granite countertop maintenance Archives

The granite countertop represents quality. The perfect countertops for your kitchen give your entire home an air of luxury. From a functional standpoint, granite is an excellent material for the kitchen because it can handle more abuse over time than other types of stone. With this in mind, you may want to consider granite for your next project, despite its higher price tag. But before running to the store and hoarding for granite, you must know how to maintain its quality. This is a very crucial step because the life of your granite countertop is in your hands. Without further ado, let’s reveal the secrets of granite. ~ADVANTAGE OF GRANITE COUNTERTOP~ Granite countertops are popular to be one of the most used stone surfaces in homes and businesses today. The popularity of granite has increased over the last decade, primarily due to its durability and natural beauty. Granite is at least three times harder than marble, which allows it to resist scratches, stains, and heat better than other countertop materials. If you want an earthy look that will last for years without fading or cracking, then granite should be your choice of material for kitchen or bathroom countertops. Photo credits: Jessica Lewis 🟪 Durable Granite is the hardest of all building stones, making it incredibly durable and resistant to heat, scratches, and stains. In fact, granite has been used as a popular countertop material for thousands of years because of its natural beauty and strength. Granite countertops will last longer than most other counters due to their high-end composition. 🟪 Earthy beauty Granite is a natural stone that's long-lasting and exquisite. It looks great in kitchens and bathrooms, but you can also use it in any room of your home. Granite countertops are often chosen as an instant update for existing areas because they give a room a clean, modern look that will make you want to get out the pots and pans to cook something up! As mentioned, granites are made from natural stone, which means it has a distinctive pattern and color. If you want to add some earthy beauty to your kitchen or bathroom without overwhelming the rest of your decorating scheme, granite is a perfect choice. It’s also a great alternative if you want something long-lasting. Granite tends to last longer than other materials like marble or quartz. 🟪 Heavy Granite countertops are not only durable, but they're also very heavy. This means that you won't have to worry about the countertop shifting or falling off of its cabinet. Granite is one of the heaviest natural stone materials in terms of weight-to-surface area ratio, and this dense quality makes it impervious to scratches and stains. The beauty of granite countertops is something that you cannot replicate with any other material. They're warm, earthy tones that can instantly update your kitchen or bathroom with elegance and sophistication. ~DOWNSIDE OF USING GRANITE~ As mentioned, granite is one of the most popular countertop materials, but it also has its disadvantages. If you're considering putting granite for your kitchen or bathroom remodeling project, keep these considerations in mind: Photo credits: Pro Housekeepers 🟪 Pricey Granite is an expensive countertop material and is more expensive than other materials like marble and quartz. Most people choose to spend the money on granite because they think it will look better in their homes. 🟪 Sealing requirement Granite is an excellent selection for your kitchen countertops, but it does require some upkeep. It needs to be sealed to prevent stains and scratches from everyday use. Sealing granite also helps minimize the chance that your countertop will yellow with age. It's important to note that sealing can't eliminate all of these problems entirely. Sealing is not a magic wand that keeps everything in tip-top shape forever! But proper care and maintenance will help keep your stone looking like new for years to come. 🟪 Cracking A common misapprehension about granite countertops is that they're impervious to cracking, but this isn't always true. Granite is a natural product and therefore has its own sets of weaknesses and strengths. For example, when it comes to temperature changes. If you live in a region where the weather regularly fluctuates from hot to cold or dry to humid, then your granite will likely crack due to these environmental changes. The same goes with regular seasonal changes like rainstorms or snowstorms. If your home's exterior gets bombarded with moisture or lack thereof, then your granite could also crack as a result! Similarly, if you're living somewhere where temperatures run hot all year round, then chances are much higher that any cracks that form will spread more quickly. This is because there isn't enough moisture present for them not to crack. It's just like how water evaporates from our bodies when we get too hot outside. And this eventually leads to other damage, such as delamination, where layers start peeling away from each other. 🟪 Harbors bacteria Granite countertops are considered porous or permeable and can harbor bacteria. So you have to be thorough when cleaning them. You should clean them regularly with soap and water. And if a spill occurs on the countertop, it should be quickly wiped off with a cloth or paper towel until it's dry. It would help if you also sealed granite to protect against stains. This is because mineral oils will attract dust particles and other contaminants that could stain your countertop over time. If you want to use vinegar instead of soap for cleaning or sanitizing purposes (which is not advisable), make sure to dilute it in an equal amount of water before using it on granite surfaces. 🟪 Regular maintenance Granite requires regular maintenance because of its nature. It ought to be sealed to control staining and deterioration by heat. In addition, granite can be damaged by scratches, so it's vital that you take care when using your countertops. If you are looking for ways how to maintain it, check the next section. ~PROPER WAY OF MAINTAINING GRANITE COUNTERTOP~ If you're thinking about purchasing granite countertops, or if you already have them in your home, it's fundamental to understand how to care for them properly. Granite is one of the most durable materials for kitchen counters, but it does require a little bit more maintenance than other surface materials. Here are some tips: Photo credits: Cabinet City 🟪 Sealant application You should apply a sealant every year after you've cleaned the countertops. After a spill or deep cleaning, you should also apply a sealant. If you haven't sealed your granite counters in over a decade, now is an excellent time to do so. But if you don't want to wait until next year to do so. If your countertop has never been sealed before and it's not being used as a cutting surface for raw meat or fish, then simply applying the recommended amount of sealant at one time will suffice. 🟪 Microfiber cloth only The most important aspect to recall is that you should never use a wet cloth on your countertops. This can result in water stains and other damage, so always use a microfiber cloth instead. If you have pets or kids, it's also important not to let them play with the microfiber cloth. Many people prefer paper towels for this reason. 🟪 Pick up spills immediately When you're cleaning your granite countertops, it's best to use a microfiber cloth or other soft cleaning pad. A paper towel can leave behind tiny fibers that are difficult to remove and may scratch the stone. If you do use a piece of paper towel, make sure it's lint-free. A damp cloth will absorb moisture better than a dry one. You'll have a smaller chance of abrading the surface of your granite if you clean with water instead of dusting powders or powders with dusting agents in them, such as dish soap. 🟪 Oil spill cleaning You can clean up an oil spill on your granite countertop using club soda, then dry the area with another cloth. Here's how to do it: First, use a paper towel with the right thickness to soak up as much of the oil as possible from the granite surface. Then, take a microfiber textile and wipe away any remaining rubble. Do not use harsh chemicals on your countertop to clean up an oil spill or any other type of stain; they will only damage it further! Additionally, do not use sponges for cleaning purposes. Sponges are too abrasive for delicate surfaces like granite and may cause scratching in addition to damaging non-porous materials that come into contact with them, such as stainless steel. 🟪 Tough stains For really tough stains, you can use glass cleaner or a product. Choose a cleaner that is a water-based product that's safe to use on all stone and marble surfaces. It must contain no harsh chemicals, so you don't have to worry about damaging your countertop. Make sure not to use too much! You don't want puddles of liquid sitting around on the surface of your countertop! Granite countertops are one of the most popular choices for kitchen remodels. They're durable, they look great, and they're easy to clean. But with so many alternatives on the market, how do you know which granite is fit for your project? And how much should you budget? Here's what you must understand about granite counters: ~FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS~ 🟪 How much do granite countertops cost? As with any investment, knowing what you're getting is important. Granite countertops are an excellent value for your home, but the price can vary depending on the type of granite and where you purchase it. You can purchase a standard 18" x 36" white granite kitchen countertop for $100 to $150 per square foot. If you want extra-thick slabs or thicker than 1/2 inch, expect to pay around $300 to $500 per square foot. It's also worth noting that not all stones are created equal. There are many different kinds of granite out there with other qualities and characteristics. These may affect their price point as well as their durability and longevity in your home. So before heading out to buy one for yourself, make sure that you do some research into what types of stone will work best for your space! 🟪 What are the best granite colors? The best granite colors are ones that will look great when used with white cabinets. For example, black granite is not a good choice for a kitchen with white cabinets because it will make your kitchen area feel smaller and darker. The best granite colors for this example tend to be those that are light in color and have no red or yellow undertones. This helps create a bright and airy space without overpowering the design of the room. These include: Black OnyxCarrara WhiteCalacatta Gold 🟪 Is granite outdated? Granite is an excellent choice for your countertops, kitchen, or bathroom. It’s a timeless material that has been around for thousands of years. Many people think it is outdated, but with the right design and installation, granite can look modern and stylish while still being durable and timeless. 🟪 Can I use a granite cleaner on quartz countertops and vice versa? Granite is known to be a natural stone, while quartz is man-made. Quartz is more resistant to scratches and stains than granite. Granite is more resistant to heat than quartz because it has a higher melting point, but quartz can be used in gas ranges without chipping or cracking. It is also more substantial than quartz on impact resistance tests. But you should note that you will still feel the force of an impact if you drop something onto your countertop. Quartz has a lower acid resistance rating than granite, which means that acidic foods like tomatoes will cause less damage when they spill on the surface of your quartz countertop than they would on your granite one. 🟪 How do you clean granite counters? Cleaning granite countertops can be a challenge since they are so hard and smooth. Here are a few tips to keep your counters looking new: If you want to clean with a damp sponge, make sure it's not abrasive. This will damage the surface of the stone.Use a soft cloth instead of water on your granite countertop for an even cleaner look.Use non-abrasive cleansers or mild dish soap if you feel like cleaning with something other than water will be helpful for getting rid of grime stuck in between the crevices in your stone surfaces.Mixing together equal parts vinegar and water makes an effective natural cleaner for granite countertops because it helps dissolve grease and dirt from both types of materials in one solution! 🟪 How to clean and disinfect granite countertops To clean granite countertops, use mild soap and water. You can also spray a mild disinfectant cleaner on the countertops if you have any cuts or scrapes. Make sure to wash the countertop surface well after cleaning it with soap or disinfectants so that no residue remains. 🟪 How long does granite last? The durability of granite is a significant factor for homeowners. Granite is a natural stone, so it does not need to be sealed or treated with chemicals to protect it from stains or scratches. It is also less likely to develop mold or mildew than other types of stone like marble and limestone because it absorbs less moisture than those stones do. Finally, granite has more variation in color and texture than other stones, giving you the opportunity to choose one that fits your home's design best. Granite is an excellent choice for high-traffic areas because of its durability. However, if you don't want all your countertops made out of this type of stone, there are also many other options available that are just as durable (or even more so). ~BOTTOM LINE~ Granite is an excellent value because it lasts so long. You’ll have this beautiful granite countertop for years, and it will continue to look like new. Granite is also durable, making it an excellent choice for your kitchen or other high-traffic areas. It is easy to groom, which drives it ideal for your bathroom or laundry room, where you want something that can withstand moisture but won’t show stains easily. With so many great options available, it’s easy to see why granite countertops are so popular. They’re beautiful and versatile. And you can also find them at a range of prices! If you have any questions about granite countertops or want help choosing the right color for your kitchen, check our next article! Just click here.