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maintaining countertops

Nov 15 2021

3 Natural DIY Ways to Clean Marble Countertops

If you’ve chosen a natural stone like marble or granite for your countertops, you likely love them, so you will want to protect your investment by caring for them correctly. Although correct sealant application will protect your countertops, using harsh cleaners can reduce their effectiveness over time.

DIY cleaning of your marble or granite countertops can be very simple when armed with a few tricks of the trade and made quite earth-friendly (and inexpensive) with a few common ingredients and tools you probably already have around the house.

Here are some guidelines from our team at GranitePro. Call 410.875.7579 to ask one of our experts if you have questions about DIY cleaning or maintenance.

Materials

The porous nature of natural stone lends to a beautiful final product, but it does require the occasional use of some gentle cleaning materials. These will include:

  • Baking soda (flour can be used as a substitute if needed)
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • Gentle, unscented liquid dish soap
  • Isopropyl alcohol (70%, or diluted from 99% to 70% with clean water)

Other helpful tools to have on-hand include:

  • Refillable spray bottle
  • Plastic cling wrap
  • Scotch tape
  • Bowl and spoon or spatula
  • Microfiber towels, or old, clean cotton t-shirts

3 Marble Countertop Cleaning Tips for DIYers

Although you can buy a commercial cleaner specifically designed for use on marble, any mild, alkaline dish soap will do the job. The following three tips should allow you to tackle any stain on your marble countertops:

1. For general cleaning and maintenance, you simply need to:

  • Mix warm water and dish soap in a refillable spray bottle (about a tablespoon of soap to a bottle of water)
  • Spray the entire surface area of your countertop
  • Wipe up all residue with a clean cloth until dry
  • Buff with a soft towel
  • Store the remaining cleaning solution for later use

2. For most food or wine-based stains, you can spot-treat the stained area with hydrogen peroxide mixed with a few drops of ammonia.

3. Remember that marble is more sensitive to acid solutions like lemon juice or vinegar and can even contribute to the formation of dull etches that require re-grinding and polishing.

The bacteria-resistant nature of natural stone means you generally don’t need to worry about extensive disinfecting, provided the counter has a solid seal. However, should extra precautions be required, a quick spritz with isopropyl alcohol or antibacterial soap and wipe with a clean cloth is all that is necessary for a little extra protection.

Granite Countertop Cleaning Tips for DIYers

Cleaning and disinfecting granite countertops will be very similar to marble countertops. They can also be kept in great shape with a regular routine of warm water, mild soap, and microfiber towels.

For oil-based stains, you might try creating a poultice of baking soda and water in a bowl (until it is roughly the consistency of Greek yogurt or sour cream). Next, use a flexible spatula to spread on the affected area, cover with plastic wrap, and tape down the edges. Make sure to spot-test a small area first to ensure that the color of the stone won’t be affected. After you apply, let sit undisturbed for a day or two to let the baking soda draw out the stain. Rinse to monitor the results. Difficult stains might require multiple treatments.

For water-based stains, use the same process but substitute hydrogen peroxide for baking soda and water.

GranitePro: Your Granite Experts

Occasionally, even the best-maintained countertops may require professional cleaning and resealing. At GranitePro, our team of in-house artisans is here to help you with all of your marble and granite countertop needs. Call us today at 410.875.7579 for information on how to best care for our natural stone products, keeping them looking as good as new for decades to come.

Categorized: Countertops, Maintenance, Marble Countertops, Remodeling
Tagged: Clean and Disinfect Countertops, cleaning, maintaining countertops, marble counters

May 07 2021

Easiest Countertops to Maintain

When it comes to heavily trafficked areas in the home, the kitchen is always the first room that comes to mind. It’s where family and friends gather to share meals, stories, laughs, and be merry – and the more time that is spent worrying about cleaning and maintaining your kitchen countertops, the less time is spent enjoying your kitchen with the ones you love the most.

With more than 16 years of experience in the industry, Granite Pro has the knowledge and expertise to guide you in the right direction if you have questions regarding maintaining your kitchen countertops. Reach out at 410.875.7579 to speak to a professional today.

Countertop Maintenance

Custom bathroom and kitchen counters both require maintenance depending on the material that they are made with. Every countertop has different care requirements, but they are all relatively simple to maintain. 

Laminate Countertops

Laminate countertops date back to the 1920s, but many of us remember them as dated orange countertops in our grandmother’s home. While this was the case 50-60 years ago, laminate countertops today come with beautiful designs made to imitate stone and other luxury counter materials.

They remain just as easy to maintain as always, meaning you won’t have to worry about refinishing or sealing ever again, and a good clean can be done with a towel and any multi-purpose surface cleaner.

Quartz Countertops

Quartz or engineered stone countertops are made with a mixture of crushed stone pieces and resin, resulting in a uniform quartz look. Despite the luxurious look, quartz countertops are some of the easiest to maintain and clean. The resin used to bind the pieces of stone together is a non-porous material that, when cured, results in the following: in

  • Stain-resistant countertops
  • Easy-to-clean counters 

Recycled Glass Countertops

Recycled glass countertops are made in much the same way as quartz counters. The recycled glass is first crushed up, and the pieces are molded together by a polymer resin mixture. The result is a beautiful high-end-looking counter with a long-lasting finish.

Due to the non-porousness of recycled glass counters, they can be cleaned with soap and water or with a multi-surface cleaner.

Soapstone Countertops

Soapstone is a beautiful natural stone material that has been used for hundreds of years. It is a super dense stone which makes it a great choice as a countertop material. Its density prohibits bacterial growth and allows for easy restriction-free cleaning. 

Another unique property of using soapstone countertops in your bathroom or kitchen is its tendency to patina over time. Some people prefer the unique character adding change, while others prefer to lightly sand and buff the counters to get them back to their original finish. Whatever you decide to do, the process is simple and minimal.

Granite Countertops

Granite countertops require a lot more maintenance than those materials that are listed above but remain unmatched in their beauty. Due to their porous nature, granite countertops need to be sealed every 1-5 years, depending on how often they are used.

One of the downfalls to granite is that if something is spilled on them and not wiped up immediately, it could potentially stain the surface. Certain cleaning materials also have a tendency to mess with the finish of granite counters. Hot water and a soft cloth are ideal for quick cleanups. For countertop installation in Maryland, GranitePro has you covered.

Granite Pro Offers Free In-Home Estimates

Here at Granite Pro, we offer professional custom countertops made with top-of-the-line luxury stone. We have been serving our clients for two generations and continue to deliver unrivaled service. Contact us today at 410.875.7579, or contact us online for a free in-home estimate. 

Categorized: Countertops, Maintenance, Marble Countertops
Tagged: Countertops, home maintenance, maintaining countertops

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The countertop experts at GranitePro in Eldersburg, Maryland have built the foundation of our company upon providing our clients with quality countertops, affordable pricing, and excellent customer service.
At GranitePro we have one basic principle, Make It Easy. From start to finish, we are here to help you every step of the way. It is as simple as that!
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