Granite Worktops - Cleaning Tips

Granite is considered one of the oldest and one of the most durable building materials. Granite is an igneous rock which is formed as a result of the slow crystallization of molten magma deep inside the earth’s crust. It outcropped at the earth’s surface because of uplift and erosion for millions of years. Granite is generally made up of quartz, felspars and other mafic ninerals.

It is a well known fact that Granite Worktops don’t come cheap and most of the people believe that being expensive actually adds to its charisma. It should however be understood that the high cost of granite worktops is mostly because of the cost that goes into cutting the granite to templates for unique individual requirements. You would find that most of the standard kitchens do have Granite Worktops. It may be in the form of Kitchen Island, Breakfast Bar or pieces of freestanding furniture. The addition of Granite Worktops adds beauty as well as elegance to your furnishing that would remain with you for a life-time. In most of the cases worktops prove to be the most worked out part of your furnishing, that’s why the use of granite is an intelligent decision because of its durability and almost no maintenance nature.

You would find that granite worktops are waterproof, stain resistant and in most of the cases, it is very difficult to get scratched. The best thing about a Granite Worktops is its durability. You would find that its diamond-polished looks do not fade even after years. If it is used in kitchen it has no risk of being damaged by day to day activities like spilling. You just have to take a damp cloth and mop it up to clean it.

Granite Worktops look so beautiful because of the availability of Granite Worktops in a varied number of colors. Whatever décor you may have, you will find its large number of color and texture blending well with it. One of its qualities is its versatility. It can be cut off into any shape of our choice.

There are a few simple guidelines and precautions that must be followed to ensure that your Granite Worktops don’t get damaged and retain their luster for a longer period.

1. Care should be taken to avoid contact with the edges of the surface. It may result into chipping of the edges which would reduce the beauty of the worktops
2. Precautions should be taken that nothing is cut directly on your Granite Worktops. It may result in scratches.
3. Your Granite Worktop is not something which should be physically rough handled. Rough handling must be avoided at any cost.
4. Exposure to excessive heat adversely affects the polish of the Granite Worktops. Thus, the worktops must be kept away from excessive heat.
5. When Granite Worktops are installed, it is done with a lot of planning and care. Removing your Granite Worktops from the original place of installation must always be avoided.
6. Granite Worktops must never be kept in contact with any alkaline or acidic substance like sulphuric acid, nitric acid etc.
7. Never use abrasive materials to rub Granite Worktops for the removal of stain. Instead, clean it with warm clean water with a non-abrasive light neutral detergent.
8. There are specific directions for removal of stain from a Granite Worktop. Generally stains of an organic nature (wine, coffee, nicotine, fruit juices) can be easily removed with the help of a general water based stain remover. On the other hand, dirt of an organic and greasy nature (grease, pollution, wave coating etc.) can be removed with the help of an alkaline degreaser.

So, if you have a granite worktop, you are surely in the possession of an expensive as well as beautiful thing. Try to take proper care of it for a long lasting look.