Keeping Granite Countertops Clean
Are your granite countertops starting to seem dull as a rock?
Don’t let your new countertops keep you from cooking! Granite countertops are meant to be used, since they’re incredibly durable and scratch resistant. Maintaining and restoring granite countertops is quite simple.
Clean As You Cook
The best way to keeping granite countertops clean is to wipe up a spill soon after it occurs. Acidic liquids can eat through the protective sealant of the granite. Dried on food and liquids are hard to remove since you can’t use abrasives on your countertops. Since granite is porous, stains which get past the protective barrier can be permanent!
Stay Shiny and Streak-Free
To clean granite and keep it from becoming permanently stained, you should use cleaners designed specifically for granite countertops. You can wipe down the counters with a wet sponge and mild anti-bacterial dish detergent, and then follow up with the cleaner. It leaves the surface of the granite shiny and will not strip its protective seal like other chemical cleaners. Streaks are more noticeable on some granite countertops than others. If you have streaking problems, consider microfiber cleaning cloths or mitts to wipe your granite countertops.
Protect Your Granite
You should re-seal granite every one to two years (or every 6 months to one year if it gets a lot of use). You should use a non-toxic sealer on food preparation areas. Sealing granite creates a non-porous layer on the surface, which protects the naturally porous granite, and will help prevent stains and damage. There are many granite sealing products on the market, as well. Don’t use products that have acids, because strong detergents and corrosive liquids dull the polished granite surface.
A less expensive alternative, however, is car wax (in a can – not the liquid spray wax). Car wax contains virtually the same type of sealant as the specialty granite seals, and will do the same job if used according to the directions. In fact, some sealers are just relabeled car wax. Higher-end granite sealers are called “impregnators,” which penetrate below the surface to basically clog up all the pores. You can find cleaners at hardware stores or get them from a stone dealer. Remember to always test these cleaning methods on small discreet area for color fastness or granite damage.
Keep those countertops shiny! By: Lionel Young Article Source: http://www.ArticleDashboard.com Lionel Young writes about kitchen design and home remodeling. Visit www.elegantcab.com for more articles. Elegant Kitchen Cabinets services the Bay Area and the Peninsula, California.
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