How To: Care For Your Countertops

Updating your kitchen countertops is a big decision and there are a lot of things to keep in mind. From the design process and choosing the right countertops for your kitchen, to their aftercare and upkeep are all things you should think about before buying granite countertops at the Lake of the Ozarks. For some homeowners, how to properly clean their granite countertops is one of their biggest concerns. There is so much information out there and it can be stressful and overwhelming. Metro Marble & Granite has some easy and simple steps for you to follow in order to keep your granite countertops shiny and looking brand new.

Start With Sealing

One of the most important steps in installing and maintaining your granite countertops is to properly seal them. When your countertops are installed you should have them sealed then. Granite is a durable material, but if it is not properly sealed, it can absorb spills and stains which can cause damage to your countertop. Even though your countertops will be sealed during installation, it’s important to reseal them once a year. If you use your countertops frequently and are a little rougher with them, you may need to seal them more frequently.

Tip: You can check to see if your counters need to be resealed with the water test. Place a few drops of water on top of your countertop. If the drops bead up and look like raindrops on a freshly waxed car, then you don’t need to reseal. If those water drops soak into the counter after a few moments, then it’s time to reseal.

Daily Cleaning

Knowing that you have a good seal on your counter means you can now focus on the daily cleaning. When wiping down your granite countertops each day, you should use warm water, mild dish soap, and a soft cloth. If you feel like the mild soap isn’t making your granite as shiny as it once was, there are special granite cleaners you can buy. If you do go this route, it’s extremely important to make sure the cleaners you use are specifically designed for granite.

Tip: Don’t use rough sponges, abrasive cleaners, or acidic cleaners on your counters. These products will damage the seal over time and can have a negative impact on your counters. 

Occasional Disinfecting

Wiping down your countertops daily is great, but when you need to kick it up a notch and truly kill some germs, you can buy special granite disinfecting chemicals, or you can go the DIY route. If you want to create your own, you simply need to mix equal parts of water with 91% isopropyl alcohol into a spray bottle. This mixture not only disinfects, but it will also shine the granite. Once you’ve mixed together the solution, spray it onto the counters and let it sit for about 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, you will need to use warm water to rinse the cleaner. Make sure you dry the counters with a soft cloth.

Tip: When drying the counters, a microfiber cloth is best. Also, do not use bleach-based cleaners, they are not safe for your countertops.

Spills

Everyone spills, and they are bound to happen. With granite countertops, it’s important to clean up spills as soon as they happen. Spills, especially with wine or ketchup, can cause damage to the sealer and even the granite.

Tip: When cleaning up spills, always use warm water, mild dish soap, and a soft cloth. This will help prevent staining, but it will also protect your counters and the sealer on them.

Granite Countertops At The Lake 

Metro Marble & Granite hopes that these tips help you when it comes to cleaning your granite countertops. It might seem overwhelming, but with these simple steps, it’s a relatively easy process. If you’re wanting to remodel your kitchen and are looking for a countertop company at the Lake of the Ozarks, stop by and visit our showroom or check out our website. If you’re looking for granite, marble, or quartz, Metro Marble & Granite can help you.
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Phone: (573) 552-0140
Teri@MetroMarble.com


2820 Bagnell Dam Blvd. Suite A-4Lake Ozark, Missouri
Location: Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri, USA

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