The Care Of Granite Countertops

The care of granite countertops is crucial to keeping bacteria down and keeping your family healthy. Most countertops can be cleaned with soap and water, but some situations require special attention. Always check your manufacturer's instructions before cleaning your countertops, especially if they are made of natural material, such as stone or wood.

Many people believe that granite is impervious to damage or stains. This isn't so. If you cut food directly on the surface, it will scratch.

If you spill dark-colored fruit juices, or cooking oils on granite, and let it sit too long, it will stain. You should also avoid putting coffee, tomato sauce, vinegar, and lemon oil directly onto your granite tops. They have an acidic quality that will discolor the stone.

The proper care of granite countertops includes using a disinfectant at least once a year (think of it as part of your spring cleaning routine). Household bleach, mixed with an equal amount of water, will do the trick.

Odors can be removed by sprinkling baking soda over the countertop and wiping with a damp sponge. Rinse with water and ALWAYS dry thoroughly with a towel. Moist surfaces encourage bacteria growth.

Normally, you can clean your granite tops with dishwashing liquid and a sponge. You can also try rubbing whitening toothpaste over the surface and then wipe clean with a damp cloth. Try not to use harsh chemicals as they will dull the surface. Then you'll have to polish it again.

After removing a greasy or oily stain, make sure to rinse completely with water and dry thoroughly with a towel. You can purchase granite polish (hardware stores, furniture stores, or stone suppliers) to restore the luster. Applying a sealer to your granite every 6 months or so will minimize the possibility of staining.

Never put anything directly from the stove onto the countertop. There's a good possibility that this will leave a burn mark on the stone (several varieties of granite seem to be less resistant to burn marks than others).

If the mark is superficial, you can sand it off with an emery board or very fine sandpaper (200 grit or more), and then polishing again.

I'm trying to cover all the bases here, but I don't want it to sound like the care of granite countertops is a full time job. Usually, a damp sponge is all you need.

The most important thing to keep in mind is to react quickly and clean spills immediately. Don't use anything abrasive unless you want to polish afterward.

Here's a good place to buy cleaning products for your home. GreatCleaners.com - Home of OxiClean, Orange Glo, Kaboom, Arm & Hammer, Brillo, Cameo, Lambert Kay & more.

Granite countertops are in a class of their own when it comes to beauty. I'm sure they add a lot to the decor of your home and make you feel good every day.

Any questions about the care of granite countertops, contact me by clicking here.

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