How To Avoid All Potential Granite Counter Problems?

What to Do and Not to Do When Cleaning Granite Surfaces

Do's

Maintenance and cleaning procedures for granite countertops differ from those required for most stone surfaces. Therefore, if you stick to these basic practices, caring for your granite kitchen countertops is simple and uncomplicated. Here are the instructions you should follow:

Cleaning Spills Right Away

Acidic substances such as sauce or fruit juices may not scratch granite like they can marble, but they might leave unsightly stains. Oil for cooking is no different. Because of this, any spills on a granite counter must be cleaned up immediately.

To Clean The Surface, Use A Damp Cloth Or Sponge.

When cleaning granite worktops, using products designed for stone counters that will not harm the surface or sealer is advisable. However, hot water is a fast and effective alternative for quick cleanups. Cleaning your granite countertops with dish soap will leave a film that dulls the surface over time. For this reason, this type of cleaner should be avoided for everyday use.

Apply Coasters

Coasters are not strictly required while working with granite; however, it is recommended, as doing so eliminates even the remote possibility of unintentional etching.

Granite Is Not Safe For Storing Hot Cookware.

Even though granite is resistant to thermal shocks, it is possible to crack, chip, or damage the surface by accidentally laying a hot skillet or pot on it. Furthermore, the surface beneath the pan or pot will remain very hot and could create mishaps if care is not taken.

Use Platters And Boards

When chopping on granite countertops, always use cutting boards. If you frequently cut over granite, you run the danger of scratching the surface and dulling your knife's blade.

Don'ts

When it comes to maintaining your granite counters, there are a few things you absolutely must not do. The following are the points that have been discussed:

Don't Use Cheap Generic Cleaning Supplies

You may save a lot of money on granite countertop upkeep if you go only out when you first buy cleaning supplies for your granite counter. Common household cleaners and chemicals like bleach and degreasers can ruin granite countertops by eroding the sealant and leaving behind unsightly stains. Granite surfaces are extremely sensitive to many common cleaning products' acids, chemicals, and alkalis.

Use Citrus-Based Cleaning Products Like Ammonia, Orange, Vinegar, Or Lemon

For the same reasons stated above, using alkaline or acidic cleaners on granite is not advised. Avoid using cleaning products that include these chemicals, or consider using a combination of mild detergent and warm water instead. Regular cleaning with warm water is sufficient for granite countertops, and only cleaning chemicals appropriate for granite should be used for more in-depth cleaning.

Don't Use Anything Intended For Cleaning Grout, Tiles, Or Tubs.

Such cleaning powders and creams often include small abrasives that can dull or harm granite.

Never Sit Or Stand Directly On Granite!

Granite countertops are long-lasting and tough, although they are typically rigid. They also don't have a plywood backing, so heavy use in one area could shatter the surface.

Keep Liquids And Toiletries In Cabinets Rather Than Directly On The Countertop.

Over time, most bottles of liquids and utilities like cooking oil, perfumes, shampoos, and nail products leak, and it's easy to miss the drips. The countertop in your kitchen could get stained from this constant leaking. To avoid damaging granite surfaces, keeping liquids and toiletries on shelves or chic trays is best.

Conclusion 

Granite countertops are not invincible, but their strength and durability can be affected by various factors. Some common issues with granite countertops include heat damage, fissures and chips, hazing, etching, cracks, stress fractures, and harsh chemicals.

Heat damage can cause unsightly stains that may become permanent, so it is important to avoid setting extremely hot items on them as much as possible. Fissures and chips are less likely to occur due to granite's rough surface, making them less likely to chip or scratch. Hazing can result from incorrect cleaning supplies, such as dish soap, which can dull or fade the look of stone worktops. To avoid this, use stone-safe cleaners and avoid using caustic or acidic household cleaning products.

Etching can occur when exposed to acidic liquids, such as lemon juice, wine, coffee, orange juice, and soft drinks. Maintaining a protective coating over kitchen countertops is essential for avoiding unsightly etch marks. Avoiding juice, fruit, wine, and oil spills is especially important as they can etch or discolour the surfaces of granite countertops. A mixture of baking soda and acetone can be used to wash away any organic stains found on their surfaces.

Cracks can occur when granite countertops are exposed to high-stress handling, such as installation or high-stress handling. Standing on countertops all the time to reach for things or for no purpose can cause cracks and stress fractures to appear. Stains will likely set in on granite countertops after being cleaned with harsh chemicals, so it is best to keep things simple when selecting a stain remover.

Harsh chemicals like bleach and ammonia can easily damage granite kitchen countertops, so avoiding using them whenever possible is best. Instead, look for cleaners designed for granite countertops.

When cleaning supplies stop making your countertops appear as good as they once did, you may have used the wrong ones. One solution is to have a professional inspect the countertop material, preferably one from your neighborhood hardware store. Repairers can repolishing or buff the surfaces by repairing them, but it is important not to try to fix this issue alone as it could worsen the material's appearance and color.

Preventing potential issues with granite countertops is crucial. Do not use granite countertops as a chopping board for raw meat. A properly sealed granite counter should not provide a breeding ground for bacteria, as the residue left on the counter could be harmful to human health if it finds its way into another food item. Most homeowners mistakenly believe that after preparing meat or fish, they must immediately disinfect their granite kitchen counters with strong disinfectants, which can cause irreparable damage to the surface. Cutting boards and a quick wipe down with soapy water and a microfiber towel can keep your countertops looking new and prevent this problem from ever occurring.

Granite countertops are more susceptible to stains due to the wear away of acidic liquids on their surfaces. To prevent stains and fissures, it is important to exercise caution when bringing common acidic objects near your granite kitchen countertop. If you accidentally spill something on your white granite surface, use soapy water and a light cleaning immediately.

Granite countertops should not be used for direct cutting, as it may cause scratches and diminish the beauty of your countertops over time. To avoid injury, use a cutting board instead of a dull knife. If you have granite countertops and constantly damage them by dropping heavy items, consider replacing them. Storing bulky goods and heavy cookware in lower cabinets is the easiest method to protect your granite work surfaces from damage. Maintenance and cleaning procedures for granite countertops differ from those required for most stone surfaces. 

Content Summary: 

• However, the grade of your granite counter might affect how much harm is done.
• If you care about the state of your countertops, read on for some helpful advice.
• We'll go over some of the most typical issues with granite countertops and the best ways to care for them so that they retain their lustre and look great for years to come.
• In this article, you will learn some important facts about granite and how to care for these stones.
• Granite countertops may withstand heat for short periods but will be harmed by continuous exposure to high temperatures.
• If you want your granite countertops to retain their lustre, you should avoid setting extremely hot items on them as much as possible.
• However, their rough surfaces make granite countertops less likely to chip or scratch.
• While the early warning signs of etching on granite countertops may be subtle, the material may eventually lose its lustre if acidic liquids are not removed promptly.
• Maintaining a protective coating over your kitchen counters is essential for avoiding unsightly etch marks.
• Also, many common household cleaning products are caustic or acidic, so you should try them with others.
• Always quickly wipe up any liquids that may have made contact with your granite surfaces.
• Stains will likely set in on granite countertops after being cleaned with harsh chemicals.
• Granite countertops will only absorb stains if you regularly use abrasive cleaning products.
• Instead, look for cleaners designed for granite countertops.
• When cleaning supplies stop making your countertops appear as good as they once did, you may have used the wrong ones.
• Preventing Potential Issues With Granite Countertops Do not use granite countertops as a chopping board for raw meat.
• A properly sealed granite counter should not provide a breeding ground for bacteria.
• Granite countertops become more susceptible to stains because acidic liquids wear away on their surfaces.
• Since stains and fissures are more noticeable on white granite and quartz worktops, you should exercise caution when bringing common acidic objects near your granite kitchen countertop.
• Get those stains off that granite kitchen countertop right away.
• Use soapy water and a light cleaning immediately.
• Granite kitchen countertops should not be used for direct cutting.
• It's common knowledge that granite countertops are so sturdy that they can withstand being cut directly with a knife.
• Cutting directly on the granite surface might dull a knife's edge and cause damage to your countertops.
• If you want to avoid injury, utilise a cutting board.
• Storing bulky goods and heavy cookware in the lower cabinets is the easiest method to protect your granite work surfaces from damage.
• Always use caution while bringing heavy objects onto your granite counters to avoid scratching them.
• Maintenance and cleaning procedures for granite countertops differ from those required for most stone surfaces.
• Therefore, if you stick to these basic practices, caring for your granite kitchen countertops is simple and uncomplicated.
• Because of this, any spills on a granite counter must be cleaned up immediately.
• When cleaning granite worktops, using products designed for stone counters that will not harm the surface or sealer is advisable.
• Cleaning your granite countertops with dish soap will leave a film that dulls the surface over time.
• Even though granite is resistant to thermal shocks, it is possible to crack, chip, or damage the surface by accidentally laying a hot skillet or pot on it.
• When chopping on granite countertops, always use cutting boards.
• When it comes to maintaining your granite counters, there are a few things you absolutely must not do.
• Common household cleaners and chemicals like bleach and degreasers can ruin granite countertops by eroding the sealant and leaving behind unsightly stains.
• Granite surfaces are extremely sensitive to many common cleaning products' acids, chemicals, and alkalis.
• For the same reasons stated above, using alkaline or acidic cleaners on granite is not advised.
• Avoid using cleaning products that include these chemicals, or consider using a combination of mild detergent and warm water instead.
• Regular cleaning with warm water is sufficient for granite countertops, and only cleaning chemicals appropriate for granite should be used for more in-depth cleaning.
• The countertop in your kitchen could get stained from this constant leaking.
• To avoid damaging granite surfaces, keeping liquids and toiletries on shelves or chic trays is best.