Granite Counter Tops

[Dizneydaz]

As per our granite fabricator and installer we use vinegar and water on our counters. They've been in for several years and look brand new-no etching.

We also seal ours about every 6 months or so. And yes, the sealing is neccesary especially where water may sit-like around the faucet. We have one of the tops you can order from Home Depot that says it never needs sealing but I can tell you around the faucet where water always seems to be, the granite does get darker when the water gets into the granite. When I see this happening I know it's time to reseal.

Our custom counters in the kitchen and master bath don't get the water sitting on it like the one in the powder room. But I still seal the kitchen about twice a year. In the master once a year is good.

If you don't seal your granite, and it's not dark, you can get stains in it that won't be removable. For example dark wine can, and will, leave a stain on unsealed granite. As will a greasy pizza box. Our family has been in constuction (residential remodeling) for over 40 years. And the 2 examples I mentioned have been something that has been witnessed personally.

We replaced our white tile with the granite and I didn't think I would be as happy with it as we are! We absolutely love it and it is less maintenance, and looks better, than our tile ever did! I only wish we had done it sooner. We also replaced our wood laminate flooring with porcelain floor tile (in a mutli-color brown) which was also the best thing we could have done. The floor is very easy to take care of, unlike the laminiate.

We also use the vinegar and water solution to clean the outside of our stainless steel dishwasher. Leaves no spots.

 

[Sarah_Rose]

We moved into a newly-built house with granite counters in April - we asked the builder about sealing the granite and were told that our counters only need sealing every 7 years. Now I'm wondering if I should trust this.

For the record, I only use water (and buff with a cloth) for daily cleaning, but I do use the product that came with our counters (Firstline "Clean and Restore" spray) a few times a week, and then a granite polish every few weeks.

 

[Mermaid2sea]

How do you seal the worktops?

 

[MKCP5]

As per our granite fabricator and installer we use vinegar and water on our counters. They've been in for several years and look brand new-no etching.

We also seal ours about every 6 months or so. And yes, the sealing is neccesary especially where water may sit-like around the faucet. We have one of the tops you can order from Home Depot that says it never needs sealing but I can tell you around the faucet where water always seems to be, the granite does get darker when the water gets into the granite. When I see this happening I know it's time to reseal.

Our custom counters in the kitchen and master bath don't get the water sitting on it like the one in the powder room. But I still seal the kitchen about twice a year. In the master once a year is good.

If you don't seal your granite, and it's not dark, you can get stains in it that won't be removable. For example dark wine can, and will, leave a stain on unsealed granite. As will a greasy pizza box. Our family has been in constuction (residential remodeling) for over 40 years. And the 2 examples I mentioned have been something that has been witnessed personally.

We replaced our white tile with the granite and I didn't think I would be as happy with it as we are! We absolutely love it and it is less maintenance, and looks better, than our tile ever did! I only wish we had done it sooner. We also replaced our wood laminate flooring with porcelain floor tile (in a mutli-color brown) which was also the best thing we could have done. The floor is very easy to take care of, unlike the laminiate.

We also use the vinegar and water solution to clean the outside of our stainless steel dishwasher. Leaves no spots.

hmmmmmmmmmmmm.............interesting. Ours have been in for years and have never been "sealed" maybe it's ecause it is dark granite that it isn't needed. What product do you use to seal them with?

 

[jrmasm]

Uba Tuba does not need to be sealed.

Windex without ammonia is a safe cleaner.

 

[Psychodisney]

You can buy granite sealer at Home Depot or Lowes. It's simple...basically spray on, buff off per the directions.

 

[Nik's Mom]

Oh, my windex does not have amonea. It has vinegar. Maybe that's why it says granite-safe on the bottle then.

Thanks, Psychodisney. I will buy the sealer. It sounds pretty easy to do myself then.

Boy, it seems like every person is told a different story on how to care for granite. That is what makes this so frustrating.