You scrimped and you saved, and you finally have the kitchen of your dreams, granite countertops and all. Every day, you walk by it countless times, admiring its pristine beauty, terrified to use it for fear of getting it dirty. You run your hands softly across the granite countertops, loving how smooth they feel to your touch, hoping this feeling won’t soon be ruined by scratches, stains or grime. Eventually, however, eating out will lose its charm, and it’s time to break in that new kitchen. Not to worry, though– keep these few mantras in mind, and you’ll keep your granite countertops looking as new as they did the day you bought them.
A wipe down a day keeps the build-up, the grime, and the doctor away!
Daily maintenance is key in keeping your granite countertops looking nice. Granite is bacteria-resistant when it’s kept clean. So if something spills, wipe it up quickly with a soft sponge or dish cloth, making sure you aren’t using something abrasive. This will reduce the germs on your granite countertops and keep them cleaner, longer.
Coasters, hot pads and cutting boards are your friends!
The perks of granite countertops over other surfaces is that they can withstand high levels of heat, they are usually sealed and non-porous, and they are highly scratch and crack resistant. But why test the waters? When taking something directly out of the oven or off the stove, use a hot pad, put coasters under cold and hot drinks, and always use a cutting board instead of prepping directly on the countertop. It’s like sunscreen–sometimes tedious and easy to forget–but adds years to your life (or in this case, the life of your granite countertops).
Get to know your cleaners on a personal level!
While it’s tempting to buy the cheapest cleaner out there and call it good, be picky when choosing what cleaner to use on your granite countertops. You’ve already invested good money in the granite, so what’s a few more dollars in cleaner to insure your investment? Remember to get something that is non-acidic, as acidic cleaners can eat away at the sealer, leaving exposed granite. Avoid powdered cleaners, too, as the pumice they contain can leave scratches or weaken the integrity of the granite. When you get a new cleaner, test it on a small, unnoticeable area and wait 24 hours to make sure its results are desirable.
Rearrange, Reassess, Reseal!
This is granite’s version of “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!” Rearrange your kitchen counter appliances every so often to make sure that one heavy appliance doesn’t stay in the same place for eternity. It will also give you an excuse to clean underneath. Reassess your granite’s seal strength by testing how well water beads on top. If it beads, you’re good; if it doesn’t, consider adding another coat of protective sealant. It’s a good idea to reseal every year. Following these simple steps and the ones listed above will help keep your granite countertops shiny and new for years to come.
For granite countertops in Lake Norman NC, contact us at Carolinas Custom Kitchen & Bath Center. Don’t settle for living in a home that you aren’t completely happy with; let us take your home to the next level!
