Granite is one of the most popular and favoured choices for kitchen and bathroom countertops in Canada. There are many reasons for its popularity, such as durability, aesthetics, affordability and convenient cleaning. Granite is a very hard, igneous rock, which consists of quartz, mica and feldspar. Furthermore, it comes in various nuances, which is another very attractive property that dazzles a great number of homeowners looking to install granite countertops.
As for its cleaning, surprisingly it is one of the easiest – if not the easiest – surface to clean. It requires very simple maintenance, wiping it with a wet cloth being one of the most fundamental requirements; however, there are a few other ways to ensure its cleanness and longevity. So, let’s have a look at what you can do to make sure your granite countertops are thoroughly cleaned and stay as good as new for years upon years.
Good ol’ fashioned soap and water
It might sound like a cliché, but regular soap and water will do the trick when it comes to an easy and efficient maintenance of your granite countertops. Furthermore, to prevent sticky stains from drying on the surface, and making your kitchen look like a mess, try to react to spills as soon as they take place and wipe them off – do not put off cleaning them up until later.
Use a pH neutral cleaner
If you want to try other options besides regular soap, you can choose between a plethora of efficient cleaners that can be purchased in most stores, however, there is one thing to look out for – the pH level. The pH level basically refers to acidity (0-6 alkaline and 8-14 acidic). A substance with neutral acidity has the pH level of 7, which is what you should be looking for in countertop cleaners. While using an alkaline or neutral substance ensures that the surface and coating on your kitchen countertops do not get marred, it also helps remove greasy spills and stains.
Get a good sealing product
Because granite is naturally porous, it retains spills and stains more easily. Sealing reduces the penetration of those spills and stains. Also, sealing your countertops will give the granite surface a nice finishing touch and will also ensure that it stays in good condition for longer.
The sealing procedure is a fairly simple one that anyone can do without any assistance. The first step is to thoroughly clean the surface then apply the sealing product, which can be a temporary one (lasting about 6 months to a year) or a permanent one, depending on your preference.
Granite countertops are aesthetically pleasing, easy to clean, and most importantly an affordable option. Installing this type of durable worktop, is needless to say, a smart investment, as it will last for a lifetime – if, of course, adequately cleaned.
About the Author
Jane Sandwood is a professional freelance writer and content manager with over 10 years’ experience across many fields. Jane has a particular interest in writing about issues relating to home interiors, lifestyle and fitness. Jane ran a cleaning business and helped many clients with their countertop cleaning needs.