There are a lot of suggestions on maintaining your granite countertop. Here is one article I found searching the internet. The original article can be found here.
If you are considering having granite countertops installed in your home you want to know how to care for them so that they stay looking perfect. Granite countertops have a luxuriant, polished sheen and a smooth, natural beauty that is evocative of a rich timelessness. Their rugged durability and elegant look complement any interior design and especially lend themselves well to the rustic feel of a log home.
It’s important to know a few simple tips to care for your granite to keep it looking polished and new. You don’t want to use the wrong product and permanently damage your new countertops.
Short-Term Care
The most important thing to do is a simple daily wiping and cleaning. This is the same as you would do with any countertop, but it’s important to use the right cleaners for granite. Many cleaners are too acidic and can damage the sealant that is applied to granite countertops (more below). This can allow chemicals to seep into the pores of the granite and cause discoloration.
Choose a non-acidic cleaner, such as Formula 409 Natural Stone Cleaner, and you won’t have to worry about stripping the sealant from your granite.
Be very careful not to use an acid called HF or Hydrofluoric acid. It is used in many rust removers and it will severely dull, etch and pit a polished granite countertop surface.
Long-Term Care
In the long-term you should apply a sealant two times a year to seal the pores in the granite and protect the surface. This is as simple as wiping the sealant onto the granite and wiping it off.
One good sealant is called StoneTech BulletProof Stone Sealer, but for a cheaper alternative you can use plain old car wax.
With these simple steps you will keep your granite countertops gleaming with an understated elegance that is both functional and appealing.
If you enjoyed reading about granite countertops, you may want to read more about log home interior design.
Brian Gabriel is a licensed contractor, mechanical engineer and log home builder in the mountains of western North Carolina. He is the author and designer of the website Log Cabin Connection, created to offer advice, tips, ideas and resources related to log cabins.
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