Is this the first time you are installing granite countertops in your home? There are plenty of things you need to know about them. Some of these things include:

You need to clean the countertops

For you to prevent stains from forming on the countertops and also to keep the pieces looking great you need to clean the countertops regularly. The good rule of thumb to follow is to clean the pieces at least once a day or after using the countertops.

When you are cleaning the countertops, ensure that you use cleaners that won’t be abrasive to the pieces. Avoid cleaners that contain ammonia. Also, avoid products that contain vinegar, lemon, citric acid, and bleach.

You need to seal granite

Sealing keeps stains and bacteria on the surface of the stone which makes it easy for you to clean it. As you might have guessed, sealing also prevents stains from coming about.

For you to get the best results from sealing granite countertops, you should use a high-quality sealing product. Many people go for the cheapest products. Don’t do this. You should note that the materials you go for are as good as the results that you will get; therefore, ensure that you go for high-quality sealers that will not only be easy to use, but also will last for a long time.

The sealing process is often easy and takes as little as 20 minutes. You should begin the process by washing the counters then buffing them with a microfiber cloth. You should then follow the instructions given on the bottle.

After applying the sealing material, let it sit on the countertops for 10 minutes then buff away the excess using a soft, lint-free cloth. You should note that when you allow the sealer to sit on the countertops for a long time, it tends to harden the stone.

If you make the mistake and allow it to stay for a long time, you should apply more sealer, wait a few minutes for it to emulsify the old sealer, them buff it off.

You should seal the countertops soon after installation then once a year after this.

You can seal the units by yourself but if you don’t have the skills or you don’t like the dirty work, hire a professional to help you out.

You need to get rid of stains

Even with sealing and wiping the countertops immediately after spills, it comes a time when there are stains on the countertops. When stains come about, cleaning the countertops won’t give your countertops a clean look.

For you to get rid of stains you need to use chemicals or poultices. Poultices lift the stains out of the pores of the granite without harming the countertop material. You can make the poultices or buy them from your local store. It’s up to you to make the decision.

When you are buying the poultices, you should note that they are different which means that the one that you will use depends on the type of stain you have and your budget.

The poultices are made from a paste that you can easily spread on the stone. After spreading it, cover the poultice with a plastic wrap and wait for at least on hour then wipe it away. Sometimes you are able to remove the stain in one go but in other cases, you have to apply the poultice a number of times to completely get rid of the stain.

It’s wise that you avoid using chemicals as you can easily end up damaging your countertops. As rule of thumb, only use chemicals when you are absolutely sure that they won’t lead to the destruction of the countertop material.

You can remove most of the stains by yourself, but if you have tried removing them without success, you should go ahead and hire a professional to help you out.

You need to watch what you place on the countertops

While the countertops are tough, it doesn’t mean that they are unbreakable. For you to protect them, granite contractors Raleigh recommend that you avoid placing hot materials on the countertops. You also should avoid placing the units with a lot of force.