Granite, quartz, and marble kitchen countertops transform the ambiance of the entire room. While they look beautiful, they also raise the resale potential of your home. Keep your surfaces immaculate by caring for them properly. The tips below will allow you to enjoy your new counters for decades to come. 

Strategies for Maintaining Kitchen Countertops 

1. Use Gentle Cleaners 

Acidic cleaners promise to cut grime and make your counters shiny. However, abrasive chemicals will remove the protective seals intended to make your surfaces last as long as possible. Contact your counter manufacturer or visit your home improvement store to find sprays specially designed for stone. Mild products will clean effectively, while still preserving coatings. 

2. Avoid Abrasive Cloths 

While you can use steel wool or scrubbing pads for some home surfaces, they are not recommended for quartz and granite. Purchase microfiber cloths to wipe spills, remove dust, and wash away bacteria and food particles. Soft sponges are also appropriate. 

3. Prevent Scratches 

Many of the most durable countertops are scratch-resistant. However, they are not scratch-proof. Don’t carve food on the counter. Instead, use cutting boards to chop vegetables and slice through meat, and put knives on cloths or pads instead of placing them directly on your kitchen surface. Don’t slide pots, pans, and plates; instead, pick them up and set them down gently to prevent scrapes and blemishes. 

4. Clean Up Quickly 

Wet containers, food items, and spills can seep into granite countertops. To avoid permanent stains, attend to splashes and dribbles as fast as possible. Place sauce bottles in the refrigerator or cabinet instead of storing them on the kitchen surface, and put coasters underneath any beverages. 

5. Seal When Necessary 

Reputable countertop installation professionals will apply a sealer when they are done. However, you will still need to reseal them after a period of time. Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions or owners manual to know how often you should reapply sealer. 

Make the most of your custom countertop investment. Just a few minutes of maintenance on a regular basis will preserve them for many years. If you are interested in new countertop installation, Rino’s Tile & Stone in Anchorage, AK, can help you find the right material for your family’s needs. To discuss your options for beautiful and durable kitchen countertops, call their team of professionals at (907) 743-1075. For more information about renovations and material choices, visit their website.