Granite countertops continue to be the pinnacle of beauty in the home. Sleek and modern, versatile and sophisticated, functional and gorgeous, they have the ability to offset any style of room and increase the overall value of the home.
Homeowners and house hunters alike respond in kind to granite countertops; they elevate an ordinary kitchen to an extraordinary and sophisticated space. Of course, along with the choosing and installing of these beautiful surfaces comes the job of caring for them appropriately. Cleaning them must be done periodically and correctly in order to maintain the integrity of their appeal.
These should be considered something of an investment in the home; proper cleaning of them is something that must be done in order to safeguard that investment. Taking careful note of the appropriate care that should be given can increase the longevity and beauty of your countertops.
Because granite is a natural stone, it is unaffected by liquids; water and other substances are not capable of permeating the stone and causing damage. However, the integrity of the granite can be compromised by certain chemicals that can erode the top layer of the stone.
In order to properly care for the stone, cleaning should be done with mild or natural ingredients; experts highly recommend using those products that contain vegetable oil as their primary ingredient.
Some of the more straightforward recommendations are those steps that you would take with the cleaning of any countertop - cleaning should be done on a daily basis; granite should be wiped down with a soft cloth and warm, clean water in addition to the cleanser that you choose. Additionally, spills should be cleaned-up quickly.
While you can use mildly abrasive cleaning pads when cleaning, it is best to test the effect of the material on the surface of the stone by using it in low visibility area initially.
When removing dirt or residue proper cleaning products include neutrally based agents. These agents are defined as a being pH balanced. After cleaning, the surface should be rinsed to make sure that any residue film is removed.
Products that are alkaline or contain acid should be avoided as they will mar the surface of the granite. These products include ingredients such as ammonia, citrus fruit (lemon, lime, etc.) and alkaline. Signs of harmful effects to your granite countertops include cloudiness of the surface and circular type ring markings.
Granite countertops are designed to bring you years of enjoyment; they are a durable material that holds up under a myriad of conditions. But in order to maintain the integrity and beauty of the granite - and keep it looking the way it did on the day you installed it - it is important to maintain a consistent and meticulous method of care. If you are fastidious in cleaning granite countertops you will long have granite that will continue to shine and add beauty and value to your home.
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