Granite countertops have become extremely popular things when it comes to kitchen renovation. Natural stone has recently experienced a considerable increase in its use both in outdoor and indoor settings, and it is not unusual these days to find lovely expanses of polished stone where once sat ceramic tiles or formica surfaces. Maintaining your stone counters and floors is important if you are to enjoy them to the fullest.
Stone, just because of the way it is created and shaped, is an inherently porous material. Even highly polished surfaces which have been liberally coated with a sealant compound are prone to stains and other discoloration. Buffing and resealing them regularly is a good idea if you are keen on getting the longest life out of your stone surfaces.
Here is a common problem: While cooking dinner you have accidentally clipped a large glass of fruit juice with your elbow and now the thick, sticky drink is spreading all over your lovely stone counter. These kinds of things can stain quickly and permanently, so it is important to jump into action right away.
If you just start scrubbing and wiping right away you will most likely be alright. This is not the best way to do things, though. It is highly recommended that you treat the clean up process as a series of steps. Each one will make the next possible, and removing any of these steps will reduce your chances of getting the stain out completely.
First things first. With a dry cloth or sponge, wipe up the spilled juice. Do it quickly and thoroughly because even the best sealed surfaces in the world will experience wear over the years. Just assume that you have managed to dump fruit juice in the exact spot where there is no protection. It’s probably safer that way.
Dunk a fresh cloth in clean, hot water and wash the are where the spill was. It is best to use distilled as the minerals in many municipal water supplies can sometimes be detrimental to the stone’s finish. Don’t let the water sit for very long at all or it may result in discoloration of your surfaces.
Once you have got the spill cleaned up, it might be a good idea to apply a small amount of water and a mild dish soap in order to make sure you have got everything. Buff the granite countertops with a dry cloth afterwards, and everything should be fine.