of your granite countertops in Tampa Bay.

Granite is a natural stone and as with most stone products that means it will be very durable and long lasting. Your countertops are going to age beautifully, and the chances are that they will even outlast you and your home.

However, it is possible for granite to get some damage and as everyone knows, “prevention is better than cure.” So the best piece of advice for maintaining granite countertops is to prevent any problems before they happen. The best part about preventing your countertops from receiving any damage is that it is a very easy task. And in case of a granite repair, you do not need to worry as well, granite repair is possible.

 

Maintenance is easy, and you don’t require possessing any special talents or state of the art tools to protect, clean and to keep your granite countertops looking flawless and beautiful for a lifetime. All you need to do is to properly seal your countertops which will prevent the water and stains from penetrating. Sealing is only required about once per year, and for some granites, sealing might only be required after a longer period but that all depends upon the amount of use and type of granite.

 

How To Maintain Granite Countertops Daily?

One of the main reasons why granite has got so popular among the homeowners is the fact that it requires very low maintenance. Granite is hard, heat resistant and resilient to scratches or dents. All this makes this stone a perfect choice for your kitchen countertops which require no regular maintenance. However, the question arises, for granite countertop maintenance; do I need to clean them daily?

Well, answer to this question requires some explaining. There is no doubt in the fact that daily maintenance will help you keep your counters in perfect shape for long. But this daily maintenance only requires you to wipe off the spills with a damp cloth and a few drops of dishwashing soap, then dry it with a non-damp cloth, and you are all good.

If your countertop is sealed, even spills left overnight will not stain. But it is always better to take some precautionary measures. You should develop the habit of wiping off the spills as soon as they occur and avoid rubbing these spills as they could get spread and result in larger stains.

 

Do I Need Special Products for Granite Countertops Maintenance?

No, you do not need any special products for your granite countertop maintenance. However, special revitalizers can be helpful to make the cleaning task a bit easier. Make sure your countertop is properly sealed before using revitalizers. Many fabricators seal the slabs before complete*ing them, but not all fabricators provide a quality sealing on the first seal. Depending on the level of wear and tear, factory sealants can last for many years. To check whether your countertop needs sealing or not, perform a simple water test. All you got to do is drop a few drops of water on the countertop. If the water beads up, your countertop is perfectly sealed. But if the water does not bead up and gets absorbed, then you need to reseal your counter.

Following are some steps that explain the right way to clean your countertops.

 

Remove watermarks and stains:  For all types of stain including rings, dark spots or oil stains, use a poultice made up of baking soda and water: place, this poultice over the stain on the countertop. Then, use a plastic wrap to cover the paste and let it remain like this for 24 to 48 hours. The baking soda in the paste will absorb the stain from the counter. But if the stain remains, then try sprinkling cornstarch on top of the stain, cover it with plastic wrap and let it sit for a few hours. The cornstarch may absorb the stain that was left over.

Cleaning your countertops: Clean your counter with a solution consisting of lukewarm water and mild dish soap. Acid cleaners like vinegar, lemon, lime or anything having components of ammonia or bleach should be avoided. Do not use any of these chemicals frequently as they will weaken the sealant over time. Use a nubby washcloth or a microfiber cloth to wipe your counter with the soap and water solution.

After you are done with wiping your counters, dry them with a soft cloth completely, so there is no water left, as it might cause a watermark if left sitting there for too long.

The Truth About Granite Countertops Maintenance

The truth about granite countertop maintenance is it is easy when compared to other countertops. Granite countertops should be properly sealed when completed*, and then the seal needs to be updated about once per year. If those rules are followed then everything after that is easy. Just a little warm water and soap when needed to keep your countertops clean. Take your maintenance to the next level by using a granite revitalizer (similar to waxing a car) and your countertops will shine like new for a lifetime.

We hope that this article answered all the questions regarding the cleaning and caring of the granite countertops. Now it’s your turn to decide whether granite is a perfect option for your kitchen remodeling or not. If you need help request a free consultation today from Tampa Bay Marble & Granite.