Granite Countertop Care Tips

Lucky you! You have granite countertops. Great choice especially if you like to bake. Nothing beats granite for rolling out cookie dough. Granite can last and look great for a long time–as long as you take care of it. I’ve gathered a few tips on how to keep your granite counters looking pretty as new.

Preventive Care for Granite Countertops

• Granite’s a 7 on the 1 to 10 mineral hardness scale, so it’s darned hard to scratch, but not impossible. Quartz or anything harder – like your diamond ring – can scratch the surface. So can the rough edge of some stoneware dishes and pizza stones. Use mats or trivets under those kinds of things.
• Cutting directly on your countertop won’t hurt it a bit but it will dull your knives.
• Don’t store cooking oil, rusty metal (pots, pans, cans, etc.) or acidic foods directly on your granite. Over time they can cause staining.

Daily Care for Granite Countertops

Sealing
Your granite counter probably came with a sealant applied by the installer. The sealant keeps your counter from absorbing stains. Over time, that may wear down and need to be replaced. Check heavily used areas of your counter for sealant wear once a year.  If water stops beading on the surface, it’s time to reseal. You can easily do that yourself with sealer from your local home improvement store or with a product recommended by your manufacturer.

Fixing Problems

• Stains happen, especially if your sealant has worn off. Different stains require different stain removal processes. You’ll find a helpful guide to stain-specific removal techniques here.
• Lime build-up can also be a problem, particularly around faucets. Don’t use a lime removal product. Gently scrape the residue away with a single-sided razor blade instead. That’s a good solution for dried food or paint, too.
• If your granite does get chipped, save the chipped off part. You can glue it back into place with Super Glue or call a pro to restore it.

There you have it. Follow these tips and you’ll keep your granite looking beautiful for as long as you own your home. Have a handy tip or trick I didn’t cover? Let us know about it in the comments.