The most significant danger to granite countertops is acid, so be sure to wash up all your apple-cutting equipment and never leave food on the counter for long periods. Raw meat and acidic sauces, such as marinara and vinegar, are the worst for granite countertops.
Granite is a stone that's strong enough to support the weight of small appliances and cutting boards. However, it's prone to damage from sharp objects like knives. Avoid using your granite surface as a cutting board. This can cause chips, scratches, dings, and other damage.
However, granite countertops have relatively hard surfaces and aren't as easily cracked or damaged. While they are immensely durable, there's still a chance of chipping and fissures occurring during transportation and installation. As hard as they are, they aren't immune to impact from similarly hard materials.
Still, when you clean your granite surfaces, avoid using anything acidic. "This includes lemon juice, products with citric acid, vinegar, or corrosive cleaning agents, such as bleach or ammonia," she says.
If after a few minutes the water has soaked into the granite, then it's time to reseal the stone. DON'T: Use harsh or abrasive cleaners and sponges. Windex; acidic cleaners, like vinegar, lemon, lime; or anything with ammonia or bleach should be avoided.
Don't pour soap directly on granite countertops. Stone is porous, and full strength soap can seep into pores causing tough to remove stains. Always dilute your soap with water before cleaning. Don't use an abrasive scrubber.
Vinegar is made up of acids that can severely harm your granite. Even if it is diluted, vinegar may still leave acids on your granite countertops. This can cause your natural stone countertops to etch. You can tell that your granite countertops have begun to etch by seeing a small ring or some sign of a watermark.
Watch out for red wine rings if you leave your glass on the countertop, or a leaking carton of fresh blueberries. Some other culprits include coffee, tomato juice, grape juice, mustard, citrus products, toothpaste, and anything with chemicals.
Though commonly used as a wound disinfectant, hydrogen peroxide also works wonders on your granite tops. A solution of hydrogen peroxide removes stains without bleaching or discoloring your countertops.
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.
It has a natural water resistance that helps protect it. However, it isn't water-proof. Because granite is a stone, it is also naturally porous. And while it won't absorb in the same way as, say, sandstone or limestone, it will still absorb bits of moisture that can eventually damage your counters.
Water on its own will not damage granite but it can leave a stain.
In comparison to other countertop materials, granite has the capacity to last longer than other materials. Most granite and other natural stones can last anywhere from 100 years or more; whereas marble countertops last an average of 20 years.
Jokes apart, it is expected that with proper care, the lifespan of a granite countertop can be up to 30 years or more. In fact, it can even outlive your house. However, that is just an arbitrary number that can increase or decrease depending on how you maintain granite.
Granite is a compact and hard igneous rock. The natural stone is formed by quartz, mica, and feldspar. What makes this landscape material ideal for your projects is its salt-resistance, toughness, endurance, and handsome good looks. Using granite can provide your space with an elegant aesthetic.
Note: Some experts will recommend sealing granite countertops every “6-12 months” or “3-5 years”, but there is no hard and fast rule.
Scrub the Surface
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.
Many natural stones have iron oxide within it that can rust and cause a stain. If there is metal under the stone or embedded in the stone and water comes into contact with the metal it can cause staining. There are other types of stains too, which could be from hair dye or other liquids.
Clorox and Lysol sprays and wipes are convenient, but they are not safe for granite countertops. They rarely contain bleach, but they do generally contain citric acid to help remove soap scum. Avoid using bleach as well.
How to Remove Tough Stains From Granite Surfaces. Baking soda is a really wonderful ingredient that is extremely useful for removing stains from granite without damaging the surface with harsh and abrasive chemicals. Step 1: For cleaning oil-based stains, mix baking soda and water to form a paste.
If you've got a wine or some other acid-based stain, mist the spot with distilled water, and sprinkle on the corn starch until it forms a thick layer. Cover with plastic wrap, and let it sit for 24 hours. Clean the area. If the stain persists, repeat.
Warm water and dish soap: The best way to clean granite countertops is to use a mixture of warm water and mild dish soap, such as cleaning with Dawn Powerwash, says Ahmed Jamal, cleaning expert behind CleaningAdvisor.
Luckily, everything you'll need to clean your hard surfaces can already be found in your home: Concentrated dish soap that's tough on stains and grease while staying gentle on stainless steel, granite, and glassware, like Dawn® Platinum Powerwash Dish Spray.
If liquid dish soap has left an unsightly stain or ring on your granite countertops, it's a sign your granite needs to be resealed. Soap rings can be very stubborn because they occur when the porous stone absorbs the water and soap residue.