Care of Granite Countertops

Here's the good news: You have granite countertops in your home. It's common knowledge that natural stone countertops add value to a home, whether they are in a kitchen or a bathroom.

Here's the bad news: Granite, like all natural stone, needs special care. Stone is porous. Any spills, like tomato sauce or lemon juice, and greasy substances, like hair conditioner or body lotion, can literally get beneath the surface of your countertops to cause serious stains.

You may want to consult a professional about cleaning and sealing your granite countertops if you see any of these problems:

• The countertop always has a sticky or gummy residue
• The glossy finish of the countertop has become dull
• The surface is pitted or etched
• There are visible stains and discolorations in the stone

Maintenance Tips for Granite Countertops

If your countertop is in good condition, you'll only have to do routine maintenance. Here are Grout Pro's top tips for care of granite countertops.

Blot up any spills immediately. The longer you leave a spill sitting on your countertop the more likely it will stain even a well sealed surface

Don't use common household cleaners to clean granite countertops. These products contain harsh chemicals or abrasive substances that can damage the stone surface. Included on our list of no-nos are popular products like SoftScrub with bleach, Windex or Comet. But anything that includes vinegar, bleach, ammonia or citric acid (orange or lemon oils) can over time cause damage to the sealer and the stone.

Use a soft sponge or cloth and ordinary hot water to care for granite countertops. Most people believe that you need soap to clean anything. But the truth is that professionally sealed stone countertops really will come clean with a simple wipe down. If needed, use of a ph neutral cleaner to get up greasy spills.

Buy cleaning products that have been specifically developed to clean natural stone. Look for products that are non-abrasive and that have a neutral ph. This information should be right on the label.

Protect your stone countertops. You can prevent a lot of spills and scratches by using coasters under glasses, trivets under pots and trays under perfumes or toiletries. A tray is also needed under oils kept by the stove. Always use cutting boards.

Periodically test to see if your countertops need to be sealed. Just put a few drops of water on your countertops. If the water beads up, the sealant is still working as intended. Now wipe up the water droplets. If the water has soaked in and makes the stone look darker your countertop requires professional sealing.

Do not stand or sit on countertop. There are always weak spots on any installation of a stone slab counter top. Putting pressure on one area may cause a break several feet away. Sitting or kneeling on a counter top is risky.

Following these tips for the care of granite countertops will keep your kitchen and bathroom looking clean and beautiful. Oregon Grout Pro provides this information to help customers avoid costly restoration projects in the future. If you would like to know more about our restoration, cleaning and sealing services for natural stone call Oregon Grout Pro today at 503-708-7740.