You’ve set your sights on creating a kitchen that even Wolfgang Puck would be honored to create his world renowned dishes in. You want a four-star kitchen and nothing will stand in your way, even if it means shopping less and cutting back on your monthly expenses.
You’ve chosen all your stainless steel appliances, a jaw-dropping island, cabinets crafted with precision and granite countertops that gleam. While you’d almost rather admire your kitchen from afar then risk damaging anything by actually using the stuff you’ve selected, there are ways to make sure that your kitchen stays in top shape.
As owner of the residential remodeling company Sebring Services, Bryan Sebring knows a lot about keeping your remodel looking like new, long after his team has packed up and left. He also understands the reservations people have about purchasing big ticket items, like granite countertops, in areas of the home where they can be easily damaged. But, granite is a stunning and resilient material that will last a long time, he says. By following his suggestions, you can ensure that your counters will maintain their original look for years to come.
To clean your granite, Sebring suggests using products designed specifically for stone. Cleaners and disinfectants of this type are neutral on the acid scale, so they pose no risk to the polish. Soap and water as well as window cleaners also work to clean spills without damaging the stone. What you want to avoid, he warns, are cleaners that contain bleach or anything with abrasive particles. And, if you notice that after cleaning your granite it looks a little darker, there is no need to be alarmed. It will return to its natural color once the water evaporates.
One of the most important things to remember when it comes to preserving granite is that it is a naturally porous material. This means, explains Sebring, that it can be penetrated by grease, oil and water. To protect your counters, you must seal them every year with a nontoxic sealer meant to ward off stains. To properly seal your countertops, all you have to do is apply the solution, which is available in most home improvement stores, with a soft cloth and then let it soak into the stone for 15 minutes. Then, wipe away any excess and resume your normal use of the kitchen.
Sebring also recommends that you clean any spills on the countertops immediately and avoid leaving unwrapped food on the granite for too long. While under normal circumstances oils would not be able to break through the sealant, if liquid is left to penetrate for days at a time, it can leave a permanent stain.
A major point of granite countertops, besides beauty, is durability. Unless you are intentionally chopping away at the stone with a butcher’s knife, cutting on granite will not result in scratches or nicks. Actually, says Sebring, the real damage will be to your knives, which will become dulled if you cut directly on the counter. The only thing that could leave marks in your granite is diamonds, he says. So take off any diamond rings before you begin cooking to avoid mishaps.
Overall, says Sebring, granite countertops are some of the easiest types to maintain, and it doesn’t hurt that they look great, too. So be proud of your choice to splurge a little. Pull up a stool and relax at your luxurious island in the center of your kitchen, and wait for magazine editors to come knocking at your door, begging to photograph your renovated home.
