How to Maintain Granite Worktops for Maximum Longevity: The Ultimate Guide

03 September, 2024

Elliot Hobson

Director

Granite worktops are a stunning addition to any kitchen, offering both durability and timeless beauty. However, to keep them looking their best and ensure they last for years, proper maintenance is essential. This guide will walk you through the key steps to maintaining your granite worktops, preserving their natural elegance, and maximising their longevity.

We’ve broken down the process into four essential pillars: Cleaning, Sealing, Worktop Care and Protection, and Stain Protection and removal. Each of these pillars addresses a critical aspect of granite care, ensuring that your worktops remain as pristine and durable as the day they were installed. Whether you’re dealing with everyday spills or looking to protect or restore your worktops from potential damage, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and techniques needed to keep your granite surfaces in top condition.

Cleaning and Maintenance of Granite Worktops

Daily Cleaning of your Granite Worktop

For daily cleansing, warm water and soap will do the trick. Use of a soft, damp cloth is recommended, as is the use of distilled water. Chlorine contained in some tap water is hard on granite. Simply swirl your cloth in the warm sudsy water and clean your Granite. Be sure to rinse the cloth thoroughly, giving the worktops another good wipe down to rinse away any remaining residue. Follow this with a microfibre cloth for added shine. If over time, your finish looks dull, simply give it another good cleaning with hot water. The dull finish is typically the result of residue buildup on the surface of your countertop. Weekly cleanings with a non-abrasive stone cleaner are recommended to remove residue buildup to retain the lustrous finish of your Granite worktops. The specialty stone cleaner must contain a low pH balance and no harsh chemical bases.

Choosing The Right Granite Worktop Cleaning Solution

If using your Granite worktops frequently enough that you don’t think daily soap and water will take care of the mess and germs, commercial cleaners are available. However, you must practice caution in choosing your Granite worktop cleaner. Available at most hardware stores, you need to closely analyse the cleaner before making your purchase. Simply stating that it is the best cleaner for granite does not make this a fact. Your cleaner must contain a low pH balance, no harsh chemicals, and stay away from abrasive cleaning products! Neutral base cleaners are your best bet, and you should avoid lemon, lime, and ammonia bases at all costs.

You can avoid some of the concerns relating to commercial granite worktops cleaners by making homemade cleaning solutions. The most safe and effective homemade cleaning solution for granite is 25% isopropyl alcohol, a few drops of your favourite dish soap, and three parts water. Shake it up in a spray bottle, grab a soft cloth, and you have an inexpensive, low pH, non-abrasive solution that effectively cleans and kills germs on your granite worktops.

Sealing Granite Countertops

To keep your granite worktops looking their best and protect them from stains and spills, regular sealing is a must. Sealing acts as a protective barrier, preventing liquids from penetrating the porous surface of the granite. The process is simple and well worth the effort to maintain the natural beauty of your countertops.

How to Seal Your Granite Worktops

Begin by thoroughly cleaning the surface with a mild, non-abrasive cleaner. Once your granite is clean and completely dry, it’s time to apply the sealant. Choose a high-quality granite sealer, preferably one that is water-based and formulated specifically for natural stone. Pour a small amount of the sealer onto the countertop and spread it evenly using a soft cloth or sponge. Be sure to cover the entire surface, working in sections to avoid missing any spots.

Allow the sealer to sit for the recommended time, usually about 15-20 minutes, allowing it to penetrate the stone. Afterward, wipe away any excess sealer with a clean cloth to prevent a hazy residue from forming. For best results, repeat this process once or twice a year, depending on the level of use your countertops see.

Regular sealing not only enhances the stone’s natural shine but also ensures your granite worktops remain as resistant to stains and damage as possible, preserving their elegance and durability for years to come.

Additional Tips for Long-Term Care and Protection

When it comes to maintaining the beauty and longevity of your granite worktops, a few extra precautions can make all the difference. Here are some additional tips to ensure your countertops stay in top condition for years to come.

Use Chopping Boards with Soft Rubber Pads

While granite is incredibly durable, it’s not immune to micro-scratches that can dull its polished surface over time. To protect your worktops, always use chopping boards when preparing food. Opt for boards with soft rubber pads on the bottom – these not only keep the board steady while you chop but also provide a gentle buffer between the board and the granite.

Avoid Leaving Hot Pans on the Countertop for Long Periods of Time

Granite is heat-resistant, but it’s still wise to avoid placing hot pans directly on the surface for extended periods. While a quick placement of a hot pan might not cause immediate damage, prolonged exposure to heat can lead to thermal shock, which may cause cracks or discoloration. To protect your granite from this risk, always use trivets or heat-resistant pads when setting down hot cookware.

Repairing and Restoring Granite Worktops

If your granite worktops have been overlooked and are showing signs of neglect, don’t worry—restoration is possible with the right approach. Use our handy guide on How to Repair and Restore Your Granite Worktop to find out how you can bring your granite worktop back to its original glory.

Stain Prevention and Removal

How to Prevent Stains on Granite Worktops

Keeping your granite worktops free from stains is easier than you might think with a few simple practices. Granite is naturally resistant to most stains, but to ensure it stays that way, a little proactive care goes a long way.

Start by wiping up spills as soon as they happen. Whether it’s a splash of red wine, coffee, or oil, quickly blotting the area with a soft cloth can prevent liquids from seeping into the stone. It’s best to use warm, soapy water for daily cleaning, but as mentioned previously, avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners that can dull the surface over time.

The regular application of a high-quality stone sealer will also hugely help to prevent stains, as this creates a barrier on the surface of your granite, making it even more resistant to staining. A well-sealed countertop is your first line of defence, so make sure to reapply the sealer as recommended—typically once a year or whenever water no longer beads on the surface.

Removing Stains from Granite Worktops

Granite’s porous nature leaves it susceptible to stains. You should clean up any spill or stain your granite worktops immediately to avoid permanent damage. Don’t just use your basic cleaner on stains, however. A poultice is the appropriate method for cleaning stains on granite. For gentle scrubbing mix flour or talcum powder with dish soap to create a paste. For organic stains such as coffee, tea, and fruit, replace the soap with hydrogen peroxide. For all other stains on granite worktops, replace the soap with the appropriate chemical, blot the stain, cover with poultice and plastic wrap, allowing the mixture to dry for several hours or overnight. Scrape of the mixture, and gently scrub and rinse the area. Your stain should be gone.

Local Granite Worktop Installation Experts

At Surrey Marble & Granite, we proudly serve a wide range of areas across the South East of England, including Surrey, London, and Hampshire. Our local installation team has extensive expertise in managing projects of all sizes, delivering exceptional results every time.

With over 23 years of trading and 30 years of industry experience, we offer competitive pricing by sourcing our granite directly from the quarry. Our skilled design team, coupled with state-of-the-art equipment, ensures that every project is fabricated to the highest standards. We take great pride in our outstanding customer service and the superior quality of our work.

We invite you to get in touch with us or book an appointment to visit our showroom

Elliot Hobson

Director