It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Bring on the tasty treats and good times that come with the holiday season. This time of year we tend to spend a lot of time in the kitchen baking and cooking. With this also comes spills from red wine and crumbs from apple pie remaining on your beautiful granite countertops. Without the proper care and attention, these small accidents and spills can ruin your granite countertops. With that said, prevention is key! Here are a few easy tips on keeping your granite countertops preserved throughout the busy season.
Quickly Clean Granite Countertops
Accidents happen! Did you manage to get a splash of apple cider or hot cocoa on your granite countertops? Be sure to clean up the spill as soon as it happens. Start by wiping the countertop with warm, soapy water and thoroughly clean and wipe the surface dry. If you do not have any specialty cleaner on hand don’t fear, mild soap and warm water will do just fine! We highly recommend against using cleaning products such as Windex or bleach on granite. When using substances that are highly acidic it will dull the granite countertop and weaken the sealant. Also avoid using abrasive cleaner or scouring pads on you countertop so you do not scratch the surface. We also offer Granite Gold® countertop cleaners to keep your countertops sparkling!
Remove Stains From Granite Countertops
If your red and green food coloring went unattended for too long and created a stain, make a paste of baking soda and water. Scrub the stained granite gently with the paste and a soft towel then rinse thoroughly. It may take several attempts to remove the stain from your granite countertops. If the stain still remains, put the baking soda and water paste on the spot and securely cover the stain. You can use plastic wrap to do this. Let the paste sit on top of the stain till it dries. Once the paste is dry, use a soft towel to wipe away and rinse it off with warm water.
For those extremely tough stains, contact the countertop experts at BC Stone and one of our team members will assist you!
Reseal Your Granite Countertops
Try the water test! The water test is a simple way to check the status of the sealant on your granite countertops. Pour a small amount of water onto various sections of the counter and wait for a reaction. If the water absorbs, it is time to have your granite countertops resealed! You can tell if the water has been absorbed into the stone because the granite will darken. The water should sit for 30 minutes when performing the test, but you may notice the granite darkening more quickly if your sealant has worn down.
Even with proper care, granite countertops will need to be resealed periodically due to their porous nature. Daily wear and tear will weaken the sealant, leaving the granite dull and more susceptible to stains. Resealing granite countertops is a job for professionals and we do not recommend trying to do it yourself. At BC Stone, we recommend having your granite countertops resealed every one to two years, depending on how frequently you clean and the usage of your countertop. Implementing these helpful tips will make the sealant last and keep your granite countertops beautiful!
With these easy tips, you can make it through the holidays without the fear of ruining your countertops. If you are searching for granite countertops in Everett, Bedford, Manns Choice, Valley-Hi, or Pittsburgh, stop by our showroom to browse our granite selection! Our team of highly skilled granite fabricators would love to help bring your dream kitchen to life!
