Keep your granite countertops looking great!
Now that you have your new granite countertops installed you are probably wondering how to take care of them. We will seal your countertops for the first time during installation but we recommend that you seal them at least once a year. When you start to see water rings or dark marks in your granite, this is a sign the granite needs to be sealed.
What is sealing? A popular misbelief is that granite is indestructible. Although it is heat-resistant and scratch-resistant it is still a porous rock that needs some care. Sealing is an easy process that helps natural stone not absorb moisture and liquids. It does not make the granite structurally stronger but it helps make it non-porous.
You can purchase a granite sealer at your local hardware store. A small can will last you for many applications. We use a sealer called Hydrex made by Tenax and we get this from our supplier. It is also available online through various vendors.
You will want to make sure your counter is clean before you begin, washing the counter with soap and water is fine. Take a paper towel and fold it in half and then in half again, making a square. Place the paper towel on your counter and saturate it with the sealer. Drag the paper towel over the counter so that the sealer covers the entire surface. You will notice the sealer is similar to the consistency of vegetable oil and your counter will start to darken, especially in the lighter colors. This is normal. Wait about 2 minutes after covering the surface and then take dry paper towels and wipe off any excess sealer. You can tell your counter is complete when the paper towels are no longer absorbing the excess sealer. Your counters are now ready to enjoy!
How do I care for my granite countertops?
It’s not as difficult as you might think! Just follow a few simple, common-sense rules and your granite or marble countertops will provide decades of beauty and value.
- Use mild soap and warm water to clean the surface, rinse with clean water, and dry with a soft cloth. Remember, using too much soap or cleanser can leave films, streaks or spots.
- Change the rinse water frequently.
- Dust surfaces frequently with a clean, soft cloth.
- Don’t use cleaners that contain acid such as bathroom cleaners, grout cleaners or tub & tile cleaners.
- Don’t use abrasive cleaners such as dry cleansers or soft cleansers.
- Clean up spills immediately to prevent staining and etching.
- The following items can possibly damage stone surfaces, so it is especially important to clean them as soon as possible: Soda, juices, alcoholic beverages, ketchup, mustard, vinegar, rock salt, sand, shaving cream, perfume/cologne, polish remover, dishwashing soap, hair perm chemicals, shampoos and body soaps that contain EDTA, toothpaste, drain cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners, household cleaning products and any fluid that contains an acid or alkali.
- Do not use scouring powders or creams; these products contain abrasives that may scratch the surface on soft stone surfaces.
- Do not use products that contain lemon, vinegar, or other acids on your stone countertops; their high acid content may etch the surface.
- Always make sure your natural stone countertops are sealed once a year to help maintain the beautiful look of your granite.
- Always use clean mops, sponges, towels or rags, and replace old mops, sponges, towels, and rags as they age.
- Important safety tip. Never mix bleach and ammonia; this combination creates a lethal toxic gas.
Contact us today for a consultation to turn your kitchen and bath into amazing living spaces with natural stone countertops!