Granite Countertops Care- 2 Important Things To Know

Granite countertops are popular with home owners and interior designers, not only because of their intrinsic beauty and style, but more so because of their resistance to damage and their enduring quality. But despite their natural strength, proper granite countertops care has to be practiced to ensure their long life and dependability.

There are two essential aspects you must know with regard to proper granite countertops care. These are the short-term and long-term granite countertops care.

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When we say short-term granite countertops care, this is just the daily wiping and cleaning of your countertops. Most people would assume that plain wiping with a cloth and cleaner would do. Well, this is actually true. You don't need to have special skills or expensive products to go about the daily cleaning of your granite countertops. You don't even need to wipe very hard. Light wiping or dusting is sufficient granite countertops care.

However, you must be careful about the kind of cleaner you use. Granite countertops are coated with a sealant that protects the stone from stains and discoloration. Most cleaners are too acidic and may cause damage to the sealant. This will allow chemicals to seep in through the pores of the granite, and this, in turn, causes the discoloration. Many non-acidic cleaners are available in the supermarket, and you should use one of these for your daily cleaning.

The second part of granite countertops care involves long-term effects, and is only done about twice a year. We are talking about reapplying the sealant of your countertop. Even if you are careful in wiping your granite tiles, the sealant still wears off after long periods, and you will need to apply a new coat to maintain the quality of your countertop.

To find out where to buy a good granite countertop sealant, the best place to ask is at your countertop dealer. They will be able to recommend excellent products to you. If you want to use something cheaper, you can also apply a coat of regular car wax. This is an effective sealant for your granite countertops, and in most cases, costs a lot less than special granite sealants as well.

Applying the sealant does not take too much time or effort. You can do this yourself in just a short amount of time. It's just as simple as applying wax on your car.

Now you know the two important things about granite countertops care. Just make sure you do them well, and we guarantee you that your granite countertops will last you a lifetime.

Granite Countertops Care- 2 Important Things To Know

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Tips on Caring For Granite

Many people enjoying beautiful granite floors and countertops in their homes. They are stylish and beautiful.

But how can you take care of these beautiful floors and countertops and keep them looking their best at all times? To care for granite may not be as difficult as you may think. Get help with these tips on keeping your granite beautiful.

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o First of all you would want to use a stone sealer that impregnates the granite so that you have an invisible protective barrier for the surface of your granite countertops or flooring. Stone sealers are widely used by professionals in the stone fabricating industry.

o Even if you have granite showers this stone sealer will help you to keep your shower cleaner and it will keep your granite looking good. You may apply a stone sealer periodically depending on the usage of your granite.

o Then you may just use a stone soap, which is a highly concentrated water based cleaner that you can use for your granite tiles. This cleaner can be diluted according to the instructions on the container. Stone soap is specially formulated and is the best care for your granite as is does not leave any residues or cause the surface to be slippery, and it does not dull or damage your beautiful granite countertops and floors as some regular cleaners do.

o This will also eliminate your worries about having granite floors in the bathroom, since you may have been thinking that a granite floor may be slippery and dangerous in bathrooms. But you now you can have these beautiful granite flooring in your bathroom without a worry, by just simply using a stone soap.

o Stone soap does clean thoroughly all the way down into the pores of the your natural stone and you are able to remove dirt, dust, grease and food and even scuff marks.

o When you dilute the special stone soap you can put it into a spray bottle and just spray it on your granite counter tops and flooring and wipe it clean.

o This does not have to be difficult and it certainly keeps your home looking great and your beautiful granite will always still look like brand new even after many years.

o When installing granite floors and countertops you would want professionals take care of the installation and you may just ask them where to buy the needed stone soap and the stone sealer best in your local area.

So having a granite flooring and countertops is truly a wonderful experience and to keep them looking great always is so easy!

Tips on Caring For Granite

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How to Maintain Granite Countertops

Granite is a unique and beautiful stone that comes in a wide variety of shades and hues. It has been prized for centuries as a building material, due to its Granite countertops are a magnificent addition to any home, beautiful to behold, adding a touch of class and elegance to any room.

Granite countertops are also an important investment, adding to the beauty and resale value of your home. It is essential to provide proper care and maintenance for your countertops so that they can continue to look as good as they did when you just had them installed.

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Here are some tips to ensure you keep your granite countertops in top-notch condition:

Sealing: An effective seal helps reduce the chance of staining by creating a barrier between the granite and any compounds. The seal also keeps your countertops hygienic by preventing moisture from seeping into granite's naturally porous surface. Historically, resealing your granite countertops was recommended as frequently as every year. The sealers used were water-based or solvent-based and would break down over time and with the use of everyday household cleaners. It was recommended that countertops be cleaned with warm soapy water only. In the recent years, a lifetime sealer, often with a 15 year stain-warranty, has been introduced to the market, completely changing the traditional rules of how to care for granite countertops. These new sealers are more like treatments, which molecularly bond to the stone and don't need to be reapplied. They are strong enough to stand up to common household cleaners in many circumstances as well. Ask your countertop provider what type of sealers they offer.

Stains: Even if you've protected your granite with sealants, it's always a good idea to be proactive and prevent stains from setting. You should always clean up spills immediately, using a blotting technique rather than wiping to avoid spreading the spilled substance. Most stains can generally be removed by cleaning the surface with dish soap and water. You should never clean your countertops with acidic cleaners, as these can cause scratching. Afterwards, be sure to always dry the surface with a clean cloth.

Cleaning: For fantastic looking granite countertops, make sure you clean them regularly. Small particles of food or residue buildup can cause your countertops to feel "gritty" or lose its shine. With certain stones, you can even use a razor blade to strip away any stubborn grit - but make sure you ask your expert countertop provider first.

If you encounter any problems that you are unable to fix with the above suggestions, you should contact the dealer who sold you the countertops for additional assistance. However, granite is a very durable stone, and with the right amount of care, your granite countertops will look stunning and flawless for years to come.

How to Maintain Granite Countertops

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