 How
to Care For Your Granite Countertops
A Few Things to Remember 
Sealing Your Granite Countertops
Stone surfaces are some of the easiest to maintain and with proper care,
your granite countertop will stay looking new for many years.
 A
Few Things to Remember:
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If a spill should
occur, clean up before the stain has a chance to penetrate the
surface. Granite is somewhat absorbent, and can absorb stains if
spills are left any length of time.
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Granite is most prone
to staining by oil and acid.
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Removing diamond
rings before cooking is recommended.
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Generally, you can
clean your granite countertop with a neutral cleaner and a soft
clean cloth. Consider using a disinfectant cleaner made specifically
for granite. With the growing popularity of granite countertops,
these should be easy to find.
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Using regular
cleaning chemicals on your countertop will strip the seal and leave
the porous surface of the granite exposed.
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Don’t be afraid to
call your stone dealer for suggestions on maintenance, care, and
cleaning.
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If stains and scratches do occur, there are many things you can do on your
own to remove them. Here are a couple of examples.
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Oil-based Stains (e.g.
grease, oil, milk)
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Mix a cup of flour, 1-2 tablespoons of
hydrogen peroxide with water to make a thick paste. Smear the paste
on the stain, cover it with plastic wrap and leave it over night.
Scrape away the mixture with a wooden utensil and rinse. You can
also remove oil-based stains with acetone, mineral spirits, or
bleach or ammonia diluted in water. (NEVER mix ammonia and bleach
together!).
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Organic Stains (e.g.
coffee, tea, fruit)
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Food stains like coffee, tea, or fruit
juices can usually be removed with hydrogen peroxide, combined with
a few drops of ammonia.
Rinse after washing with the solution and dry with a soft, clean
cloth.
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Non-Oil Stains (e.g.
ink, markets, wine)
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Use a lacquer thinner or acetone to
remove ink or marker stains from darker stone. On light-colored
granite, use hydrogen peroxide to these stains. This also works for
wine stains. Or, mix molding plaster and pure bleach into a paste
and spread over a wine, ink or other non-oil stain. Leave on for 30
minutes, then remove and rinse.
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Most people make the mistake of never re-sealing their granite countertops.
This needs to be done every year or so in order to ensure a non-porous
surface, which will protect the naturally porous granite and help prevent
stains and damage. The frequency of applications will depend on the sealer,
and the type of stone you have and the extent of your granite countertop
use.
Don’t let the fear of maintenance for natural stone scare you into avoiding
it. There is no substitute for natural stone when it comes to beauty,
practicality, and value.
Sealing Your Granite Countertops
 Granite
is a beautiful and popular choice for your countertops, but knowing how to
protect it from damage is important for maintaining its shine and
durability. Granite can be rather pricey, so you should make sure to protect
your investment. Like all stone, granite is porous. This makes it very
susceptible to stains because they can sink into its surface. Also, some
granite varieties have small cracks due to natural stresses on the stone
during formation.
Without being sealed, granite’s porous surface will easily stain and become
dull. While resealing granite annually is ideal, it is recommended that you
reseal it at least every three years. Sealers act as a guard that prevents
liquids and other harmful products from seeping into granite’s surface in
the first place. Sealing and resealing your granite countertops is not hard
to do, and is well worth the work.
It is important to reseal granite before its sealing has expired, but if
needed, there is a simple way to check if it needs new sealer. You can take
a few drops of water and drip them onto the countertop. If they absorb into
the surface, you need to reseal it. If the water beads up, then your sealer
is working.
When resealing granite, make sure the countertop surface is clean. You can
use soapy water or nonabrasive cleaners to ensure its cleanliness. You
should make sure to get rid of all dust as well. There are many sealants on
the market, so check with your installer for recommendations.
Although sealing your granite countertop is necessary and can protect it
from many harmful products, it will not protect it from everything. Liquids
should still be cleaned up promptly, especially oil products. In the case of
stubborn stains, it is recommended that you call a professional to help
remove it. As always with home repairs, if you have any doubts or questions
about sealing and/or resealing your granite countertops, contact your
installer for help.
For additional information about granite countertops contact Express
Countertops. Call or use the estimate button above to request your free
estimate and have your new countertops installed in 1 week - guaranteed!
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