Homeowners don't need to worry about damaging their countertops with everyday use because granite is quite heat resistant. Placing a hot pan on a well-maintained granite slab will not cause it to crack or weaken. Just remember that repeatedly placing a very hot pan on the same spot may cause granite to discolor.
These natural stone surfaces are among the most resistant to heat that you can find for kitchen countertops or other home surfaces. Placing hot pots, hot pans and hot items in general will not damage your granite countertop.
Clorox, whether it is Clorox wipes or the Multi-Purpose cleaning fluid, is not safe to use for cleaning and disinfecting your granite. The multi-purpose cleaner contains bleach, which is extremely harmful for granite and many other natural stones.
Hard stone countertops like granite and quartz can withstand knife work in the kitchen without scratching. However, if you cut acidic foods like citrus fruits, the acid can degrade the surface of the countertop, leaving a noticeable dull spot.
Rustic and unique, fashionable and chic, leathered granite is easy to maintain and lovely to behold. For more information on countertop materials such as Corian, Quartz and more, check out our guide to kitchen and bathroom countertop blog.
Sealing any granite countertop is recommended to increase its durability and resistance to stain and damage. However, sealing your leathered granite will give it some sheen which is what people are trying to avoid when choosing leathered granite.
Leathered granite is a lot easier to scratch than other surfaces. The various grooves and other imperfections in leathered granite help it to maintain a natural look, but it also makes the product more susceptible to damage.
Does Leathered Granite Stain Easily? Leathered granite is more stain-resistant than honed granite and disguises smudges and water spots better than polished granite. A leathered finish will also better accentuate your stone's natural color than a honed finish.
In terms of cleaning, you can use just soap and warm water to clean any granite countertop. For leathered granite specifically, you can use a hand broom to remove crumbs and dust that may become trapped in the grooves. If you clean and seal your granite countertop as needed, it will look amazing for years to come.
Leathering can leave a granite slab as smooth or rough as the homeowner desires. If you can imagine a standard polished kitchen countertop, where you can almost see your reflection, this would be the opposite. Leathered granite provides a sleek, smooth, non-reflective countertop surface.
It is likely that it would break off or fracture if removed. Taking it out successfully is theoretically possible, but really risky. Leathering it in place would be so dusty, you will be sorry. And, the leathering result when done in place might be splotchy.
It is more likely to be in stock from suppliers, which makes it less expensive than a leathered granite. Leathered granite is a less common finish and may require special ordering and other particulars that increase costs, even though the fabricating process is usually less involved than a polished stone procedure.
However, not all granite colors can come in a honed or leather finish since the integrity of the slab might be sacrificed due to the amount of minerals in the granite. Polished granite counters are beautiful, practical, and elegant.
Spray the granite surface with natural stone cleaner or dampen a cloth and apply one or two drops of mild dish detergent to the cloth. Wipe the granite thoroughly to remove any dirt or spills. Scrub any tough stains with a nylon scrub brush.
A very general guide is that "granite" will need sealing upon install and resealing every 3-5 years.
Most granite is very stain resistant and does not “require” sealing. However, sealing is an added precaution, and many fabricators and installers do recommend it. Quality Granite & Marble typically makes this determination, and applies sealer when needed.
Ubatuba granite most often does not need sealing because it is typically a very dense, low-absorbency stone that is naturally stain-resistant.
Generally, you should seal most kitchen granite countertops annually. Keep in mind that different pieces of granite have different porosities. Some countertop areas may need to be sealed more often than others.
Since granite countertops have a sealant on them to keep them shiny and stain-resistant, you want to avoid using anything too acidic or basic on the granite. Frequent use of vinegar, Windex or bleach will dull the granite and weaken the sealant. Instead, a little soap and water should do the trick.
Simply get a quality soap film remover to get the shine back. High mineral content in your water (hard water) can also result in a dulling buildup on your countertops. Most soap film removers will do the job, but you can also find combination soap buildup/mineral deposit removers that can tackle both problems.
Hot water and dish soap should be adequate for daily sanitizing. However, if a disinfectant is desired, reach for a bottle of 70% isopropyl alcohol. Spray it onto the granite, allow to sit for three to five minutes, and then rinse with water and dry with a clean microfiber cloth. Avoid bleach or ammonia-based cleaners.