Granite Countertop Maintenance

Cleaning your granite countertop can get tricky, as natural stones are porous and may allow liquids to penetrate their surface, which could potentially cause stains. The simplest way to prevent this from happening is to properly seal and clean your granite countertops regularly.

Sealing your countertop is easy and relatively inexpensive. First perform what is colloquially known as the ‘paper towel’ test to determine whether sealing your granite is necessary. To do this, just soak a paper towel without printing in water and place it on the counter. Wait about 5 minutes before removing it. If the area under the paper towel is dark from the water soaking into the granite, then you may need to apply a sealant. When applying a sealant to your granite countertop, it’s important to follow these steps:

  1. Spray the whole surface evenly with a spray cleaner, then wipe it down with a paper town and wait a couple of minutes until the surface is completely dry.
  2. Uniformly apply the sealer using either a spray bottle or a clean white rag or brush.
    Let the sealant absorb for 20-25 minutes.
  3. After 20-25 minutes, apply a small amount more on your granite with a clean, dry rag.
  4. Then wait at least two hours and apply a second application of sealant while repeating these steps. After the second time through these steps your granite should be properly sealed.

Once you’ve sealed your granite, you will need to clean it habitually about once every 2 weeks, not only to get rid of dust and other messes, but also to prevent buildup of dirt and grime. While brand name all purpose cleaners are recommended, there are quicker and easier ways to create a cheap and effective granite cleaning solution to maintain the surfaces in between cleanings with proper products. The most widely used concoction is a mixture of denatured alcohol and water. Denatured alcohol is a common household product, and can be found in any local home improvement store. In a spray bottle or bucket, mix 1 part denatured alcohol to 4 parts water. The alcohol will kill bacteria and is safe to use on granite surface. It is safe for use around children and pets, and no residue is left behind after cleaning!

Many homeowners are forced to replace or repair their granite countertops due to not keeping up with cleaning and maintenance. For more questions about granite countertop maintenance, or any inquiries about countertop repair or installation, call Rock Fin Countertops today and request a quote.

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