If you’ve remodeled your house with the help of Portland kitchen contractors or Portland bathroom contractors, there’s a good chance that you’ve had granite countertops installed. Granite countertops are a very popular choice when remodeling a kitchen or a bathroom, and for good reason. Many people are attracted to granite countertops because they are beautiful and durable. Also, granite countertops can increase the value of your home. Read on to learn more about the pros and cons of maintaining granite countertops.
The Pros of Maintaining Granite Countertops
Granite countertops are quite durable and relatively easy to maintain. They are resistant to high temperatures and to knocks and scrapes. You can use your granite countertops heavily and you will not need to perform more maintenance.
The Cons of Maintaining Granite Countertops
While granite countertops can stand up to pretty much anything and will last for many years, they do need to be properly maintained. Granite countertops do need to be cleaned on a regular basis, just like any other countertops. However, granite also needs to be sealed. This process is relatively simple, and you can do it yourself. It is also not very expensive. However, other types of countertops do not need to be sealed.
Routine Cleaning
You should clean your granite countertops every week or so. You may need to clean your countertops more often if they get messy of stained. While it may be tempting to overlook routine cleaning, you should keep in mind that not cleaning your granite countertops will actually reduce their lifespan. For example, if you do not clean food residue off your countertops, it may eat into the sealant and even into the stone beneath.
You should use a microfiber cloth to clean your granite countertops. A rag may have food or dirt particles on it that could compromise your countertop’s sealant. Many people use only a damp cloth. This will work fine, but you will see better results if you wet the cloth with a cleaning product specifically intended for granite countertops.
If your countertops have a stubborn stain, you can clean it off with a baking soda paste. Simply mix baking soda and water and leave it on the stain for a few minutes. Wipe it off with a damp cloth, and the stain should come right off.
Granite Countertop Maintenance
Granite countertops do need to be resealed to protect the stone. You will likely have to reseal your countertops every three to four months. If you aren’t sure whether you need to reseal your countertops, all you need to do is splash a little water on the countertop. If the water pools, the countertop needs to be resealed. If it beads up, the sealant is still good.
You can reseal your granite countertops yourself. Granite sealant is readily available at every home improvement store. Generally, you only need to clean the countertop and apply the sealant. Every sealant has to sit for a certain length of time before the countertops can be used again. Check the label of your sealant for more specific instructions. Thanks to Kitchens By Rupp for consulting
