Best Looking Granite Worktops!

Granite worktops are a popular choice throughout both kitchens and bathrooms in homes that portray elegance and stylish decor. While they can be quite pricey, working with granite is perhaps one of the more difficult materials to both install and maintain. While it is strongly recommended for homeowners to hire a professional to install granite worktops due to their weight, caring for your granite countertops can be done with careful instruction and frequent routines. While it is recommended to hire a professional for polishing and refinishing, this will need to be done far less if the proper steps are followed throughout the years. With the proper care, your granite counters will stay looking new for years to come.

While granite is not easily scratched, as on the Mohs scale of hardness rating as a 7, it can stain and deform if not properly maintained. The most important aspect of caring for your counters is to blot up any moist spills immediately, as they are able to penetrate the polished surface. When you are cleaning your worktops, it is important to use a stone cleaner that can be found at your local home goods store. Just a few drops of this neutral cleaner can go a long way. For those that do not have stone cleaner on hand, dish soap mixed with lukewarm water will do the trick.

Use a clean soft cloth to wipe the entire surface of the counter. After you have finished wiping with the damp cloth, use a clean cloth to dry as you would with any other counter-top surface. If the surface has stains, the method of removal entirely depends on the type of stain. For oil-based stains create a homemade mixture of flour and hydrogen peroxide as it will lift the oils out of the granite surface. When applying this paste, you will apply it directly on the stain and cover it with plastic wrap for a lengthy period. Once the mixture dries scrape it away with a soft wooden utensil.

For ink stains and wine stains it is suggested to replace the hydrogen peroxide with lacquer thinner or acetone and mix it with flour. Molding plaster and pure bleach are another alternative for wine and ink, depending on the hue of the granite and the intensity of the stain.

Consult a professional for sanding and re-polishing when the granite worktop has lasted its lifetime. You should also have installers reseal the worktops every two to three years. All and all stone is one of the most maintenance free materials available in kitchen areas that keep their luster and brilliance. For areas that are too difficult to treat, leave it to the professionals.