Countertips Part III: Cleaning and Sealing

Just when you thought we were done with the countertips series, BOOM, here it is again.

Today’s lesson is cleaning. But before you bust out the supplies, it helps to make sure you actually have a countertop to clean. So first and foremost, if you don’t, browse our selection of custom granite countertops, pick out your favorite, give us a call, then read on.

Cue Jeopardy! music.

Two weeks later.

OK, that wasn’t so bad! We came, we saw, we conquered, we installed, and now you have new counters. Boy oh boy do they look beautiful.

Of course, you want them to remain just as gorgeous and clean as the day you bought them, and doing so is pretty easy, but it will take a little bit of TLC. Don’t worry, because we’re here to tell you everything you need to do to keep those counters looking like they’re brand new for years to come.

Step 1: The Basics

First of all, you’re going to want to get into a few basic habits. Don’t let them pile up with dust, debris, crumbs and so on, because that could lead to a crummy situation down the road. Try to remember to simply wipe the granite clean with a dry towel relatively frequently. Every day or two should do the trick. Wet paper towels don’t hurt either—as long as the cleaning solution is water, or a pH neutral liquid. Always dry right after you wet wipe. Raincoat sold separately.

Rule of Thumb: When it comes to the basics, you want to keep your pH level basic, NOT acidic… Acidic cleaning solutions (like vinegar) are NOT good for granite.

Step 2: Should Accidents Occur

Trust us, they WILL occur. Don’t panic. Granite is porous, but as long as you clean up spills immediately you shouldn’t run into any absorption issues. Make sure to blot spills clean for best results.

And then there’s the cuts. You want to avoid cutting and scratching your granite. Never cut directly on the counters, and always be diligent about using cutting boards.

Step 3: Extended Care

Your granite countertop will grow up faster than you know it, and be off to college in no time. No, they don’t stay young forever, but the best thing you can do to maintain its youthful innocence is seal annually. While you have several options, we recommend using a stone enhancing sealer for best results. That means not only will it set into the pores of your granite, but it will also give your pride and joy an extra shine. Sealers aren’t that time consuming to apply, and can be done effectively by simply following the label’s instructions!

And with that, you’re now well-equipped to be an excellent counter parent! Parenting isn’t always the easiest thing, but it’s certainly rewarding. Keep that in mind when that grape juice spills all over the place and you’re feeling flustered. You got this!

Thanks for reading this countertips article. We were thinking about doing one more on quartzite countertops, but that would put us at number 4 in the series and to be honest, the Roman numerals are starting to get tough. Stay tuned to see what happens next!