Granite care and maintenance Printer Friendly Document Here

CONGRATULATIONS on your new granite countertops.  Granite is a durable, stain resistant surface, and if cared for properly you will enjoy its natural beauty for years to come.  Here are a few tips from Heartland Tile and Marble that will help you to maintain your new countertops correctly.

Cleaning your granite

To minimize scratching or wear patterns that can develop over time, please make sure your granite is kept dust free.  You should dust the natural stone on a regular basis to remove any loose particles.  To keep your granite clean, use a clean, non-abrasive cloth or sponge, and warm water. 

The right cleaner is also very important to keep the lasting beauty of your granite countertops.  We recommend that you use a high quality stone cleaner on your granite countertops.  The cost of this cleaner is $40.00 (including tax) per bottle.

Household cleaners not designed specifically for stone are not recommended.  These cleaners may “eat” away the seal, scratch, and possibly discolor your granite.

Sealing your granite

Granite is considered a natural stone that has been formed over millions of years.  Although you may think natural stone is hard, it is actually a porous material that can absorb spills and stains if left untreated.  We recommend the use of a top quality impregnator which will seal and protect the granite.  The impregnator will prevent most spills from staining your countertops.

After installation, we recommend that you reseal your granite countertops about every six (6) months, especially around the sink, cook top, or other areas of heavy use.  (Please note that it may be necessary to seal heavy use areas more often). Heartland Tile and Marble carries a high quality impregnator available for you.  The cost is $40.00 (tax included) per bottle.  If you purchased your granite countertops through us, we seal the granite the first time after we install them with this impregnator. 

Use the following steps to determine if your granite countertop needs sealing:

1. Make sure the countertop is clean

2. Make sure the countertop is dry

3. Place a few drops of water on the countertop in several locations.  If the water stays beaded, the top does not yet need to be sealed.  If the water spreads out, or is absorbed, then the countertop needs to be sealed.

To seal the granite, wipe on a small amount of the impregnator using a clean paper towel.  Let it sit for ten (10) to fifteen (15) minutes and then wipe off.  Do not be concerned if your stone appears darker after sealing.  If applied correctly, the stone will return to its natural color when the sealer dries completely.  After the sealer dries thoroughly, in about thirty (30) minutes, repeat the water drop test.  If the water spreads out, or is absorbed, then repeat the sealing process. 

Some granite requires more sealing than others.  You should repeat the sealing process until the water droplets bead up on the granite.  Once that happens, the granite is sealed.

On behalf of all of us at Heartland Tile and Marble, We want to thank you again for your patronage, and hope you enjoy your timeless countertops.

 If you should have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call us.

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