Granite Maintenance
1. Generally, you can clean your granite countertop with warm soapy water.
2. If you need a stronger cleaner, you can use rubbing alcohol or denatured alcohol.
3. Th enhance the shine and finish of your countertop, use a good "stone polish". We carry some of the best polishes available in our showroom.
4. If a spill should occur, clean it up before the liquid has a chance to penetrate the surface. Although your granite is currently sealed and protected, it is good practice to clean up all spills as quickly as possible.
5. Using regular cleaning chemicals on your countertop will strip the seal and leave the porous surface of the granite exposed.
6. Avoid using acidic products to clean with, such as vinegar and citrus based cleaners.
7. Avoid using products with ammonia in them.
8. Avoid leaving wet containers directly on the granite countertop. Spills are not the only way liquids can seep into the granite. Containers, such as olive oil bottles, are often hard to keep completely dry, and the layer of olive oil on the bottom of the bottle will discolor the granite with prolonged contact. Leave these types of containers on a shelf or in a cabinet.
9. Use a cutting board when preparing food. Cutting directly on the granite can damage your knives and in some cases can scratch the countertop as well.
10. Do a water test on your granite at least once a year. This will help determine if your countertop need to be re-sealed. Simply apply a tablespoon of water on your countertop, allow it to sit there for a couple of minutes, and then wipe the surface clean with a dry cloth. If the area that the water was on darkened at all or still appears wet, then it is time to re-seal your countertop. You may also notice the granite turn darker when cleaning it. If so, then you need to have the granite sealed.
For more information on granite and other countertops, visit us @ www.triadgranite.com.
