GRANITE COUNTERTOP CARE

Whatever the quality of granite you've chosen, keeping your countertop shiny and preserving its physical characteristics requires regular, attentive care.This article offers various tips on how to care for your granite kitchen countertop.

Daily care:

For daily care, simply use lukewarm water, neutral soap and a clean sponge. Dishwashing soap is ideal. After using a product on the countertop, rinse thoroughly with clear water. Here are a few additional tips:

• Avoid abrasive products.
• Avoid scouring sponges.
• Dry the surface well with a clean cloth to avoid fingerprints and dust.
• Avoid acidic products such as vinegar, lemon juice and ammonia.
• Always use trivets and a cutting board.
• Clean up spills immediately, especially wine, juice and acidic substances.

To disinfect your countertop, mix water with 90% denatured alcohol. Spray the mixture over the entire surface and leave for 2 to 5 minutes. Don't leave it on too long to avoid damaging the sealant. Repeat this operation two or three times a week for effective disinfection of your countertop.

Annual care:

Opposed to quartz or laminate, granite requires annual maintenance to preserve its physical and aesthetic qualities. Generally, the application of a sealer is sufficient to prevent water infiltration and the accumulation of particles in cracks.

Before applying sealant, it's essential to thoroughly clean the surface to remove all particles present on the worktop. Choose your sealer according to the finish of your countertop, and follow the product-specific instructions carefully. We recommend that you let the countertop rest for about 48 hours after applying the sealer. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask the experts.

Removing stains:

To avoid stains, it's crucial to clean up any damage to your granite countertop immediately, as a worn sealant can allow substances to stain the surface. In the event of a stain, use cleaners specially formulated for granite countertops, considering the finish and type of granite in your kitchen.

For light stains, try a mixture of water and vinegar. For greasy stains such as oil or butter, prepare a mixture of three parts baking soda to one part water, then apply it to the stain. Use a clean cloth to rub the stain, then rinse thoroughly with clean water once the stain has disappeared. This method is effective, but should not be used too frequently.