Kitchen is one of the places where individuals go to for sustenance. Grab some food then take it somewhere else (most likely into the couch situated in front of the TV.) Putting a touch of class in your space is good investment. A little improvement won't hurt anyone, just make sure that the project is within your budget. Home improvement need not have to be the full Monty. One can begin in a section of the house, in this case the kitchen. Be it granite tile countertops or marble flooring, installing one of these will increase the traffic in side the kitchen---not only to snatch food from the fridge but to sit and stay, embracing the warmth as exuded by the durable stone.



Before anything else, I have to mention this. Marble as compared to granite is relatively soft. So if you need a kitchen countertop, I suggest you opt for the latter. Also, marble flooring has no place in the kitchen. If a pot or pan falls---your flooring will crack. (Marble really looks good in the bathroom.)

Now, let's say you already have granite all over your kitchen space from granite kitchen sinks to granite flooring, question is are you correctly cleaning the same? You might end up damaging it instead of keeping it in good condition. Seepage may occur even in granites. Where there's seepage, discoloration and deterioration starts. Some household cleaners may react with the granite upon contact. Those that contain ammonia will sever the penetrating sealer from the granite tops. Perfumes and toothpastes may also cause damage. Acidic substances like carbonated drinks, lemon/orange juice and vinegar will cause similar effect. When cleaning granite sinks or countertops, use a product with neutral pH. My mom uses a solution of isopropyl alcohol and dishwashing detergent. Remember to look for neutral products. The ratio is two to three drops of dishwashing detergent to ¼ cup of alcohol. Place the solution in a quart sized spray bottle and fill up the container with water. Spray over countertop then wipe using soft cloth. Use a new cloth to dry the same. With these, you'll only need three ingredients, which can be easily found in a typical residential house. Another solution is to replace the alcohol with flour from the equation. Two tablespoonfuls of detergent, a cup of flour and a little bit of h2o to bring mixture to a think consistency. Mount the mixture on the spot, leave overnight covered with plastic wrap. Gingerly scrape to remove the mass using dull utensils. This mixture is meant for those tough, heavy granite tile countertop stains.

These are alternatives to the commercial products that may cause harm rather than maintenance. But if you're still geared in using commercial products or stone soaps, read the labels accurately. You want to see neutral all over the product's packaging.

Ideally, granite countertops must be resealed annually or biannually (depends really on the traffic or usage same has been receiving.) However, it should be noted that when the granite has been sealed, it doesn't mean that it'll be unwavering against stain. It only means that you'll have ample time to wipe the soiled area clean. Also, don't drag pots and pans across the countertop, this will produce scrapes and scratches. The use of coasters and placemats may prove to be helpful in the long run.

These are only a few of the tricks. Whatever you use, make sure it'll protect your investment. Remember, with proper installation and maintenance, your granite can become a companion for a lifetime.