A lot of people choose natural stone countertops for their beauty and durability. What most people may not realize is that they are also the easiest to clean. A countertop that can be easily cleaned and disinfected is priceless, especially at this time when we are all trying to protect our homes from the Corona.
There are, however, a few things to be aware of when caring for natural stone countertops. You shouldn’t use any acidic or abrasive cleaners on the countertops — stick to simple soap, water and a disinfectant or mild alcohol based cleaners instead.
Granite countertops, for example, are highly recommended for busy surfaces because of their durability. They are, however, not indestructible. When you are working on your meal preparations, you should be careful because etching your countertop can make it hard to clean.
New View Marble and Granite Countertops Company in Boston is proud to present a comprehensive guide on how to care for porous countertop surfaces. If you were planning on upgrading your countertops to natural stone counters, it is advisable that you read this first.
Use a non-abrasive cleaning cloth with mild detergents to keep your countertops looking new and shiny
Use a soft cloth or sponge and mild detergent to clean off loose stains on your countertops. Dry with a clean, soft cloth. Avoid scrubbing with abrasive cleaning pads or using strong alcoholic base or acid cleaners such as bleach, paint solvents, oven cleaners or turpentine.
For tough stains, you can try soaking them in a glass cleaner, a mild washing detergent or some vinegar for about 10 minutes before rinsing the surface with warm water, and disinfecting it.
Make sure to clean liquid spills as soon as possible to keep your countertops looking new
This is very important if the liquid contains acids or bases. Although most natural stone countertops are highly resistant to corrosive chemicals, leaving acidic spills on them for long periods may etch the surface. This will make it hard to care for porous countertop surfaces in future.
Use a soft cloth and a mild detergent to clean off the spill. Glass cleaners can also be used – never use an abrasive cleaner, no matter how tempted you might be to just “use whatever is in reach”.
Gently Scrub the Surfaces once in a while to maintain its beauty
This is simple. Just apply a few drops of dish soap on a wet, nonabrasive sponge. With the sponge, scrub your counter in an “S” pattern starting from the backsplash towards the edge. Use a little more force on sticky or caked patches. If you encounter a super stubborn area, you can use a razor blade to gently remove it. Don’t worry, if your countertop is properly sealed, you aren’t going to scratch it. Just make sure that the edge of the razor rests on the surface.
Use mild alcohol based disinfectant on your natural countertops
You can create a simple disinfectant using 1/4 cup of rubbing alcohol and one or two cups of water in a spray bottle. If you want to, add 1-2 drops of essential oils for a pleasant fragrance in your disinfectant. Spray the entire countertops down, making sure you cover the whole surface. The disinfectant should be allowed to sit for at least three minutes.
Keep your natural Surfaces dry
After cleaning and disinfecting your Boston Granite Kitchen Countertops, use a soft, clean, dry dish towel to wipe off the remaining moisture. Now, your countertop is clean, disinfected and good as new. You don’t have to repeat the whole process on a daily basis, just make sure to clean the surface every time after use.
As you care for porous countertop surfaces, remember that this is the time when New View Marble and Granite is offering the biggest discounts on marble, granite and Quartz countertops in Boston. Reach out to us today for countertop deals and more tips on how to maintain your countertops.
