14

Mar

What to Consider When Replacing Kitchen Countertops

What will you do when it is time to replace the kitchen countertops? In general, you should upgrade when your countertops are not matching the design vision, are too hard to maintain, and/or become irreparable. Solid-surfacing quartz kitchen countertops with deep cracks, scorched marks, and pitted areas are the best for replacing, which are badly stained and broken. Laminate countertops suffer from outdated patterns or colors, water damage, deep knife cuts, or staining that might need replacing as well.

Before you go shopping, you need to do your homework. Find out if the old countertops can be revived or repaired. If you require new countertops, you should shop with the right measurements in hand so you can estimate material costs. Learn more now.

Consider the Existing Material

The high-definition laminate countertops, or materials with a solid surface, screw into place, so changing them is easier, especially if you will replace them for selling. Hard stones will fall prey to pitting or cracks. Therefore, even if it is not the easiest countertop to replace, you might want to do that instead of just repairing it. This is especially true if the countertop is very old and not properly maintained.

The Cabinet Quality

Before you choose the kitchen countertop material, the first thing you need to consider is the quality of your current kitchen cabinets. One thing is that you will need to decide if you want to replace or keep them. If you want to replace the cabinets within the next couple of years, you should replace everything all at once so that you can avoid paying double installation fees.

You should also be sure that your cabinets are able to support the weight of new counters. Other lower-grade cabinets might not have the structural integrity to hold up other countertop materials.

Precise Measurements

Before taking out the tape measure, you need to make a sketch that represents countertop placement in the kitchen. You need to mark off sections of sink countertops, continuous countertops, and peninsula and island countertops to separately measure them. You need to measure the depth and length of each section, then multiply the depth and length to find out the area in inches and write the measurements. Divide the measurements by 144 to determine the square footage of each section. You can add up the square footage numbers so you can get the total square footage of the materials you need. This is going to help you estimate the cost of different materials, which is going to guide you in choosing countertops that can fit your budget.

Backsplash

A new countertop means that you will also need a new backsplash. These two elements go together with one another, and you want to make sure the materials will either match or coordinate.

Normally, the backsplash should be replaced at the same time as your countertop because it is mounted on the top. When you are planning a budget for the countertop replacement, you should not forget to consider the backsplash material cost and installation.

Sink Configuration

You also have to consider the sink configuration when you are ready to replace the countertop. If your sink sits below the countertop level, you might have to replace it when you replace the counters. However, sinks that sit on the counter will normally be replaced or have the plumbing reconfigured before you put in new counters.

The new counter could be taller compared to the previous countertops, which means the sink drain pipe will not reach the bottom.

You can check quartz countertops Rockville anytime when you are ready for new countertops.

22

Feb

How to Pair Countertops with Gray Cabinets

Countertops are an excellent way to upgrade your kitchen and keep a lot of function, but it is better when they pair well with other kitchen design aspects. They are made of different materials and look better compared to others. In case you are battling between at least two countertop options, you should consider pairing them using the cabinets as part of the decision process.

When you go to a quartz countertops dealer, you will notice the advantages of having it installed in your kitchen. The gray and white combination provides an excellent match for dressing up the kitchen to how you like it. You can make things simple by adding more white and gray tones. Read on to learn more.

Match Accent Countertops

Countertops with a white background mix well with almost any color of kitchen cabinets. In addition, combining these colors make the space look larger than it really is. That is why white countertops work well in kitchens that are smaller. However, before you consider a white countertop, it is recommended that you choose a material that works best for your current lifestyle. For instance, if there are young children in your house, quartz might be a better option compared to choosing granite or another solid surface.

Black Countertops and Gray Kitchen Cabinets

On the opposite end of the color spectrum, black countertops are an excellent option when it comes to pairing with gray kitchen cabinets. With white, there are many kinds of countertops that can be bought in black, which include quartz, laminates, and natural stones like granite.

You can choose a black countertop or something with white flecks, metallic elements, or gray. In order to prevent your kitchen from looking very dark, there needs to be enough natural lighting, and flooring and wall coloring in a tone that is contrasting like light-colored or white wood.

Incorporate the Colors

If you want to incorporate color in the kitchen, you can choose gray cabinets that are paired with black countertops. Gray and black are chic colors that give your kitchen a very interesting look.

You can also choose dark brown cabinets and a white countertop. This look can be more rustic for your kitchen. You might want to choose a black countertop with gray cabinets for a whole different look. It is going to cut down how much light that comes into the kitchen, but also creates a modern look.

Monochromatic

In case you like tone-on-tone designs, matching countertop hues to the cabinets gives the kitchen an adaptable and cohesive style. The monochromatic look allows colorful accents to shine which includes décor items, appliances, wall paint, and more. The trick to achieving this look is choosing a color, and it is recommended that your kitchen cabinet door color is darker by one or two shades.

Granite Countertops and Kitchen Cabinets

Granite countertops already reigned as among the most popular choices. With superior durability and color variety, it is difficult to find a versatile countertop option. Regardless of your kitchen style, you will easily find granite that blends in well, even with gray kitchen cabinets.

You can combine gray and white, which is a granite option when you want to pair it with gray cabinets. Granite countertops in blue, black, brown, or even green shades can be an excellent match. You can combine it with the metallic accent you prefer for a look that is more cohesive and easy on the eyes. This way, you can work better in your kitchen.

Contact quartz countertop contractors Potomac anytime you want to change your kitchen countertops.

21

Nov

Helpful Things About Granite Countertops

You have probably walked on granite, cooked on it, and everything else. Granite is a strong igneous rock that easily adapts to a couple of applications – regardless if it is used in its purest form or in the kitchen. Even if you are already familiar with the benefits and features related to its different forms, you are less in the know if you understand where the tough substance is coming from.

If you are looking into having granite countertops installed, you will find this post useful because it is worth knowing the kind of material it is. Aside from being worth it, granite is one of the most popular rocks used in kitchen surfaces today. Read on to know more:

Granite is Radioactive

In this case, there are other kinds of natural materials, and granite has traces of uranium. But other natural substances, like granite bodies, can have up to 20 times the normal size of uranium.

Before you think twice about using granite, you should know that the uranium emitted by granite is less than the soil you use. Therefore, it is safe to use it in your home so you have nothing to worry about.

Famous Buildings Use Granite

Granite is used in constructing famous buildings in the world. During the time of ancient Egypt, they were already using natural stone to build. The buildings that were made of granite include the Statue of Liberty and also Mount Rushmore.

There are a lot of examples of natural granite – from China to Brazil and a lot of other countries; granite queries are in the USA and all over the world.

The Rarest Granite Colors are Blue and Red

The assortment of different rocks and minerals gives each slab a unique color. The color difference in each slab is related to the quantities of specific minerals in every batch. For instance, if there is more quartz in the composition, the milkier it will appear.

By having this in mind, granite slabs with a blue or red hue through them are considered the rarest kind of granite experts, which reflects the cost of granite worktops being sold on the market.

Granite can Easily Handle Heat

Similar to how you can cut on the surface, you can also place pots and hot pots on a granite countertop without having to worry about damage. However, like the cutting board, a hot pad and tripod should be used as precautions. Among the most heat-resistant countertop materials available is granite. This natural stone requires high temperatures and high pressure for it to form. You can also place pans right from the stove or oven on a granite countertop, and you will not see any stains or marks on the surface.

Granite Can Damage Knives

The biggest reason you should use a cutting pad when you prepare food on granite is to prevent knife damage.

Caring for Granite is Easy

Granite is not a complicated natural stone to care for. The proper maintenance you have to worry about is to re-seal and clean it, and both of them are elementary processes. You should remember to use cleaners that are suitable for natural stone and granite. With most kinds of granite, you only have to re-seal once a year.

Granite is Preset in the World’s Tallest Cliffs

Granite has formed in the Great Tango Tower and it forms the tallest mountain in the world which is Mount Kanchenjunga located behind Everest.

You can call granite installers Potomac anytime if you want to improve your kitchen countertop and add value to your home.

31

Mar

Water On Granite Countertops: Can You Leave Water On Granite Countertops?

If you are asking, can you leave water on granite countertops? Yes, you can, but it comes with repercussions.

If your countertops are properly sealed, you can get away with having water on the surfaces for some time, as the countertops won’t absorb water, but when you leave the water on the surfaces for a long time, there is the risk of it getting to the deeper layers of the countertops and staining them.

The situation is worse when you have hard water on your premises as the hard water leaves a white, filmy residue that is hard to remove.

What should you do about water stains?

To restore your countertops, you need to remove the water stains. How you go about it depends on the type of stains you have. To help you out, here are ways to remove these stains:

Removing light stains on a daily basis

You need to use a mild detergent and water on a sponge to remove these stains. If you have the budget, use a commercial cleaning product designed specially for granite cleaning.

When buying the commercial cleaner, ensure that it’s suitable for granite and it’s not acidic, as this can damage the sealant and stone.

Buying the best sealer is one thing and an entire animal using it. To be on the safe side and get perfect results, use the product as per the directions given by the manufacturer.

To have an easy time, clean the stains as soon as you notice them, which means less work on your part.

Light hard water stains

Have you noticed light spots around your sink or basin? These are light hard water stains, and you should move with haste and remove them. For the best outcome, remove them using a mild detergent and brush them with soft bristles. You can also use a toothbrush.

To lift the mineral deposits, put a cleanser on the stain, then gently scrub it with a brush. Once you are done, rinse it off with clean water and dry it with a towel.

You can also use a designated cleaning agent and let it sit on the stain for about 30 minutes to loosen the minerals. After this, scrub the surfaces gently with a soft brush and rinse it dry once the stain is gone.

Slightly stubborn hard water stains.

If the detergent and brush aren’t removing the water stains, use a home remedy such as baking soda. Start with creating a paste by mixing baking soda with a small amount of water until you form a paste. You should then apply the paste to the hard water stain then gently scrub it with a soft bristle brush, then once you are done, rinse the fresh water and dry with a towel.

Removing water rings around the base of your faucet

If you have got hard water running through your system, you will sometimes have water rings around the base. These rings are often hard to remove, so you need to use tough removal products, often plastic scraper or razor blade.

To remove the water ring using a plastic putty knife, ensure that the edge is flat against your granite surface. You should then remove the mineral deposits by pushing the blade against them by applying gentle pressure.

If doing it correctly, the buildup should start flaking off, and you should wipe it off with a sponge, rinse it with clean water, and dry it with a towel.

If you try using the putty knife, but it doesn’t remove the deposits, use a sharp, clean razor blade. Keep the razor blade level with the granite surface, then slowly and gently loosen the mineral deposits.

Of course, take care not to cut your fingers or the granite surface as you are doing the cleaning.

There you have it

You can leave water on your countertops, but it will come with repercussions. To prevent the stains from resulting, move with haste and remove the water as soon as you notice it.

To reduce the absorption rate of the countertops, work with your granite contractor Rockville and install a high-quality sealant on the surface of the stone.

21

Mar

How to Choose the Right Granite Kitchen Countertop

Granite countertops have a huge impact on your home’s value, which is why it is important to choose the right material for you and for any future buyer in case you sell your home. Many people love granite for their kitchen countertop, making it a safe option.

The issue is that granite has a huge range of patterns and colors. There are neutral colors like black, white, and brown to even exotic and bold ones like greens, reds, and blues. You might have a hard time choosing the right granite slab because it is a big investment. In this article, there are tips here you can use so that you will not have a hard time.

Gather the Materials You Need

A great selection of countertops calls for attention to detail. Buying a slab and wanting the best results is a big risk. When it comes to choosing granite, you should take color samples of the finish, flooring, wall paint, and kitchen appliances. In case there are no samples available, take a picture of them. You need to place the samples around or on the granite so you can have an idea of what the decoration is. Dark cabinetry made of cherry wood and black granite can be overpowering.

Choose a Theme

Most of the time, designers choose an element as a foundation for a color scheme. When you are choosing granite, there are 2 options for you. Choose the main granite color that matches the kitchen’s dominant color, which is normally the cabinets, or opt for a more subtle approach by looking for matching streaks or veins. For instance, if your cabinets are white, you can go for a granite background or white veins.

Visit Showrooms

Online shopping for granite is convenient, but it should not be a replacement for seeing it on your own. It is hard to photograph the color patterns and the small differences in textures and shades are not accurately seen. When you shop in-store, there are still some challenges when it comes to color selection. Slabs with the same color and category usually vary greatly. After choosing your preferred color, like brown, black, blue, yellow, or green, you should ask to see the samples in the color subset.

Choose Light or Dark

In other cases, the granite you choose might be more influenced by its effect on the kitchen instead of the color scheme. If it will be for a small kitchen, you might want to choose a light color, like gray or beige. That can also be for bathrooms. The only thing to be concerned about is that a light stone granite countertop will show stains more. In general, granite is resistant to stain, so that is a good point to consider. You can use dark granite to add a little drama to your kitchen, especially if you have a large kitchen. It might not be good for a small kitchen or if there is no natural light coming in.

Make Sure it Blends with the House

When you are choosing the granite countertop color, it can help to consider other parts of the house. This is also true when the kitchen has an open sight of the other rooms. Having color consistency in your home keeps it cohesive. So, your home is going to feel like a living space instead of only individual rooms that are connected by doors. You should think about bringing a color shade from a different room to harmonize them together.

You can contact granite contractor Potomac if you want your countertop done right.

 

07

Mar

Benefits of Hiring a Professional Kitchen Designer

These days, there is an abundance of interior design blogs that make it seem like anyone can just start finishing their remodeling project.

If you are an ambitious homeowner, you can look for a professional designer and hire a good granite contractor who can install the countertop you prefer. You cannot just do it all on your own if you are not an expert. You will see that hiring a professional has a different effect on your kitchen, and it is not a small project you can just take on.

You might have to pay quite a bit for an expert, but the benefits are all worth it. You can find out what they are right here.

They Follow the Right Coding and Licensing

When you want to do a major redesign of your kitchen, you have to make sure that you are not violating coding and regulations where you live. These guidelines about construction projects should be met, and they must be followed. If you call a hire licensed expert kitchen contractor, you can just find out that they will follow all the required regulations.

Knowledgeable About the Budget

Kitchen renovations cost a lot, which is why you want to be sure about spending your money properly. A designer helps you stay within your budget, and they can source better materials as well. Most of the time, they know where the better deals are, so you will get more for your budget. The connections and knowledge they have to help you achieve the kitchen you want but within the range of your budget.

You are Getting Good Materials

Your designer is helpful in making sure that you will get the best materials for your investment, which helps you sort out your goals and ideas to come up with a great plan. At the same time, they will sometimes ask you to fill out a questionnaire and from here, they can understand what the most important thing is to you. At the same time, your designer guides you through all the options and gives recommendations in a couple of meetings, and prioritizes all of them for yourself – this makes it less stressful. You can always splurge, but knowing that you can lower the costs is excellent.

Eligibility of Your Warranty

Kitchen renovations will not be only about replacing the backsplash or repairing the old cabinet doors. You have to make important decisions about the design, styles, layout, materials, as well as electrical and plumbing systems. Kitchen designers consider and make sure that every appliance, furnishing, or attachment is going to suit your needs.

A kitchen remodeling expert can give you professional advice and a different perspective that you will not find anywhere else. They know what goes well together and what the best layout is for your home.

It Takes Less Time

The remodeling process of your kitchen will most likely last twice because you are not getting any expert opinion. Professional kitchen designers will coordinate a schedule with you, know the right plumber for you, and even figure out how long the flooring cures itself before you can install cabinets. The process ends up taking a lot longer, more confusing, and it might not go as planned if you think you can do the designing on your own.

Professional Commitment

Kitchen planning is a non-stop process and the initial design goes through a couple of changes before the final output. The designer will look closely through all the aspects and will continue to do so until the project is finished.

These are the benefits you will get from hiring a kitchen designer, and looking for the best granite companies Rockville.

17

Jan

Do You Need Trivets On Granite?

If you are asking, do you need trivets on granite, you must have installed granite countertops in your kitchen, and you are wondering whether you should protect them using a trivet, right?

You place trivets between the countertop and the hot pan to protect the surfaces from getting burned. And yes, you need trivets on granite.

The cool thing is that trivets do more than protect the counters from burn marks—they also protect you from having broken baking dishes or a cracked countertop due to thermal shock.

Overall, having a trivet in place reduces the chances of damaging your valuable items, so it’s wise always to have them in place.

But aren’t granite countertops heat resistant?

Yes, granite countertops are heat resistant, and this is one of the primary reasons they are heavily used in the kitchen, but they aren’t heatproof.

This means that while you might not experience any damage on the countertops when you place hot pans on them for the first few times, when you repeatedly do it, you risk causing permanent damage to the surfaces.

What are other granite best practices?

Besides having a trivet or hot pad on your countertops to protect them from damage, there are plenty of other best practices that ensure your countertops retain their good looks for a long time. Some of these best practices include:

Clean the countertops regularly

There is no way your countertops will look good if you don’t clean them regularly, is there? Make it a habit to clean your surfaces at least once every day.

The cool thing is that cleaning the countertops is easy as all you need is soap and water. Spray some soapy water on your countertops, then wipe it with a clean piece of cloth, and you are good to go.

Regardless of how dirty your countertops are, don’t clean them with ammonia, bleach, degreasers, glass cleaner, and other abrasive products as they reduce the effectiveness of the granite sealer, leaving your countertops vulnerable to stains. To avoid damage and keep your countertops looking good for a long time, stick to cleaning them with soap and water.

When choosing the soap type, avoid dish soap as its repeated use causes a soapy build-up that dulls the shine of your surfaces, leaving them ugly and uninviting. For the best outcome, use soap designed to clean granite surfaces.

Seal the countertops regularly

As much as they are tough, granite counters are porous. This means they have pores on them that increase their chances of staining should spills happen. You should seal the countertops with countertop sealing products to seal these pores.

There are plenty of products in the market, but not all are right for your countertops. Research and find one designed for your countertops.

You should do the sealing at the time of installation then once a year thereafter. You can do the sealing work yourself or hire a professional to help you out.

For the best outcome, it’s always wise to have a professional do it.

Clean spills as soon as they happen

As you are preparing the meals, accidents are bound to happen. For example, coffee, soda, citrus juice, tomato sauce, or even water will spill on your surfaces. Even if you have sealed the countertops, the liquids can find their way under your countertops and cause hard-to-remove stains, when you allow them to stand there for a long time.

To avoid this, make it a habit to clean spills from your countertops as soon as they happen.

Use cutting boards

When you are chopping meat, fruits, or vegetables, it’s tempting to want to chop directly on your countertops due to how tough they look, but don’t. This is because you will scratch the countertops, which gives the surfaces a cheap, dull look.

To keep your countertops scratch-free, always use a chopping/cutting board to protect both your countertops and knives.

Granite installers Rockville also recommend you keep off hard objects such as rings and bottles as they can scratch or even dent the countertops, and you don’t want this, do you?

 Yes, you need trivets on your countertops.

To keep your countertops in pristine shape, you need trivets. There are no right or wrong trivets. As long as the units provide you with the protection you need, you are good to go.

07

Jan

How Do You Make Granite Countertops Look Good?

Granite countertops look magnificent in any home, and this is one of the primary reasons many homeowners go for them. If you have had your countertops for a long time and they have started losing their original exquisite look, you must be wondering, how do you make granite countertops look good, right?

Well, there are plenty of ways you can do it. Some of these ways include:

Shine the countertops

When you installed the countertops for the first time, you must have noticed an inviting natural shine. The shine is largely due to the high quartz content in granite.

While the shine is inviting when new, over time, it fades off, giving your countertops an old, cheap look.

To make your countertops look good, you need to maintain this shine. Besides cleaning the countertops regularly, you also should regularly polish the surfaces.

Thankfully, there are plenty of polishing products in the market you can use. All you need to do is find those that match your countertops and give your surfaces a perfect look you are looking for.

When polishing the countertops, take care not to use rough cleaning tools that scratch the surface. As a rule of thumb, use a soft cloth, precisely a microfiber cloth, that won’t cause any harm to the surface.

Use the same soft cloth to buff the surfaces and buff in a circular motion to don’t cause any harm and reach the entire surface.

Other ways to keep your granite looking good

Besides polishing the countertops, there are many other ways to keep your granite looking good. Some of these other ways include:

Take good care of the countertops

Like your car, clothes, appliances, or any other thing, if you want your countertops to look good, you have to take good care of them.

The beauty is there are plenty of ways to take care of them. Some of these ways include:

Clean spills immediately: As soon as spills happen, you should clean them to avoid hard-to-remove stains from forming.

Use coasters: Coasters come in handy at preventing the hot pots placed on the countertops from coming into direct contact with the countertops. As a rule of thumb, use high-quality coasters that will provide the countertops with maximum protection and last for a long time.

Use cutting boards: The same way you should use coasters and hot pads is the same way you should use cutting boards when cutting meat, vegetables, and other food items. As a rule of thumb, never cut directly on granite surfaces.

Don’t sit on the countertops: It’s normal for most homeowners to sit on the countertops as they wait for food to cook. Others will come to the kitchen and sit there as they chat. This is wrong.

To avoid cracking your countertops, avoid sitting on them, especially on the edges. You also should avoid standing on them to reach the top shelves or replace a burnt bulb.

Clean the countertops regularly

As mentioned above, cleaning the countertops goes a long way towards keeping them looking good. When doing the cleaning, use the right cleaning products.

In most cases, water and soap are enough to keep the surfaces in top shape, but you can use commercial cleaning products when looking for that extra shine. When buying the cleaner, use one specifically designed for granite surfaces.

Never use ammonia, citrus, or vinegar to clean the surfaces as they are highly acidic cleaners, and using them will dull the surfaces.

The right way to clean the countertops is to spray or mist the cleaner across the entire surface, then let it sit for a minute, after which you wipe it with a soft microfiber cloth until it’s dry.

Seal the countertop

The final thing you should do is seal the countertops to lock out any materials that might try to find their way into the countertops. You can seal the countertops or hire granite countertop installers Rockville to help.

When sealing the surfaces, work in small sections to don’t spray the same area more than once. After applying the sealant, wipe the surfaces with a soft cotton cloth until completely dry.

20

Dec

Can You Paint Granite Countertops?

If your countertops are old or you don’t like their current look, instead of removing them, one of the ways to improve their look is to paint them. So to answer your question, can you paint granite countertops? Yes, you can do it.

To get the most from painting your countertops, you need to do several things that include:

Properly prepare the surface

There is no way the paint will properly adhere to the surface if you don’t properly prepare it. For the paint to adhere properly, you need to rough up the surface by sanding it. The surface also needs to be clean, so after sanding the area, you should clean it so no dust or dirt particles might make their way into the paint, primer, or sealer during the project.

Apply the right primer

For the paint to adhere well without chipping or rubbing off, you should apply the right primer. If this is the first time doing it, take your time to find the right primer for your surfaces. You can apply the primer by yourself, but let it be done by an experienced professional who knows what they are doing for the best outcome.

Choose the right color scheme and paint.

There is no way your countertops will look good if you choose the wrong color scheme or use the wrong paint, so you should be cautious when making your choice.

As a rule of thumb, choose a paint color that goes along with the rest of the house. For example, if you are going for the marble look or any other color palette, choose multiple colors to complete the design.

If you have a small room, go for lighter colors to give the impression of space. And if you are one of the lucky people and have a large room, there is no harm in going for darker colors that will absorb light and make the room look and feel smaller and cozy.

If you aren’t sure about the right color or color combinations to go with, get the input of a professional.

When it comes to the type of paint, you should go for epoxy, latex, or acrylic that is known to be durable.

The best paint type to choose is acrylic latex paint that holds up well against heat and water, so you are sure that it will last for a long time when you apply it.

Don’t rush

When many homeowners decide to paint their countertops, they rush to find granite colors, and paints. While this is good as it gets you into doing rather than pondering, it often results in more mistakes.

To avoid mistakes, take your time and fully understand what you need before beginning your project. It’s always wise to consult a professional so that you understand your project better and find out whether you can handle it by yourself or you have to hire an expert.

For the best outcome, be patient throughout the countertop painting process. Carefully sand the surfaces, patiently prime them, paint them with precision, and you will have the surfaces of your dreams.

Seal the surfaces

After painting the surfaces and giving them enough time to dry, the next thing you should do is seal them. The purpose of sealing the countertops is to lock in the paint and protect the beautiful work underneath.

Like the paint and other materials, you used before, ensure that you use a high-quality primer that will last for a long time and give your surfaces the top-notch protection they deserve.

While there are many sealers you can apply, the best to go for is the masonry sealer that works the best on granite and other natural stones.

You can apply the sealer yourself or ask a granite contractor Rockville to help out. When making the application, you can use a roller or paintbrush.

Once you are done with sealing, give the countertops at least 24 hours to completely dry before placing items on them.

29

Nov

What to Do With Granite Countertops

When buying granite for the first time, all you hear is what you shouldn’t do to it. For example, you are told that you shouldn’t sit on it, you shouldn’t place hot items on it, you shouldn’t wash it with harsh products, and so on.

If you are a granite fan, you must be wondering what you can do with it, right? Well, here is what to do with granite countertops:

Clean them with soap and a rag

Soap and rag are all you need to leave your countertops spotless. To clean the surfaces, wet a rag and apply a bit of soap to the countertop or your rug. You should then wipe the entire surface once to clean it.

To avoid spreading food, grease, and dirt, wring the rag with fresh water and once you are done, rinse the rag and wipe it down the counter with fresh water to remove any soap residues.

Follow it with drying the countertop with a microfiber cloth.

If the soap isn’t getting your countertops clean enough or you want to get better results, use a special countertop cleaner.

You can also make your special granite cleaner. To make the cleaner, you need to mix 50/50 rubbing alcohol with water, then add 20 drops of your favorite essential oils. This mixture will not only clean the countertops, but also disinfect them.

Remove granite stains

The other thing you can do is remove granite stains. Regular daily cleaning is enough to leave your countertops spotless, but sometimes you spill something, and you don’t remove it on time. In such a case, you have to think about removing the stains without damaging the natural stone.

One of the ways to do it is to apply baking soda paste. Regardless of the nature of the stain, the chances are high that baking soda will remove it. To get rid of an oil-based stain, make a baking soda paste with water and if you are dealing with a water-based stain, mix the baking soda with hydrogen peroxide.

Apply the paste over the stained areas, gently scrub the counter with a soft cloth and rinse it thoroughly. If the stain doesn’t come off the first time, repeat it.

If you repeatedly scrub the surface and the stain doesn’t come off, cover the area with plastic wrap and tape the edges down. Leave the homemade stain remover in place overnight or after a few days, then rinse and wipe the granite with a soft cloth and this will hopefully reveal the stain-free surface.

Seal the countertops

Most granite countertops come with a seal coat, but this isn’t enough—you need to add an extra layer to keep your countertops in top shape. You can do the sealing by yourself if you have the skills, but let an expert do the work for the best outcome.

You have two options with sealants—water and solvent-based sealants. Water-based sealants are environmentally friendly, while solvent-based sealants go deeper into the soil.

Regardless of what you settle on, when making the purchase, be on the lookout for the active ingredient “fluorocarbon aliphatic resin.” This product provides over 10 years of protection and repels oil from your surfaces, so you don’t have to worry about oils on your surfaces.

Begin with cleaning the countertops to remove dirt, dust, and other materials that might be present. One of the best ways to clean is to mix one teaspoon of dishwashing detergent and two tablespoons of isopropyl alcohol in a pint spray bottle and fill it with cool water.

You should then generously apply it on the countertops and wipe it clean with polishing using a microfiber cloth. Give the countertops 24 hours to completely dry out before applying the sealer.

Proceed and apply your desired sealer. To prevent the sealer from coming off, it’s recommended you leave it at least 24 hours before using the countertops.

Parting shot

These are some of the things you can do with your granite counters. If you can’t do something to your counters, let granite companies Rockville or any other professionals help you out—you don’t want to do something you can’t, and you ruin your precious surfaces, do you?