How to Care for Granite
Granite countertops are one of the marks of a luxurious and convenient modern kitchen. In addition to being aesthetically striking, granite countertops are incredibly useful to cook on. For this reason, they are an excellent investment for any modern homeowner to put in their kitchen. However, that investment goes a lot further when you take the necessary steps to protect your granite countertops. Here are some things to remember about how to care for granite…
Use a granite sealer
For many types of granite, a sealer is necessary to protect it for a long period of time. A sealer keeps granite safe from scratches, or from bacteria getting into the pores and causing cracks, over time. However, not every type of granite needs a sealer. Some types of stone are able to get by just fine without it. Feel free to give one of our experts a call to see if you should seal your granite countertop!
Avoid strong chemical cleaners
One general rule of them is that you should stick to cleaning your granite countertop with soap and water, or natural cleaners. Using stronger cleaners that are chemically based can cause wear and tear to your granite, or will eat through your granite sealer to expose the natural stone below. Likewise, make sure that you clean up any acidic liquids or foods that get on your granite countertop right away, as these will also have a negative impact on your granite seal.
Don’t cut directly on granite
While granite is a strong and durable stone, you might still want to avoid using it directly as a cutting board. For one thing, if you do have granite seal on it, then a knife is definitely going to scratch the seal. However, even if you don’t have a granite seal, then your knives are going to dull out incredibly quick because you are cutting on such a hard surface. Instead, just use a cutting board, no matter how convenient the alternative might seem.