If after careful consideration, you have chosen a granite countertop, you may be wondering how to properly care for it. You have probably heard that granite is tough to maintain, but actually it is quite easy as long as you remember to do a few things. Like with any countertop, there is a bit of maintenance involved but by following the steps in this guide, you should have no problem keeping your granite countertop looking like new.Your granite countertop will be quite durable, but there are some things that can damage it beyond repair like acid. Even the acid from a lemon slice or tomato can cause irreversible damage to the granite. The first thing you should always do to care for your countertop is to clean up spills immediately. Remember unless it is pure water, any liquid can have acid in it, including soda, juice, and alcohol. You should simply use a damp rag or cloth to get spills cleaned up immediately.

The second tip to care for your granite countertop is to avoid putting a lot of weight on the edges of the counter. Though granite is quite durable, the way the granite countertop is installed makes the edges quite vulnerable meaning they are able to break off with not as much weight or pressure that you would normally think. You shouldn't use granite to stand on or pull yourself up with. The weight of a normal human is enough to break the granite, especially if it has been weakened by other things.Though granite counter tops will be quite heat resistant, if you have small strips of granite, such as inlay or a back splash piece you definitely don't want to put anything hot on or near them. You should always use a heating pad for instance or at least a kitchen towel to insulate the granite from any hot dishes. You should also not use any harsh cleaning chemicals for granite. Remember, some cleaners may have acid, especially any citrus based cleaners. That can ruin your granite which is definitely something you don’t want to happen. Only use water if possible and if you need something a bit stronger, try regular dish soap. Make sure to check the label for acid before applying.

The best thing you can do to care for your granite countertop and to make sure it lasts for many years is to apply sealant to the granite. You should do this at least every year. The sealant will not totally protect your granite from stains, but it can give you some extra time to clean up the offending liquid. If you get a very high quality sealant, you may be able to wait and reapply it every 2 years. Cheaper sealants may need reapplied every 6 months. You can buy sealant yourself at any home improvement store.

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