Spring cleaning is underway, and one thing you shouldn’t forget about is your natural stone kitchen countertops. Although you should pay special attention to them throughout the year, now is a good time to ensure they stay in the best possible shape for longevity.
Granite and marble are very durable natural stone countertops.
However, this doesn’t mean they are indestructible. Water stains, etching, cracking, and other visual imperfections can quickly turn your beautiful countertops into an eyesore. To ensure your natural countertops maintain their showroom beauty, you should keep the following five tips in mind this season.
Ditch the All-Purpose Cleaners
If you want to keep your stone countertops in great shape this spring, you can start by getting rid of all-purpose cleaners. These types of cleaners may have worked well with your porcelain or laminate countertops in the past. However, these are a “no-no” for natural stone.
The reason these types of cleaners can be detrimental to your natural stone is that the key ingredients may be acidic or abrasive. Active ingredients such as vinegar, bleach, or lemon can etch your natural stone, making it look dull in certain areas.
Sticking to cleaners specifically formulated for your stone type or using a gentle dish liquid, such as Dawn diluted with water, can clean much better than all-purpose cleaners without etching.
Use Microfiber Cloth
In addition to cleaning your natural stone with the right cleaning agents, it’s a wise idea to avoid paper towels, stiff sponges, and rough rags. Instead, it’s best to stick with a microfiber cloth, which is soft on the surface and can help buff your stone to a shine.
Allowing your stone to air-dry after cleaning could lead to water stains and unsightly streaks. However, a microfiber cloth will lift away excess moisture and give your stone countertops the showroom shine you loved before you purchased your countertops.
Check the Sealant
With marble and granite being two of the most durable natural stones on the market, it’s difficult to imagine that something as simple as water can damage them. Unfortunately, water and other liquids can seep down into these highly porous stones and leave ugly stains. Something as simple as condensation from soda cans can leave unsightly rings on your natural stone.
Instead of falling victim to water stains and discoloration this spring, now is a good time to seal your stone countertops. If they’ve been sealed before, you’ll need to ensure they are still properly sealed and not absorbing liquids. You can perform the water test by dripping a small bead of water on the surface to see how it reacts.
If it beads up, your sealant is still effective. However, if liquid soaks into the surface of your stone countertops, you should reseal your countertops this spring.
Tackle the Gunk
You’ll want to clean and maintain your stone countertops this spring, but please keep in mind the surrounding areas that can harbor gunk, oil, and dirt. Here are a few other places around the natural stone you’ll want to clean this spring to keep them looking beautiful.
In the Grout
If you have tile stone countertops, you may have grout surrounding them. As you use your countertops, dirt, liquids, and other grime may seep into the grout, causing it to look unsightly. You’ll need to clean the grout to remove the dark spots.
Remember, you can’t use acidic or abrasive cleaning agents to clean the grout. Ideally, you may have to steam-clean the areas or rely on a restoration expert to clean the grout between your natural stone tiles.
Between the Stove and the Countertops
Don’t forget about the area between the stove and the countertops. This space can be crawling with old spaghetti sauce, meat droppings, crumbs, and a smorgasbord of other disgusting buildup. The best way to tackle the dirt stuck in this area is to pull out the stove and clean the sides of the stone closest to the stove.
However, if you don’t have the luxury of moving the stove, the next best option is to use a handheld vacuum to remove loose gunk between the stove and the countertop. For more caked-on grime, a steamer can help loosen it. Follow up by using a butter knife wrapped with a thin microfiber cloth to clean between the crevices after steaming.
Protect Your Countertops
One more way to keep your stone countertops looking their best this spring is to avoid damaging them with heat or condensation. Using coasters for drinks and trivets for hot dishes will keep your granite countertops looking their best and minimize the need to call on the restoration experts for preventable blemishes.
Beautiful Granite, Marble, and Quartz Countertops That Last
If you do not already have stone countertops, now may be the perfect time to make the switch to granite, marble, or quartz. The countertop professionals at Wisconsin Granite Design are here to help. Our Oak Creek showroom offers a wide selection of colors, patterns, and stone types to fit your style and space.
Whether you are planning a kitchen remodel, replacing outdated countertops, or choosing stone surfaces for a new project, our countertop installation and design team is ready. Call or visit us today and get your Free Estimate.