Granite is one of the most luxurious, high end and envied materials you can pick for countertops in your kitchen or bathroom. Formica and laminate countertops deteriorate and scratch very easily over time, making your kitchen or bathroom look cheap and outdated. Upgrading to granite makes the room look elegant, grand and high end. It’s one of the best decisions you can make when it comes to adding equity and value to your home.
Survey after survey conclude that an overwhelming majority of homeowners prefer granite countertops to any other stone in the kitchen or bathroom. That is because of their beauty, durability and resilience to damage.
Countertops in the kitchen especially, need to be strong. You cut food, cook and wash dishes around these countertops and having them be impervious to daily wear and tear is a huge bonus. Granite withstands all the daily use in the kitchen beautifully. Once installed however, many people wonder and fret about how to care for and clean their granite. While granite is durable, is there a right or a wrong way to clean this stone? The answer is yes.
Vinegar as a cleaning agent
Cleaning with vinegar is not a new fad that has taken Pinterest by storm, this method of cleaning was used by your grandma and probably your grandma’s grandma. You can find millions of cleaning hacks online with the use of vinegar and the magical cleaning powers it possesses.
From wearing down crusty water deposits on shower heads to making your dishes gleam, vinegar is a great tool when it comes to removing difficult stains, hard water build up and even well as stains and pet odors.
The acidity in vinegar is what makes it such a powerful cleaning agent as it can break down and dissolve almost any icky deposits, buildups or sticky residue. It is important to remember however, that just because vinegar is fantastic in some areas, does not mean you should go crazy spraying it all over the house.
Because of its acidity, vinegar can actually do a lot of damage in the wrong places such a s delicate fabrics, wood floors and furniture and last, your gorgeous, granite countertops.
Vinegar on granite will do a lot of damage
Granite is a naturally made stone that makes up much of the earth’s continental crust. In nature, granite can withstand much heat, pressure, cold and the elements of nature such as snow, rain and sleet. It is one of the hardest natural stones, which makes it a perfect element in your kitchen.
You can set hot pans on it without causing any burn damage and granite withstands the daily wear and tear without getting scratched, chipped or worn away. While it is strong, it is not immune to everything.
Even granite has its kryptonite and that is acid. Vinegar on granite is a big no-no. This liquid, along with other acids in the kitchen such as lemon juice, soda pop or ammonia are very acidic and can etch your lovely granite countertops.
Etching is a chemical reaction that happens when granite comes in contact with these acidic liquids. Vinegar on granite can cause it to lose its shine, dull and etch over time, diminishing the beauty of this natural stone.
Coffee, tea, wine and fruit juice can stain granite but you can easily remove stains by using a 12% hydrogen peroxide solution. There are many stain removal granite products you can purchase, such as a poultice made by Dupont which is very effective at removing stains caused by acidic liquid in the kitchen.
The best way to clean granite
Cleaning your granite countertops is easy. A little dish soap, warm water and a soft dishcloth is the perfect way to clean and disinfect your countertops. Arch City Granite will help answer all your questions when it comes to keeping your granite countertops looking their best year after year. We are the experts when it comes to care, selection and installation of all natural stone and granite countertops. Come in to one of our fully stocked storerooms today for all the latest trends in granite and natural stone countertops.