Preserving Granite Countertops
Switching to granite countertops is a decision one will never regret. It’s one of the best investments that will not just increase the value of your home, but the overall kitchen experience. But just like any investment for your home, proper maintenance and early prevention is key to making your countertop looking like it’s brand-new.
Here are some quick tips:
Avoid acid
Anything that has a high percentage of acid, whether it’s from fruits or cleaning products, must be quickly wiped away. This is called hydrolysis, a process of chemical weathering due to acidic water. A mild and gentle soap will be more than enough to clean the surface. But if you’re still concerned, there are specific cleansers just for granite. And don’t worry, a few minutes of an acidic spill will not damage the countertop. It would usually take several hours for it to permeate the layers. Therefore, stains and tears rarely happen.
Avoid abrasive tools and products
For example, using the rougher part of a sponge may be a little too harsh. This may cause microscopic scratches that may increase the sensitivity of absorbing unwanted products. Using a cleaning product with many chemicals can also have the same effect. A soft cloth would be ideal in removing spills without harming the polished surface.
Clean up as quickly as possible
This is the best way of preventing any damage to your countertop. For instance, hard water stains will be hard to get rid of and would require a cleanser that may be too harsh. So washing it off immediately is the best way of minimizing the occurrence of stains and other damages.
As you can see, maintenance of your granite countertop is fairly simple. It’s actually quite rare to have massive stains and major chipping on its surface since it really is hard. So if you don’t already have one, consider the ease of preserving a granite countertop as opposed to the one you have now.