You’ve made the move and installed granite countertops in your home. Congratulations! You’ve taken an important step in upgrading the look and feel of your house, as well as increasing its resale value should you ever decide to sell. Once you’ve got your granite countertops installed, it’s important to know that your work doesn’t stop there. To make sure your new countertops continue to look and perform at their highest level, you need to know the proper way to clean and maintain them. Here is an easy primer to help you take care of your granite countertops and ensure they will last a lifetime:
Cleaning Your Granite Countertops
You’ve probably had your countertops installed in one or both of the messiest rooms in the house: the kitchen or the bathroom. If any spills happen, it’s likely they’ll happen here! These also tend to be the areas of the home that see the most traffic and get the most use, so everyday cleaning and care is important. Here are some tips:
Immediately Clean up Spills and Sticky Messes
It might be tempting to leave that spilled honey sitting on the counter when you’re rushing out the door to work. However, the sooner you can clean up spills, the easier it will be and the less likely they’ll be to leave a stain. It only takes a few extra seconds to wet a washcloth and wipe up a mess, and you’ll be glad you did in the long run.
Clean with Warm, Soapy Water
There’s no magic potion here; warm, soapy water works best when cleaning granite. If you’re spot cleaning, running a washcloth under the tap and squirting on some dish soap will work fine. If you’re doing some all over cleaning, fill up the kitchen or bathroom sink with soapy water, grab a soft sponge or cloth, and get to work!
Avoid Harsh Cleaners and Astringents or Anything Abrasive
There’s no need to buy specialty cleaners for your new countertops. In fact, they’ll probably do more harm than good. Commercial cleaners can have acids, astringents, or abrasive materials in them that can scratch or otherwise hurt your granite. Though granite is extremely durable, why take the chance? Plain old soap and water is inexpensive and effective, and there’s no reason to go out and buy anything else.
Making Your Granite Countertops Last
You’ve made a big investment in your new countertops and you want them to last. In addition to regular cleaning, here are some more tips to help their longevity.
Avoid High Temperatures
Can you take a pot of boiling water off the stove and put it directly on your granite countertop? The technical answer is yes, and it probably won’t do any harm. However, there is a chance that a highly heated pot or pain could cause a crack in your countertop, so you shouldn’t chance it. Always use a hot pad or trivet when putting hot materials on granite.
Don’t Treat them as Cutting Boards
Yes, granite is durable and tough. No, that doesn’t mean you can toss out your cutting boards and start slicing vegetables directly on the countertops. Scuffs and scratches are still possible, even on granite. Plus, it will dull your knives. Always treat them with care and take the necessary precautions.
Utilize Coasters
Anything that sits on your countertops and could contain moisture, such as vases of flowers or water glasses, should sit on a coaster. Again, it’s unlikely they’ll damage your countertops, but why take a chance?
Don’t Sit or Stand on Countertops
The durability of granite often leads people to believe they can beat them up as much as they want. However, there is still the possibility of cracking and other damage, so sitting or standing on them is never advised.
You want your new granite countertops to provide beauty and functionality for your family for years to come. With the proper care and maintenance, your countertops will last for many years with little to no professional intervention.