Your granite countertops or flooring was likely a big investment of both time and money in the decorating budget of your home. But, once it was installed and your room was complete, you were thrilled and knew that the time spent agonizing over color, edges and surface finish was well worth the decision process. However, now that it is installed, you want to be sure that it is cared for properly.
There is an assortment of things to do, or not, with granite countertops if you want them to look as beautiful in 10 years as they do today. Some of them may seem obvious, but...At any rate, following the tips below will keep your granite countertops looking great for years to come.
- When cleaning granite floors (or counter tops), it is best to use a non-treated dust mop rather than a vacuum or broom which can scratch the surface. Perhaps the biggest enemies of granite flooring are sand, dirt and grit. Protect entryways with throw rugs which have non-slip surface; you can further prevent tracking dirt in by placing a mat outside the door or if feasible, asking people to remove their shoes.
- If you have used granite for a vanity top, be sure that it has a deep penetrating sealer applied, and that you have it resealed at least once a year. Many granite professionals recommend a good quality marble wax be applied, as well.
- If you have installed granite countertops in the kitchen, remember that while it may strong enough to use as a cutting board, it is not recommended. Not only will it damage the knife/knives used, but by using the granite as your cutting board you get the juices from the food items on the countertop, which frequently results in discoloring the granite.
- You should be wary of oil spills on your granite countertops as these, too, can cause staining. Should food juices get spilled on the countertop, clean up quickly by using a soft sponge, warm water with some dish soap and then wipe away excess water with a microfiber cloth. For oil spills, use a soft cleaning liquid with bleach or mineral spirits or acetone. Do not mix the later three items together!
- Avoid letting citrus or alcohol products sit on the granite surface as it can result in etching the surface. Also, be sure to use coasters under all glasses and a hot pad for kitchen items.
- Do not use cleaners design for cleaning grout, tubs or tile.
- Plan to get your granite resealed at least every two years to protect the shine.
Granite countertops and flooring are a beautiful investment for your home. Be sure to take care of them by using these tips from Universal Stone of Minneapolis so that they can look beautiful for years to come. Many websites provide additional information on the topic of granite. One such site worth visiting is www.universalstone-inc.com. Janet Slagell independently authors articles for WebDrafter.com, Inc. for search engine marketing. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those solely of the author, and not of any other person, company or organization. No guarantee or warranty, express or implied, is made regarding the accuracy, fitness, or use of the content herein.
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