Granite Countertop Care

Granite countertop care is important to ensure longevity of your beautiful countertops. Protecting granite countertops includes both cleaning and sealing granite countertops to keep them looking as good in years to come as they do today.

Part 1 - Granite Countertop Daily Cleaning

Granite countertop care starts with keeping the surface free from spills. If there is a spill blot it up immediately, and then rinse with warm water. This is especially true of acidic substances such as lemon, orange, or vinegar.

Once a day you should wipe your granite countertops down with a soft cloth and mild detergent. This will wipe away surface deposits and keep your countertops looking as good as new.

You should never use harsh chemical cleaners in your granite countertop care, because they can damage the sealant. You must also be careful with some powder detergents which can scratch.

Tips for daily granite countertop care
• Dust the counter surface regularly
• Rinse well after using any cleaners or detergents on the granite
• Disinfect the countertop surface with just a few drops of any cleaner that is a neutral pH
• Never use bleach or ammonia on your countertop
• Granite countertops are often marketed as heat resistant but you should never put really hot pots directly on the granite. Use a trivet.

Part 2 – Sealing Granite Countertops

Sealing granite countertops is very important part of your care routine because it is this seal that retains the beautiful high gloss finish.

Your granite countertop care should include re-applying the sealant every 6 months. The sealant wear is often undetectable so even if it does not look worn, you should still reseal twice a year.

Don’t be fooled by sealant that does not look worn. It is not always visible. However sealing granite countertops is the number one thing you can do to make your granite countertops look like new.

Where to Purchase Granite Countertop Sealant

Granite countertop care products, including the sealant, are available at most hardware stores and kitchen stores. Refer to your granite countertop care instructions for suggestions of which products to use or contact the installer.

How to Apply Granite Countertop Sealant

Sealing granite countertops is not difficult. The easiest method is to pour the sealant into a spray bottle. It’s far less messy. Just spray it on the entire countertop and wipe gently with a soft cloth to get the sealant into the stone surface. Let dry for 2 to 4 hours and then it’s ready to use again.