How do I maintain my granite countertops?

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Granite Countertop Maintenance

Granite countertops are among the most beautiful and durable countertops on the market. The hardness, scratch resistance, and absorbency of granite varies, depending on the specific finish and composition of each countertop. Overall, granite materials have a very hard, scratch resistant surface and can easily be maintained. Nonetheless, you will need to be diligent about protecting your granite countertop so you can enjoy many years of beauty and brilliance in your kitchen. Here are a few simple steps you can take to ensure that lasting quality:

First, here are some general precautions about maintaining your granite:

Do Not place hot items directly on the granite surface. Doing this will compromise the finish and make your countertop more susceptible to staining and cracking.
Do Not use acidic products (i.e., cleaners containing lemon, vinegar, etc.) as such products can dull your countertop’s finish.
Do Not use abrasive cleaners such as scouring powders, dry cleaners, etc. Again these products will harm your finish and can greatly reduce the life of your countertop.

Okay, here are some tips for general maintenance of your granite countertops:

Liquid spills can penetrate the surface of the countertop so try to clean these spills up immediately to prevent staining.
Clean the surface with a neutral cleaner, stone soap, or mild dishwashing liquid and warm water. Rinse well and be sure to use a soft, clean cloth at every step.
Generally you can remove stains with a paste mixture consisting of flour, dishwashing liquid, and water (for grease stains use hydrogen peroxide instead of dishwashing liquid). You should apply the paste to the stain, cover with plastic wrap, and let sit overnight. Scrape the paste away with a wooden utensil and rinse well.

Finally, you should seal your granite countertop every couple of years to help maintain that like-new surface and shine you love. Be sure to ask your installer for recommendations on sealing and general maintenance for your specific type of granite. Enjoy!

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Michael Says:
April 2nd, 2008 at 4:32 am

Dan – Great overview of Granite care. It is nice to see someone be open and honest about the do’s and don’ts of granite, ecspecially the hot pot issue. At our countertop company in New Jersey we are often correcting the many myths out there about granite.

– Michael

dan Says:
April 3rd, 2008 at 1:54 pm

Michael,

Thank you for your compliment. It is rather amazing how a little bit of myth-busting does not make a product less appealing. In fact, some common sense knowledge regarding maintenance will make a project, such as new granite countertops, more worthwhile, practical, and long lasting!

CalFinder to Tickle Spring Kitchen Fancies » Remodeling Blog Says:
April 3rd, 2008 at 3:23 pm

[...] He’s been working in the remodeling trade for the past six years. Check out his latest pieces on maintaining granite countertops, treating lumber with oil-based stain, and window glazing and energy [...]