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There are, for one reason or another, a number of myths floating around surrounding granite and its quality, care, maintenance and hazards. Most (if not all) of these myths are completely unfounded and are only believed by those who are naively taking for truth everything that they read on the internet and watch on television. Here are some of the most common myths dispelled (hopefully you won’t embarrass yourself when placing your next order): - “I’ve been told that my granite doesn’t require sealing.”
Believing this myth could cause serious, irreversible damage to your granite surfaces, as it definitely does need to be sealed if you want to protect it against stains from water and other liquids. Make sure that the sealer you use is not a silicone derivative because, whilst it works for water stains, it is powerless against oil-based ones. - “I’ve been told that granite harbors and grows bacteria.”
This is completely false – if your granite surfaces are well maintained, you will find that they are some of the most sanitary on the market. If you don’t believe us, you can look into the studies done by government and industry organizations that have scientifically proven this belief to be completely unfounded. - “I’ve been told that granite emits radon gas and is radioactive.”
Surprisingly enough, this myth can actually trace its origination back to truth – minuscule amounts of radon gas are actually emitted by almost all types of stone that are found where uranium is present. This does not pose any health or safety risks whatsoever (as a side note, concrete and cement are equally as likely to emit these substances). - “I’ve been told to only clean granite with soap and water.”
Whilst there is nothing wrong with cleaning your granite using this method, it can actually have an effect on how your stone looks once you’re finished. The soapsuds are actually known to dry on the surface of the stone, which can make it appear dull or lackluster. Instead, use a proper stone cleaning product to ensure the shine remains when you’re done.
The next time you hear some spouting one of the above granite myths as being truthful, you can be prepared with the correct retort and the evidence that this person clearly has no idea what they are talking about. Don’t let a supposed ‘expert’ try to make you believe something that you know to be false – and if you need more proof, do some of your own, independent research into the matter.
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