A gorgeous granite worktop can act as a centrepiece to your beautiful kitchen, which is why it is so important to make sure you maintain it. As rock solid and unbreakable granite looks, high levels of traffic in a kitchen can take its toll on your worktops. That’s why we’ve listed a few tips to make sure you keep your granite looking as good as new.
Keep Granite Sealed
A key step in maintaining your worktops is to keep them sealed. Granite is a porous material which means it soaks up liquids more than other worktop materials such as quartz. Not all granite worktops are the same, some absorb more moisture than others so it’s best to get it sealed every six months or at the very least a year. The amount of times it is sealed depends on the colour and density of the granite, the lighter and thicker the stone, the more likely it will need to be sealed.
Everyday Cleaning
Cleaning your surface with warm water and a microfibre cloth will do the job of helping to keep your Granite worktop sparkling on a day to day basis. Simply wipe the surface with a damp microfiber cloth everyday to reduce the smears that appear easily. If you have marks on your worktop, use a PH neutral washing up liquid or cleaning solution with some warm water, wipe with a damp microfibre cloth and buff up with another. Buffing your granite surface after cleaning will keep the surface looking shiny by eliminating water spots and streaks.
Deep Cleaning
I recommend that on a weekly basis, you give your granite worktop a deeper clean to keep it in the best possible condition. If you’re buying products off the shelf i’d suggest that you purchase a PH neutral cleaner for your worktops. Products that are PH neutral tend to be kinder to your granite, whilst lifting all marks and stains. You can also make a homemade cleaner by mixing baking powder and water together.
Long Term protection
Granite worktops are guaranteed to last a lifetime but you still need to make sure that your worktops they are looked after. Although your surface can withstand hot pans and chopping food without a board, it doesn’t necessarily mean you should. Hot pans will not damage the surface, however extreme and constant temperatures may harm the stone, therefore you should avoid leaving hot pans on the countertop for long periods of time, especially during winter. Resting ceramic objects on your countertop can slightly scratch your granite. We suggest you use mats underneath these objects to avoid any marks.
Neglected Granite
When granite has been neglected, use a heavy-duty granite approved degreaser to effectively remove any dirt, grease and grime that has built up over time. These types of products tend to be concentrated and are designed to deep clean without damaging the stone. Make sure you follow the manufacturers instructions carefully to ensure you don’t damage your countertop.
Granite countertops are a gorgeous addition to your home, with each being a unique piece of art that’s why it’s important to look after your worktops to ensure you get the most out of your granite. Here at Planet Granite we are experts in all things granite related therefore if you have any enquiries on how to clean your granite, don’t hesitate to get in contact with us.
Hi, I'm Karen and I work with my husband Steve at Planet Granite U.K. Limited. We produce and install granite and quartz worktops, and we love what we do! My passion lies specifically in Kitchen Design, so in my blog you'll be able to view some tips, guides and examples of wonderful kitchen designs, hope you enjoy them.