Granite Countertop
Maintenance
An
important part of granite countertop maintenance is re-sealing your countertop
at least once a year to prevent cloudiness and permanent stains.
Why People Choose Granite
Granite
is a popular choice among homeowners building a new home or remodeling kitchen
because it offers a beautiful and unique stone look. Little crystals found
within the granite catch the light and change the countertop's appearance, and
no two slabs of granite are exactly alike. Other advantages to installing
granite countertops include:
-
Affordable
-
Color runs
all the way through
-
Hundreds
of color choices
-
Easy to
clean
-
Durable
and hard to scratch
-
Burn
resistant
Granite Countertop
Maintenance Tips
Daily
granite countertop care is as easy as cleaning with a gentle cleanser like
Murphy's Oil Soap or mild dishwashing liquid. If needed you can use a synthetic
scrubbing pad to clean your granite counter. With the proper maintenance,
granite countertops stay new-looking for a long time. Here are easy steps to
follow:
Removing Stains
Unfortunately,
a lived-in kitchen will eventually experience a stain or two even on your
granite counter. How to remove the stain will depend on what caused the stain.
Use the suggestions found on the following chart:
|
How to Treat Stains on Granite Countertops |
|
Stain |
Treatment |
How to Use
|
|
Most Stains |
1 cup flour, 1-2 T mild dishwashing soap, create a thick
paste by mixing with water |
Apply to stain, cover overnight with plastic wrap, in the
morning scrape mixture from stain with wooden utensil and rinse. |
|
Oil based stains |
1 cup flour, 1-2 T mild hydrogen peroxide, form a thick
paste by mixing with water |
Apply to stain, cover overnight with plastic wrap, in the
morning scrape mixture from stain with wooden utensil and rinse. |
|
Organic stains |
Combine 12 percent hydrogen peroxide with 2-3 drops of
ammonia |
This should help to remove stains like coffee and tea. |
|
Ink on dark granite |
Lacquer thinner or acetone |
Apply to stain. |
|
Ink on light granite |
Hydrogen peroxide |
Apply to stain. |
|
Wine |
Make a mixture of molding plaster and bleach until it
becomes a paste |
Apply to stain for 30 minutes, remove and rinse. |
Resealing Granite Countertops
Before
you reseal your granite countertops, check with the manufacturer or installer
to be sure it is necessary. Most granite counters do need to be re-sealed on an
annual basis, but not all of them require this.
However,
for those that do require sealing to retain the color and clarity of the
granite countertop it is necessary to reseal the counter every six months to
two years. Check with your installer to find what they recommend. How much you
use your kitchen will play a part in how often it needs to be re-sealed. When
you do re-seal, be sure to choose a non-toxic sealer, since counters are used
for food preparation.
Two Types of Sealers
Two
types of sealers can be found on the market. A penetrating sealer penetrates
into the stone. The second, a topical sealer, does not penetrate but instead
coats the top of the counter's surface.
-
Penetrating
sealers - Protecting the structure of natural stone, a penetrating sealer
absorbs into the granite for three or four minutes. When almost dry, add a
little more sealer to the counter and rub with a soft, dry rag. Apply to a
section at a time. Wait two hours and apply a second coat. When shopping
for your sealer, look for one that says it is an oil repellent
impregnator, which will help stop oil from seeping into the stone.
-
Topical
sealers - These sealers form a film designed to protect the countertop's
surface. Usually made from some form of natural wax, acrylic, and other
plastic compounds. Topical sealers come in two types:
Strippable
Just
like it sounds, topical sealers are made to be stripped or removed from the
stone countertop with little work. As with any project, read the label and talk
with the manufacturer before using any product.
Permanent
Once
you apply a permanent sealer, it becomes difficult to remove. Comprised of
solvent-based or water-based polymers, most often these are not recommended for
granite.
Water Spill Test
Once
you've sealed your counter, test it to be sure that it is adequately sealed. As
a test, spill a little water on your countertop and leave it set. After 30
minutes, wipe it up. If the water leaves your counter darkened, the granite is
not sufficiently sealed.
Warnings and Cautions
Because granite is so
durable, it's easy to think you can use anything on it. However, this is not
true if you really want to keep your counters in good condition. Avoid products
with ingredients that include lemon, vinegar or other acids. In fact, it's a
good idea to use coasters to protect your counter under glasses containing
acidic drinks like alcohol or citrus juices.
And
as a final note on granite countertop maintenance, let me remind you that even
though you can use harsher chemicals to clean your counter, doing so may dull
or even etch the counter's finish. Stick with milder solutions and retain that
natural beauty you fell in love with in the first place. Once you've applied a
topical sealer, your maintenance really shifts to maintenance of the sealer.
| 
