To keep your granite in the best condition, you must be mindful of a few things when caring for it. These are simple and easy-to-follow tips so there is no need to be overwhelmed because caring for your granite is easier than you might think. Here are a few quick tips and tricks to ease the pressure of maintaining granite in your home.
How To Avoid Scratches and Cracks
Despite granite countertops being incredibly durable, scratches and potential chips may still happen. When lugging around heavy items, make sure to avoid banging them on the countertop. Be careful when you handle pots, pans, and small appliances because these are the biggest culprits behind countertop accidents.
Another risk you should take into account is the possibility of scratches. Though granite is one of the harder materials for your countertop, it can still be susceptible to scratches when hit with sharp or equally hard surfaces.
Although incredibly durable, granite tops remain vulnerable to cracks. Avoid standing or sitting on your countertops as extreme pressure may cause cracks that can be difficult to repair.
Preventing Stains
Aside from scratches and cracks, staining is another issue you need to look out for when keeping your countertop in its best shape. Fortunately, it is much easier to tackle spills and stains on granite surfaces due to the nature of the finish. Typically, when cleaning spills such as coffee, tea, or grease from food items, a simple wipe-up is all you need to prevent any sort of visible stain.
Blot these spills as soon as they occur. When drinking from a glass or mug, make sure to use coasters as a preventive measure to keep your countertop in good condition. You can also use hot pads when placing hot pots onto your countertop. While granite is incredibly durable, the stone can still suffer from a thermal shock that can potentially lessen its overall lifespan.
General Maintenance Keeping
Consider having a regular maintenance routine when taking care of your granite. Remember this material can last for decades when given the proper level of care. Make sure to take all the necessary precautions to keep your granite countertop clean and shiny.
On a daily basis, use a soft cloth mildly soaked in warm water to clean any spills and keep the granite as shiny as the day it was bought. For dried stains, spray your countertop with a liquid cleaning agent safe for granite, and wipe it with a dry cloth to practice disinfection and general cleaning regularly.
As part of a weekly routine, remove any items from the top of the counter so you can wipe off any dust, debris, and stains you might have missed during your daily cleaning. This is an excellent practice to keep your kitchen and countertop squeaky clean.
Lastly, another option you can consider is polishing your granite periodically. Although it is recommended to polish your granite monthly, alternate months or quarterly polishing can work too if you don’t use the granite often. This practice is key to keeping that brand new shine on your granite for years to come.
Consider Added Protection (Sealing)
If you want to add another layer of protection, explore sealing your granite countertops. By doing so, liquids and oil will less likely be absorbed onto the stone making it easier for you to keep them clean. Sealing adds an added layer of protection to the granite and can help it last for decades without losing its shine.
At Tops Kitchen Cabinets, we offer a wide selection of granite countertops that can be part of your dream kitchen! With the highest quality of granite, our countertops are durable and reliable. Contact our amazing team so we can assist you in your kitchen remodeling journey!