When you install granite countertops or any other types of countertops, you need to take good care of them. Here are tips on how to take care of the various materials:
Granite
Granite countertops are the most popular pieces that you will find in most homes. The cool thing with them is that they are timeless and as long as you take good care of them, they don’t fail you. For you to take good care of the countertops, you need to avoid using acidic cleaners.
When there are spills, you should get rid of them as soon as they happen. When cleaning them, use a damp sponge. Avoid any material that might scratch the surface. At least once a year, reseal the countertops. This is to prevent stains from coming about.
Corian
Just like their granite counterparts, Corian countertops are easy to maintain. When you take good care of it, it has the ability to last for decades. You should note that the countertops are susceptible to spills and liquids that you allow to dry on the surface.
For you to clean the pieces all you need is soapy water. For you to preserve the finish and sheen, avoid placing hot objects directly on the surface.
Marble
Most people who have installed marble countertops report that they are challenging to maintain. The cool thing is that they are beautiful to look at. Their luxe, white and airy look gives your kitchen an elegant look.
Marble contractors report that the material looks great with any cabinet color; therefore, don’t shy away from going for it regardless of the design of your kitchen.
Just like the other pieces in the market, one of the things you should do to the pieces is to clean them regularly. The cool thing is that there are plenty of cleaners in the market that you can go for. You can use warm water and a little dish soap to clean the surface.
As rule of thumb, avoid lemon or acid-based soaps as they tend to damage the surface.
Since the material is made from natural stone, marble is porous. This means that when spills happen, especially with darker liquids such as wine, coffee, and tea, you have to get rid of them as soon as possible.
You should reseal the countertops when water stops beading on the surface.
Quartz
Quartz countertops have recently gained popularity. This is due to last their extensive feature on TV shows. The cool thing with the countertops is that they are stain resistant and non-porous.
For you to keep them in good working condition you need to regularly clean them. When spills happen, you should clean them with a soft rag or paper as soon as they happen. Remember to use mild detergents and non-bleach cleaners when you need to clean the pieces.
You should note that while quartz is scratch and heat-resistant, it’s not scratchproof and heatproof. Due to this, you should always use cutting boards and trivets to protect the counters.
Concrete
The countertops came into the limelight during the industrial and farmhouse-style kitchens. When properly installed, concrete countertops give your kitchen a unique and elegant style.
Although the countertops are sealed, they tend to fall victims to stains, especially when you are dealing with oils and moisture. For you to protect your countertops, you should keep a cloth or kitchen towel in close proximity. You use the towel to get rid of any spills as soon as they happen.
You should take caution when dealing with damp materials such as shopping bags, frozen foods, and paper napkins. As rule of thumb, never leave them on the counters. This is to prevent stains from coming about.
Soapstone
The most attractive thing with soapstone is that it’s non-porous and completely stain-resistant. In its natural state, soapstone has a light gray color. When you add a mineral oil seal, you can enrich the gray to a dark charcoal color.
Granite countertop installers Durham and other professionals agree that when you seal the countertops properly, they tend to withstand heavy duty use quite well. When you notice scratches on the countertops, you only need to apply mineral oil and you will be good to go.
