1. Do I need to seal my countertops and, if so, how often?
Your granite's unique color and character are a function of its density, which can vary considerably over a range of granite types. Although granite is not absorptive, the microscopic spaces or fissures between the crystals that make up your granite need to be sealed. Wholesale Granite Marble & Tile seals your countertop as part of the fabrication process. To be safe, it's best to re-seal your countertops about once a year to protect the surface and maintain its unique characteristics.
2. How often should I be cleaning my countertops?
Since a variety of foods and liquids will find their way onto your countertop each day, it is a good idea to clean your countertops every day. In fact, if you make it a habit of cleaning your countertops after washing your dishes, you will be maintaining your countertops in excellent condition for a very long time.
3. What should I use to clean my countertops?
You have several options, the first being plain soap and water. You can also use any of the many glass cleaners or specialized stone cleaners. Stay away from any of the harsh chemicals such as ammonia, which will eat away at the sealer used on your countertop. Many cleaners including soap may eventually leave a film on your countertop. You could use fine steel wool to remove the film and restore the shine to the counter. Steel wool will not harm the granite. You can also use steel wool if food or other material has dried or become stuck on the stone.
4. Can I use my countertop as a cutting board?
No, it is not recommended. We would encourage you to purchase a separate cutting board for this purpose.
5. You recommend steel wool yet isn't it true that granite can form scratch marks?
Anything harder than granite will scratch it. The diamonds used in fabrication will scratch the surface, which is how we achieve the polish that you see in the stone. However, most things that come in contact with your countertop will not scratch the stone.
6. Can I place a hot pot directly on my granite countertop?
Yes, heat will not damage your granite countertop. You can move a pot directly from the stove to your countertop without a problem. However, we would not recommend exposing your countertop to a direct open flame as that may cause irreparable damage.
7. Do I need to re-polish my granite - will it dull over time?
The shine that you see on your countertop is not a coating; it is the polished stone itself. There is no way that you can wear it away. However, a build up of dirt and film can dull the stone's appearance. We would suggest your using a fine steel wool to remove any film and restore the shine to your counter. Steel wool will not harm granite. You can also use steel wool if food or other material has dried or become stuck on the stone.
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