How to Remove Stains From Granite Countertops?
Whether you are designing a new kitchen or remodeling an old one, choosing the right kitchen countertops is probably the biggest decision of all. Countertops are the most important part of your kitchen. They are the main workstations that bear the brunt of all your cooking and preparation. You don’t want your countertops to be easily stained, scratched, chipped, or cracked. You also want them to look pretty and unique as they are often the highlights of any kitchen. Hence, it is very important to choose the right material for your countertops. While there is no dearth of beautiful countertop materials in the market, natural stones like granite and marble are quite popular. Granite countertops bring a unique look and natural warmth to the decor. Plus, they are durable and can indeed last a lifetime with proper care and upkeep!
Care and Maintenance
Granite Countertops are heat-resistant, making them ideal for use near a cooktop or stove. With granite countertops, you need not worry about setting a hot pan on the counter. However, that doesn’t mean you can avoid their proper upkeep. Granite is a porous material which can absorb liquids and stain easily.
You need to seal the countertops with a chemical sealant to prevent stains from liquids and dyed food. Whenever you spill something on the counter, wipe it immediately with a wet cloth to avoid stains.
Granite is quite hardy and doesn’t get scratched, chipped, or cracked easily. However, even if it does, repairing the stone is quite easy. Reliable suppliers like the Granite Brothers in Worcester, Ma also offer you repair maintenance and usage tips for the proper care of their countertops.
Removing Stains
While granite countertops might be highly resilient, they do need regular maintenance. You need to reseal the countertops every 1 or 2 years to keep them non-porous and stain-free. But even with a sealant, heavily dyed foods might stain the countertops. And if left untreated for a long time, the stains might permeate the stone. However, you can easily remove the stains with mild cleaners. Here are some tried and tested methods to remove stains from granite counters.
Mild Chemical Cleaners
Strong acidic cleaners do not go well with granite. They often leave stains or weaken the stone. Hence, you should only use mild cleaners to clean granite counters. Don’t worry, these work just fine with normal stains and are also quite easily available.
Baking Soda Paste
Another well-known method to remove stains from granite is a baking soda paste. Baking soda is a very effective cleansing agent easily available in the market. Mix it with water to form a paste-like consistency. Apply this paste on the stained area and cover it with a plastic wrap. You can scrape it off after it is completely dry. The soda absorbs the stain from the stone easily.
Other Poultices
For persistent stains, you might have to prepare a poultice or buy one of the many options available in the market. Generally, these poultices are made with hydrogen peroxide, acetone, liquid soap, or laundry bleach added to an absorbent material like flour, chalk, or dry clay to form a paste.
It’s true that granite countertops look absolutely chic and elegant regardless of your interior style. With their easy maintenance and repair, high durability, and wide variety in style and colors, it’s no wonder granite countertops are so popular!
