Granite is probably the most popular material for kitchen countertops. They are beautiful in looks and they also last longer. What’s not to love? Here are some maintenance tips and tricks for granite countertops to ensure that they don’t get damaged.

Do’s Of Cleaning Granite Countertops

Place Trivet For Hot Pots

This tip is very important to remember. First of all, you should know that all materials are only so strong. You need to make sure that you are not testing the limit. Don’t put hot pots and pans directly on the countertop surface. It will immediately stain the countertop surface and it will be a pain to get it fixed. Try to have trivets and coasters which will be a barrier between the countertop and the hot pans.

Sweep For Everyday Dust

You should clean your countertops on a daily basis. You will be surprised by how much dirt and dust it can collect. Clean it up at night when you are done in the kitchen. If you don’t, then the countertops will be dusty and this dirt will settle in the crevices of the stone, and then it will be very hard to clean. So, make a habit of dusting off the countertops every day.

Use Neutral Cleaners

The best cleaning solution is good old soap and water. All you need is soap and water and you can mix them together to make a soapy solution. For cleaning grease and stains, just warm the water up slightly. This will make cleaning the grease and oiliness easier. If you are using store-bought cleaners, then use a neutral pH cleaner that is not acidic.

Use Soft Cloths For Cleaning

Use a very soft cloth like microfiber or fluffy dish towel for cleaning the granite countertops. You don’t want to use something too harsh because granite can be scratched very easily and fixing the granite scratch is going to be a work in itself. So, try soft clothes and very soft-bristled toothbrushes to clean the countertops.

Don’ts Of Cleaning Granite Countertops

Don’t Use Chemicals Directly

As mentioned above, granite can react very harshly with acid and nothing destroys a countertop like acid. This is why you need to keep a very close eye on the chemicals you are buying for cleaning the countertop. Avoid anything which is acidic and has any type of acid. No matter what the acid is, it will react strongly with the stone and it will ruin the entire countertop surface. So, be careful when you are using cleaning solutions from the stores. Make sure that you are reading the labels properly and seeing that the solution has a neutral pH.

Don’t Cut Anything On Top Of The Countertop

This is also a very important tip to remember. Granite can get scratches very easily, even though it is a strong material. You don’t want to use knives or butchering tools on top of the surface of granite countertops. This will ruin your surface and it will need to be replaced. To prevent this from happening, try to invest in a good chopping and cutting board and do all of the cutting work on top of that. You will save yourself from a large dent in your wallet if you just be careful with what you should and shouldn’t do on top of a countertop surface.

Don’t Leave Stains, Clean Them Immediately

Stains are natural and they can happen, but what you need to do in order to save yourself from mindlessly scrubbing the life out of the countertop, is to wipe away the stains as soon as you see them. Fresh and wet stains are very easy to clean and get rid of. If you leave stains for longer, then they will penetrate into the stone and it will harden over time. This will also weaken the stone and this is not what you want. So, clean the stain away as soon as you can.

Conclusion

There you have it! If you follow these tips, then your countertops will not only look spotless, but they will also not get damaged or weaken over time. Have your countertop sealed by a granite countertop installer Durham NC every 6 months to keep the surface non-porous.

Topics #cleaning granite countertops #don't cut things on granite countertops #don'ts of granite cleaning #granite countertops installers #seal granite countertops