We invest a lot of money on our granite countertops because we love kitchens, bathtubs and fireplaces that have granite finish. Granite countertops too provide good service in general for the money that we spend. They are generally resistant to heat, scratches and stains. However, all these positive qualities of granite have their own limitations. Granite countertops require their care for longer life.
If we take some basic precautions we can certainly keep our granite countertops for a longer period of time before we need to think of remodeling. One of the basic things is that we should avoid spilling acidic liquids as they will wear off the protective sealant that protects the granite surface from absorbing water and other fluids. Absorption of water or other fluids will lead to discoloration and stains.
You must not cut or chop directly on the granite surface as this can scratch the protective sealant initially and then the inner surface too can be scratched eventually.
Make sure to clean the granite surface of the countertop regularly. It is best to wipe the surface after every use. This will clean any left over food particles that can corrode the surface. Clean the surface with a sponge and some gentle detergent. Do not place heavy objects on the top of the countertops or drag heavy objects that can damage the granite surface.
Do not place pans and vessels directly out of the flame or your cooking range on to your granite. Granite in general is heat resistant but metals such as steel when heated up reaches extremely high temperature that can damage the surface of the granite countertop. Placing hot pans can create black marks on the granite surface.
You can follow few basic safety measures such as using a mat or tray to place the hot vessels. You can also use your cutting board to place the hot pans or vessels. If you are forced to keep the pans directly on to the granite surface allow it to cool before you place it on the top of the granite countertop. Normally pans will have black marks at the bottom and it must be cleaned before you place it on the countertop.
However, if you happen to damage the surface of the granite countertop you can use special creams and cleaning solutions that you can get from your Minnesota granite countertops dealer from whom you purchased your countertop. All surface stains can be removed using these solutions but deeper stains would require the attention of professional servicemen. If you are still within the warranty period you can approach your Minnesota granite countertop dealer for your free servicing.
Following the above simple guidelines and daily general cleaning you will be able to protect your granite countertop from many problems. These measures are not at all complicated and everyone will be able to follow these very easily you. Though these are simple tips, following these tips can really be rewarding.
