How Do I Re-Seal My Granite Counter Top?

If you have one of those beautiful new kitchens with a granite counter top, you know when house cleaning times comes around that your counter top needs a little extra care to look its best. A black or dark colored granite counter top sometimes shows water marks if you do not dry it properly or use a special cleaner.

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But even more important than routine cleaning of your countertop while house cleaning is re-sealing it on a regular basis. If your countertop has been in for more than a year, it is definitely time to reseal it. You do not want it to go unprotected or you may have the unfortunate occurrence of chemical damage and stains. Re-sealing your granite countertop is not a difficult process and you can do it yourself.

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The first step to take when re-sealing your countertop is to clean it thoroughly as you usually when do when house cleaning. Dry it thoroughly. Next apply any natural stone, regular sealer. This can be purchased at most home improvement stores such as Home Depot or Lowes. When applying the sealer, spread evenly over the entire granite surface using a clean, dry cotton cloth. Allow the sealer to dry over night.

The following morning, remove any excess cleaner using a paper towel. Then make a very mild solution of dishwashing soap and water, approximately 10% soap and 90% water. Wash your granite countertop with the soap and water cleaning solution. Again dry with a paper towel.

To keep your granite counter top in excellent condition, repeat this process every six months. Keeping up with routine sealing with keep your granite shine looking like new. In between, during your regular housekeeping routine, clean your counter tops with a light soap and water mixture.

There are a few things you should never use on granite counter tops at any time. These include ammonia and alcohol. Using either of these solutions while house cleaning can remove the sealer from the stone leaving it unprotected. Without the protection of the sealer your countertop can be stained even by some common household items as coffee and wine and the like.

If you keep up with regular house cleaning of your granite countertop and re-seal it every six months, the shine on your countertop will remain beautiful for as long as you own it. It's worth the little extra time and effort to keep your countertop protected and in good condition. Granite is a beautiful stone and proper care keeps it looking beautiful.

How Do I Re-Seal My Granite Counter Top?

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Granite Countertops Care 101

There are, however, two angles of granite countertops care that you need to know if you want to make your conutertop look as good as when the day you bought it even after years of use: one is its short-term care while the other is its long-term care.

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Short-term granite countertops care

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The short-term granite countertops care involves keeping the surface free of everyday spills to keep it clean and hygienic. All that is needed for the daily maintenance of granite countertops is a soft, absorbent cloth and some mild detergent.

This removes any surface deposits and keeps your countertop looking like new. Granite may be impervious to stains, but spillage of harsh chemicals must be cleaned up as soon as possible.

It is important to keep in mind that contrary to popular belief, the sealant that gives granite countertops its gloss can be damaged by certain types of substances. It is especially susceptible to acidic substances, and common kitchen items liquids such as vinegar or lemon juice can eat away at the sealant if not immediately sponged off.

Harsh chemicals should similarly be avoided when cleaning the surface. Again, the sealant can be damaged by the chemicals in them, and even some powder detergents may have particles that could scratch the sealant. For daily granite countertops care, here are a few tips:

-Dust the surface regularly.
-To disinfect, only use a few drops of cleaners with neutral pH, a mild liquid dishwashing solution, or stone soap.
-Rinse the surface properly after applying detergents, cleaners, and soap solutions.
-Never mix ammonia and bleach, as this combination gives rise to a toxic gas which may even be lethal.
-Even if granite countertops are heat resistant, avoid placing extremely hot pots and pans on the surface without trivets as the surface absorbs heat rapidly and tends to spread it.

Long-term granite countertops care

This type of care won't take too much of your time but is extremely important for the longevity of your countertop. This refers to the reapplication of sealant twice a year, as you won't be able to detect the wearing away of the sealant over a period but it fades and is affected by acids nevertheless.

In order to keep it looking new, apply a special granite sealant on it every 6 months. Ask your countertop dealer where to purchase this, or look for it in home depots or at Lowes.

The easiest way to apply it is by pouring it into a spray bottle to avoid mess. Simply spray it over the entire granite Kitchen Countertop Tips, gently wipe to incorporate it into the stone surface, and let dry for a few hours. You can also use regular car wax if you don't want to spend too much on a sealant. This process takes only about 3 minutes but helps to make your countertop last a lifetime.

Granite Countertops Care 101

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