Caring for your countertops is of huge importance, no matter what material they are made from. While a granite countertop is one of the more durable options on the market, you should still care for your worktops to ensure that they look as good as new and to ensure that you are protecting your investment. So, with that being said, read on to discover some useful tips on caring for your granite countertops.
How to care for granite
- Use a cutting board – One of the most important things to do is make sure you use a cutting board. Granite can scratch so you will want to avoid cutting directly onto the stone.
- Use a sponge or soft cloth – There is no need to use anything abrasive when cleaning your granite worktops. You can find granite cleaner sprays on the market, which have been specially designed for use with this material. For quick clean-ups, though, all you need is some warm water and a soft cloth. If you use too much soapy water this can build-up and cause the granite to lose its shine.
- Blot any spills straight away – Another tip to ensure you maintain the longevity of your granite countertops is to blot up spills immediately. While acidic substances, like soda, tomato sauce, fruit juices, coffee, and wine, will not etch granite like they do marble, they could stain the surface. The same goes for cooking oil that is not cleaned properly.
Things to avoid
There are also a number of things that you should not do when you are trying to protect your granite countertops. This includes the following:
- Don’t store liquids directly on the countertop – Whether it is creams or cooking oils, you should not store them directly onto the worktop. This is something that is often overlooked. However, spillages and leaks easily happen, which can cause damage.
- Don’t sit on your countertop – It can be very tempting to sit on your countertop if you have guests around and there is nowhere else to sit. However, while granite may be hard, it is not very flexible, and sitting on it could cause the backing to crack.
- Don’t use an abrasive cleaner – Even if something is labeled as a soft abrasive, you should not use it when cleaning your granite countertop. These can dull the surface and cause scratches.
- Don’t use orange, lemon, ammonia, or vinegar as a cleaner – There are lots of tutorials online directing you on how to make your own cleaner using these substances. However, this is not recommended when cleaning your countertops. This is because most brand-name and common household products are not suitable. Vinegar and ammonia-based cleaners need to be avoided. All you need is a soft cloth and some warm water.
- Stay away from generic cleaners – Last but not least. Degreasers, bleach, and other chemical and common cleaners contain ingredients that will degrade the sealer on the granite, leaving the stone susceptible to staining.
So there you have it: some top tips on how to care for your granite countertops. We hope that you have found the advice provided above useful. And if you are thinking about updating your current granite countertop or you want to install a granite countertop for the first time, then give the experts at A & V Granite a call at (416) 663-1889. We also invite you to visit our showroom to see our impressive collection of granite slabs. Our showroom is located at 300 Norfinch Dr. North York, ON M3N 1Y4.