Granite countertops increase the value of your home and elevate the style of your kitchen as well. To keep your granite countertops in top condition, you should avoid some practices and habits explained below.

Placing Raw Meat On Granite Countertops

Granite countertops are porous and bacteria from raw meat can contaminate the surface. Usually, granite countertops are sealed, but the risk is still there. Moreover, if the granite surface is sealed and bacteria from raw meat doesn’t penetrate the countertop, it will stay on top of it and contaminate any other material you place on your countertop.

On top of that, people who work on raw meat on the granite surface, use cleaners to cleanse the countertop. Many of these cleaners can damage the seal and discolor the countertop.

The damage from placing raw meat on granite countertops is significant, but the solution is easy. Use a cutting board for placing and cutting meat.

Ignoring Spills On The Countertop

Spills on countertops are bound to happen in a kitchen. If you leave spills on your granite countertop, they will etch the surface. It will damage the seal and leave stains on your granite counter surface.

Therefore, whenever a spill occurs, the first thing on your mind should be cleaning the countertop.

Using Knives And Cutting Food Directly On The Granite Counter

Granite is a durable material and fares well against knives if used rarely. However, regularly cutting food on the surface will leave scratches on the countertop. The scratches will take away the beauty of your granite countertops.

Moreover, using knives on granite countertop damage their blades as well. A dull blade of a knife can lead to accidental cuts because the person puts more pressure on it. So, the use of a cutting board can prevent many problems and accidents.

Storing Acidic Household Items On The Countertop

We commonly store some common items on the countertop. But some items should not be stored on granite countertops. Acidic household items like vinegar, citrus fruits, soft drink, and others can etch the granite surface if these items are stored on the countertop. Make sure that you keep them in the cabinets or any other place.

Using Harsh Cleaners

Many people use store-bought cleaners for cleaning the surface of their countertops. They clean the surface of counters well, but they also weaken the countertop and it appears dull in a couple of cleaning sessions.

The reason behind this is the acidic nature of these cleaners which can damage granite and almost all other types of countertops.

When choosing a cleaner, make sure it doesn’t contain bleach, ammonia, abrasives, or ammonia. Furthermore, use a cleaner made for granite countertops to keep your countertop shiny.

Putting Hot Pans On Granite Countertops

Granite has a high heat tolerance. It is heat resistant up to 480 degrees Fahrenheit. So heat won’t break or melt the countertop at all. However, frequently putting hot pans on the countertop that you just removed from the stove can damage the seal and the surface of the granite.

Granite is resistant to high degrees of heat but the sealant isn’t. With frequent encounters with hot pans, the seal will wear out exposing the granite surface to acids, water, spills, and other things. Due to this, your granite counter won’t be stain-resistant anymore and will weaken over time.

So, always put a barrier between the countertop and hot pans. Use trivets and potholders to ensure your granite countertops stays in top condition for a long time.

Additionally, you should be careful with sudden changes in temperature for the countertop. If you put a hot pan on the counter, remove it, and then place a frozen chicken on the granite surface, it can crack your countertop. To avoid this problem, again, use a barrier between the countertop and the item you’re placing on the countertop.

Putting Too Much Weight On The Countertop

Granite countertops are durable, but if you sit or stand on the countertop, it can crack. Similarly, avoid putting extremely heavy items on the countertop.

Conclusion

Granite countertops can last for decades given that they are maintained. If your countertop is stained or cracked and you need to seal or replace it, get in touch with granite contractors Rockville.