Dawn S
Caring for Your Granite Countertop
There are a couple of things to remember that will help keep your granite countertops looking beautiful and brand new.
A lot people are hesitant to have granite countertops installed because they have a fear of the upkeep of this type of countertop. If you are like these folks…have no fear! If you’re in possession of regular laminate counters at the moment, the switch to granite isn’t a big deal. All you need is warm water, mild dishwashing soap and a soft clean cloth or sponge. There are a couple of things to remember that will help keep your granite countertops looking beautiful and brand new.
When you have your granite countertops installed, have them sealed before you start using them. Have your installation team take care of that for you. The professional team at Busche Granite will explain that granite is a porous stone and can stain so sealing will be a huge step in preventing stains from occurring. Your counters should be resealed every ten to fifteen years. When you’re cleaning the counters, stick with the mild dishwashing detergent. Harsh chemicals could damage the sealant over time so avoid those. Although granite is very strong, try and avoid putting hot pots and pans directly on the counter, to avoid cracking and discolouring. Your beautiful granite counters will withstand regular spills, just wipe them up like you normally would do. If you happen to put a greasy frying pan on the counter and it leaves oil behind, don’t fret. Just apply mild dishwashing soap and clean it up as usual. However, on the rare occasion that the oil is still there, you can buy a product that can be applied to the oil that will remove it without harming the countertops. Granite is known to show soap scum, so just keep them shiny with a quick wipe down regularly.
The easy way to clean and keep your granite clean and shiny is to squirt the mild dishwashing liquid directly onto a soft cloth or sponge. (Make sure the soap you choose doesn’t contain alcohol.) Rinse away the soap with warm water. Use a soft cloth to dry the countertop. If you come across a stubborn stain, simply apply a baking soda paste (baking soda and water) granite cleaner to the spot. This really works for oil stains.
You will know you may need to have the granite countertops resealed if you are finding that they are staining easily. Having them resealed is just a matter of calling Busche Granite. Remember to not use cleaners that contain vinegar, citrus products, ammonia (like glass cleaner) and bleach. For the actual wiping avoid steel wool, disinfecting wipes and anything that feels abrasive.
Granite countertops are beautiful and knowing how to clean and protect them is quite easy. Just remember to always have mild dishwashing liquid, a soft cloth or sponge and warm water on hand. For all your granite needs, contact Busche Granite in Hamilton at 905.578.7900 or Burlington at 905.634.9934.
