Granite Maintenance & Care Guide

Worktops come in a variety of colours, sizes, designs and materials so there is always something for everyone. One of the more expensive options for your worktop is granite but for good reason. Granite is an extremely durable material that will last for years to come and can even increase the value of your property by up to 25%. However, this material will only have these benefits if it is looked after properly, this guide should help you to understand this material better and learn how to take care of it properly.

 

Everyday Care

Granite can only be scratched by materials that are harder than itself, such as diamonds, so watch out for any diamond jewellery you may own. Knives are made out of a softer material so they shouldn’t cause any harm to your granite worktops. However, we’d still advise you to use a chopping board because chopping straight onto granite can actually make your knives blunt.

Granite itself is also very heat resistant and pots and pans that are placed on it, up to about 500 degrees Celcius, shouldn’t affect it. However, your granite is usually covered in a protective coating which is less resistant to heat than the stone itself, so if you burn through that, it could create black rings from the pots and become more prone to staining. Therefore, it is recommended to put pots and pans onto mats rather than directly onto the worktop so it lasts for as long as possible.

 

Cleaning the Worktop

When cleaning your worktops, make sure not to use scouring brushes, abrasive sponges or any alkaline detergents. Most of the time the best thing to use is a dry soft cloth which will gently remove any basic dirt. However, if something has been spilt on the worktop or it just needs a clean from daily use, you can use water to tidy it up. Once a week, it is also a good idea to use a natural ph detergent to clean it properly.

When looked after properly, granite doesn’t really stain. However, like anything, if the stain has been sitting on the surface for a while and has soaked in, it will become harder to remove. Especially oils, fruit juices and wine so make sure that you clean up any stains as quickly as you can.

 

Granite Maintenance 

Granite sealants do break down over time, so to keep the worktop in a good condition for as long as possible, it is recommended to seal it around every three months. Sealing your worktops is very important because it adds a protective barrier that prevents stains.

The sealer is very easy to apply, you need to spray it all over your worktop and allow it to sit for 10 minutes but while doing this, make sure the room is properly ventilated. After the time is up, wipe over the worktop with a clean paper cloth in circular motions to remove any excess liquid. Then you need to leave your counter to rest and don’t touch it for at least 6 hours. Remember that before you use it, it is important to clean it again to remove any remaining residue.

 

Contact Us

If you are looking for some new granite worktops, our experienced team can give you some further advice on the product to see if it is right for you. Just give us a call on 01708374121 or fill out our online contact form.