Three Tips for Maintaining Your Stone Countertops
During the holiday season, more families are gathering in the kitchen to cook, bake, and spend quality time together. When hosting, your kitchen countertop becomes a hot spot for prepared food, decorations, and more.
All the additional activity during this time can add extra wear and tear to your granite and quartz countertops without you realizing it. Investing a little bit of time in caring for your stone can help it look beautiful for years to come.
In this blog, we've compiled three easy, effective ways to help you maintain your stone countertops year-round.
Seal your countertops every one to three years
All porous stone countertops need to be sealed to maintain their integrity. If your countertop is fabricated from a granite slab, tiny holes found in the natural stone make it easier for liquids, food, dirt, and more to be absorbed into the stone. Sealing your countertops adds a layer of protection to prevent staining, water absorption, and bacterial growth.
Granite surfaces are typically sealed during the fabrication process and require resealing every 1 to 2 years, depending on the stone and your usage. If you add a small drop of water to your countertop and notice it soaking into the stone within 15 to 30 minutes, it's time to reseal your countertops. It's a straightforward process that can easily be done at home.
Regular sealing helps preserve your stone so it lasts for years to come.
Use the right cleaning products
Not all surface cleaners are created equal, so it's crucial to check your products before committing. Whatever you do, don't use any acidic cleaning solutions, and avoid abrasive brushes and sponges. Acidic products can etch the stone, leaving behind small, dull marks or lighter spots that affect the overall appearance of your countertop.
Some safe alternatives include pH-neutral stone cleaners, natural cleaning solutions, mild dish soap, microfiber towels, and non-abrasive sponges. When in doubt, always ask Andco Kitchens and Baths what cleaning products we recommend for your specific stone.
When you're cleaning, be sure to wipe up spills quickly so they don't sit and soak into the material, especially if it's red wine, tomato sauce, or oil. Staying on top of messes and using the right products can help protect your investment.
Avoid excessive heat and sharp or heavy objects
Not all countertops are heat- or scratch-resistant, so avoiding hot pans and sharp objects can help prevent permanent damage. Placing hot cookware, bakeware, or hot beauty tools on the counter can cause thermal shock, leading to chips and cracks. While granite is typically heat-resistant, there is still a risk of damage to the stone or sealant if hot pads, trivets, and mats are not used. Exposing quartz to high heat can also cause discoloration, cracks, or chips.
Although granite and quartz are durable, using sharp objects can cause scratches and visible marks on your countertop. Always use cutting boards instead of preparing food directly on your stone. Additionally, dragging something heavy across your countertop can scratch up the surface and leave dull spots over time.
Taking care of your stone countertops now ensures that they're ready for all the upcoming festivities you have planned throughout the year.
Visit Andco Kitchens & Baths to find the right countertops for your space!
If you’re in the market for new countertops, visit Andco Kitchens and Baths. We have proudly served the Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin communities for over 95 years, providing high-quality products for a complete bathroom or kitchen renovation.
Our showroom features a wide selection of granite and quartz countertops, custom cabinetry, sinks, faucets, and more—making it easy to find the perfect pieces to match your style and budget.
Our design team is available to help you get started on your next kitchen renovation. With three convenient locations in northern Illinois, we make the home renovation process easy. So, visit our showroom today at 540 S. Perryville Rd. in Rockford, Illinois, 835 S. Lake St. in Aurora, IL, or 40W134 Campton Crossing Dr., Suite A, in Campton Hills, IL.