So, you’ve chosen a material and have your new countertops installed. Now for that dreaded word : maintenance. Cue the ominous music!
Just kidding! Taking care of stone countertops can be really easy as long as you follow a few guidelines. Today we’ll outline the simple steps you can take to keep your counters looking beautiful for years to come.
1- Seal as needed
This is the one that seems to concern most people, but it really isn’t difficult. Sealing granite or marble is very similar to polishing furniture or waxing a car. Most sealers last one to three years and only take half an hour to apply, including the 15 to 20 minutes they need to “soak” into the stone. Testing if it needs resealing is simple as well. Just put a few drops of water and oil on an out of the way spot and make sure the stone doesn’t discolor after about 15 minutes.
Bonus Tip: If your sealer is still good, resealing won’t help. It’ll just leave a hazy film.
2- Clean regularly
Most stains and etching can be prevented just by wiping down your counter tops and cleaning spills promptly. Using a microfiber cloth and a stone safe cleaner every day will help preserve the original look of the stone. If something is spilled, especially if it’s acidic (like wine or soda) clean it immediately to prevent stains.
3- Protect the surface
Although some stone surfaces are lauded for their durability, there’s no reason to be reckless. Do like your mama said and use a coaster. Trivets, mats, and other buffers between your counters and liquids or heat will go a long way to preventing unnecessary damage. Also avoid using the surface as a cutting board. It can be done, and some stones are extremely scratch resistant, but this can lead to noticeable damage and is bad for your knives.
That’s it. It really is that easy to keep your new counter tops looking as great as they did the day they were installed. We hope this can put your mind at ease about taking care of stone surfaces.
Jarrod
Granite South Consultant
