How To Care For Your Granite Countertop
Posted on: 13 August 2019
Your kitchen countertops are one of the first things you notice when you walk into the room. A beautiful, spacious counter can make cooking a joy. When you're ready to upgrade your kitchen counters, consider investing in granite countertops. Granite comes in a variety of beautiful, eye-catching colors, and it's easy to care for. Here are four tips to help you take good care of your new granite countertop:
1. Use a cutting board
Granite is prized for its beauty and durability. It's a hard stone that can withstand everyday wear and tear without showing scratches or scuff marks. However, it's not a good idea to cut vegetables and other items directly on your granite countertop. Knives can easily mar the surface of your granite. Plus, your knives will get dull faster from impact with the granite. Save your cutlery and countertops by investing in cutting boards for food prep purposes.
2. Don't store heavy items above your countertop
Granite countertops are made from thin sheets of granite. They're hollow inside in order to lighten their weight since granite is naturally very heavy. Because of this design, dropping a heavy item onto your counter may chip or break its surface. Protect your countertop by storing heavy items in a safe location. Don't suspend them above your counter or place them on shelves in a precarious position.
3. Reseal your countertop annually
Granite countertops are treated with a special sealant to protect them from the wear and tear of daily life in the kitchen. Over time, this sealant will wear off. In order to keep your countertop looking great year after year, you should have it resealed annually. Ask your kitchen countertop supplier what type of sealant they recommend. They may have a brand they prefer and trust. If you'd like to get away with resealing your countertop less often, you should choose a darker color of granite, such as black or grey, instead of lighter colors.
4. Never clean with harsh chemicals
In order to preserve your counter's natural beauty, you should avoid using harsh chemicals on it. In general, avoid using any substance that's too acidic or too basic. Bleach and ammonia can damage your granite countertop, and so can natural cleaners like vinegar and lemon juice. Most spills can be wiped up with a damp cloth. Bigger messes can be cleaned with warm, soapy water. Don't use anything abrasive on your countertop. Soft rags and paper towels should do the job just fine.
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