You just had an incredible home built or upgraded to include granite countertops in your kitchen and bathrooms. It looks beautiful and you love using it. It looks like a showcase home. Now, how do you keep it looking brand new and in good shape?
Since the 2000’s, granite has become one of the most popular countertop in homes. With this beautiful stone material, it requires some steps to take to care and clean it.
Is your countertop sealed?
The first step is to make sure your countertop is properly sealed. Granite countertops are made of nature stone. Each slap is unique and is relatively non-porous. Before shipping, many manufacturers seal the slab. You still need to reapply the sealant periodically.
Water Bead Test
This is a great way to see if your countertop needs sealing, perform a simple water bead test.
- Drop a few drops of water on your countertop.
- If it beads up, your countertop does not need to be sealed.
- If the water leaves a watermark or absorbs into your stone, you need to seal your counter.
Sealants
There are a variety of brands and types of sealants. Sealers that you can spray onto your counters, like Granite Gold Sealer or Stone Care International Spray-n-Seal are easy to apply.
Stains
To remove stains from granite, make a paste of baking soda and water. With the paste and a soft cloth gently scrub the spot. Rinse thoroughly. You may have to repeat those steps several tries to get out a tough stain.
If you have an extremely tough stain, put the paste on the spot. Cover with plastic wrap and tape down the edges. Let it sit until the paste dries. This could take a couple of days. When the paste is dry, wipe away the paste with a soft cloth. Rinse with warm water.
If that doesn’t work, pull out cornstarch and put it directly on top of the stain and cover it with plastic. Then, wipe it away with a soft cloth and rinse with warm water.
Clean
The good news is that you don’t need specialty cleaners for granite. They are fine to use, but you’re paying for a product you don’t necessarily need.
Wipe the counter with warm soapy water and rinse. You can also use a 50:50 solution of isopropyl alcohol and water. Do not use vinegar, Windex or bleach on granite. Frequent uses of these acidic substances will dull the granite and weaken the sealant.
If you use abrasive pads or cleaners, the granite can be scratched.
Buff
Put a little cooking oil on a soft cloth and wipe the countertop to put a little shine on your granite. Then, buff it gently. This makes the counter have a glossy shine and makes it a little bit stain-resistant. The microfiber cloths work great to buff a shine to your counters daily.
Resealing
Normal wear and tear will wear the sealant off, leaving the counter dull and susceptible to stains. Resealing granite counters is a job best left to professionals. Plan on having your granite counters resealed every two to four years.
Granite is standard in the communities at DiGiovanni Homes.
If you’re ready to own a new home in Clearwater, check out one of the DiGiovanni Homes available! Our new homes offer spacious, open floor plans in the form of single-family homes, condos or townhomes in Tampa Bay’s best communities. Visit Digiovannihomes.com today to learn more!
