Maintaining Marble, Quartz, and Granite Kitchen Countertops
If you recently purchased a new home, you may be wondering how to maintain those gorgeous marble, quartz, or granite countertops. The good news is that these surfaces are very durable in addition to beautiful, which is why we like to include them in our new construction homes. There are a few issues you should be aware of, however, to ensure you can keep your kitchen countertops looking like new for years to come.
Granite Countertop Maintenance
Granite has been one of the most popular kitchen countertop materials since the turn of the century, and there’s no wonder why. Granite countertops are durable, heat-resistant, and add a luxurious sparkle in a kitchen. Following are a few tips for maintaining granite countertops in order to keep them looking as dazzling as they were the day you moved in.
- Regularly wipe the countertops with warm, soapy water and rinse them off. Use pH-neutral soap. If you prefer, you can use a solution of equal parts isopropyl alcohol and water, which will gently disinfect and clean the countertops. There’s no need to use commercial granite cleaners, as soap and water should do the trick.
- As noted by the DIY Network, to remove stains, make a paste of baking soda and water and use it to scrub the spot with a soft cloth. Alternatively, you can place the paste on the spot, securely cover it with plastic wrap, and wait up to a couple of days for the mixture to dry. Afterward, wipe away the paste with a soft cloth and rinse the countertop with warm water.
- Occasionally wipe the counters with cooking oil and then buff them in order to maintain a nice shine.
- Avoid using glass cleaner on granite countertops because it could dull the shine and weaken the surface.
Singh offers granite countertops in many of its apartments and new construction homes.
Quartz Countertop Maintenance
Engineered quartz countertops can add a similar sophistication to your home, and they are actually harder and stronger than natural stone granite countertops. They’re also stain-resistant. Following are several basic tips for maintaining and cleaning quartz countertops.
- Fresh spills should be cleaned up immediately with mild dish soap and water. Use a soft cloth.
- Glass or surface cleaner can be used to remove stains on quartz countertops.
- As noted on the BobVila.com website, you can use a plastic putty knife to gently scrape off gum, food, nail polish, paint, or similar substances that harden as they dry.
- If glass cleaner or soap and water don’t do the trick, you can use kitchen degreasers on quartz countertops if necessary.
Marble Countertop Maintenance
Marble is a high-end natural stone. Although it’s sturdy and scratch-resistant like granite and quartz, it does require some TLC.
- Marble is especially sensitive to acidic solutions, lemon, vinegar, and similar products. As these acids eat away at the surfaces, they can create spots on the surface. Some homeowners rather enjoy this effect, but others find themselves trying to smooth these grooves away.
- You may use a soft cloth and mild, non-acidic soap and water to clean marble countertops. If you prefer, you can use non-abrasive stone cleaner made for marble.
- After basic, everyday cleaning, buff the countertops with a soft towel.
- As noted on BobVila.com, you would use varying methods to clear stains depending on the substance.
- You can use mineral spirits to clean oil-based stains.
- Food and beverage stains can be cleaned off with a 12 percent hydrogen peroxide solution and a few drops of ammonia.
- Metal stains can be cleaned with remixed commercial poultices mixed with water. Use it to cover the stain, and then place plastic wrap over the paste for one to two days. Remove the plastic and allow the poultice to dry. Remove the poultice with a wood or plastic scraper, and then rinse the area and buff it with a soft cloth.
Kitchen Countertop Maintenance: What You Should Not Do
Whether your home features quartz, marble, or granite countertops, there are a few common issues you should avoid.
- Do not clean countertops with abrasive cleansers or abrasive pads, as they could be scratched.
- Do not prepare foods directly on the countertops. Although quartz, marble, and granite are strong materials, knives could scratch them. Use sturdy cutting boards instead.
- Do not drench countertops in water. If you do, the water could seep behind the walls and around the sink, leading to damage over time.
- Avoid using highly acidic products to clean countertops. These products will dull the brilliant shine and eventually weaken the surface.
- Although these surfaces are popular because they can withstand heat better than materials such as laminate, you should still avoid placing hot pots and pans directly on the kitchen countertops. In extreme cases, very hot pots and pans could crack the surface, especially if it was cold beforehand.
Keeping Your New Construction Home Looking Like New
Maintaining the different areas of your home is key to ensuring it looks like new for years to come, and understanding the proper ways to clean various surfaces is the first step.
We at Singh are proud to offer homebuyers with luxurious kitchen countertops in our new construction homes in Canton, South Lyon, and Novi. For more information about home maintenance and home design ideas, see our blog page or contact our Singh Homes development team.