Cleaning Granite Kitchen Countertops
Even the pickiest of consumers can find a granite countertop pattern, color and texture that will compliment their kitchen decor, making for a kitchen they will love for ever, until the day they move on.
Granite is also extremely stain resistant and durable. It stands up to acids and other harsh elements commonly found in any 'cooks' kitchen. This means less upkeep and care are additional benefits to the kitchen owner.
And it's gorgeous! The countless colors and patterns can make it difficult to choose just one. Many samples have large clear crystals that give a depth and texture unmatched. The color textures mix with the depth textures to make a canvas you can stare at all day long, and constantly find new features.
Granite is so easy to clean, and annual sealing is a breeze. But there are some things to be considered when caring for your kitchen granite countertops.
And granite countertops are impervious to kitchen heat. Imagine taking a boiling-over pot of water from the stove to settle, and you place it on the Formica counter top - Oops, you could have discoloration or even a burn mark. Even if you're more careful than that, other household members might not be.
Not that a granite countertop doesn't need any care, it does. But with just a minimal amount of proper care, any granite countertop will maintain the sparkle and shine that it had when you chose the slab from the supplier.
One of the biggest problems you can face with all countertop materials is grit or sand. Any object you place on your countertop might have some grit stuck to the bottom. A cooler from the garage, or even a glass of ice-tea from the patio table could contain abrasive grit underneath - grit that can dig in and scratch even your granite quartz given the worst circumstances.
Imagine that horrible sound of a scratch being formed as you innocently slide something from here to there, the sound that tells you - oops it's too late, it's already done.
True there are some manufacturers of products that claim to repair scratches or blemishes from granite, but consider this - A slab of stone with a scratch means that some of the material has been removed. How can any miracle product put stone back? They can't. They can hide it if it's not too bad, but your only real defense is to be diligent and prevent scratches before they happen.
Cleaning your granite countertop is an issue too. Obviously don't use an abrasive like Comet or Ajax - that's common sense. But did you know that ammonia based cleaners - used over time - will dull that amazing shine and luster of your granite. Never use an ammonia based cleaner. If you're not sure, don't use it. You're better off using warm soapy water for the time being - that is, until you can locate a good source specifically for granite cleaners.
Granite needs to be sealed annually. Although it's a highly polished stone, it is still porous, and those pours need to be kept sealed. Sealing the granite helps it resist stains and keep its shine. Sealers can be applied by anyone, since no special skill is required. You can always call a local granite shop to do this work if you prefer, but either way, mark you calendar and get it done each year.
To summarize, granite is the most beautiful, durable, and versatile countertop material on the market. Brand new, it's sparkle will draw the attention of everyone you invite into your home. But fail to care for it, and the shine will eventually dissolve into a dull boring surface that can never be repaired. So do seal your granite each year, never use ammonia based cleaners, and try to be aware of anything that might have grit that can scratch.
Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com
Related Tags: cleaning, kitchen, countertops, granite
Dave Marx writes for Granite Kitchen Countertop Information A free informational resource for anyone considering a new kitchen remodeling project. Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- Home Repair Articles - Handyman - Cut Costs and Learn to DIY
In the middle of avid do-it-yourselfers and those who insist on calling a professional lies the terr - Home Repair Articles - Be Your Own Roofing Contractor - Get Up There And Stop The Leak Before It Ruins Your House
When it rains, it pours - in your living room. This is not good! If you've got water coming in, even - Home Improvement Articles - How Do Wood Fireplace Inserts Work?
First-time homebuyers and those who have lived in homes without a fireplace may be unfamiliar with w - Home Improvement Articles - A Denver Wood Burning Fireplace Makes Your Home Ready For Winter
Denver homeowners are enjoying the sunny warm weather of summer, but not very long from now winter's - Home Improvement Articles - What's Hot in Direct Vent Fireplaces?
Are you looking for a direct vent fireplace? Then you've likely spent some time searching on - Home Repair Articles - Boiler Installation Tips And Advice
If you feel that the time has come to upgrade your boiler to a newer more energy efficient design th - Home Repair Articles - The Correct And Safe Way For Boiler Installation
During this economy crisis it is very important to understand various ways on how to be more conserv - Home Repair Articles - Deciding On That French Home Accessories
Whether one is designing a home for the first time or simply redecorating, there are a lot of option - Home Repair Articles - Creating The Perfect French Atmosphere With The Right French Home Accessories
Not a lot of people prefer the French style these days. Modern designs are presently more preferred - Home Repair Articles - The Benefits From The Combi Boilers
Heating units or boilers that are installed in many houses in Britain this days are combi. The combi
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Kitchen Heating is Essential for Every Home
In every kitchen there is a problem if the room temperature or the water temperature is below comfor - Properly Installed Do it Yourself Gutters
There's not much glamour in gutter systems, but when properly installed, they do a great job of dire - What to Do Before You Build a Fireplace
Fireplaces are found in homes across the world in all countries that witness severe cold during the - Alarm Systems - Feeling Safe
In 1858, a man named Edwin Holmes, invented the first burglar alarm system. It was a simple device c - Aluminium Fences Are Both Beautiful and Practical
Once upon a time, people were concerned only about the safety and security of their homes and hence - New Ideas for Wooden Decks
Many people today prefer homes which provide space to lounge around and have a very casual and a ver - Don't Fall Into "the Money Pit" During your Home Remodeling Project
One of the funniest movies I ever saw was "The Money Pit" starring Tom Hanks and Shelley Long. They - Do it Yourself Concreting and Concrete Resurfacing
There are many low-pressure crack injection kits which come with simple instructions so the homeowne - How to build an outdoor kitchen
Like most major outdoor fixtures, this will take twice as much work as its indoor counterpar - Types of light bulbs
There are several different types of light fixtures and usually these will vary based on the