There’s a reason why granite is such a popular choice for countertops – it is much more durable than many other options. While general wear and tear may not be common, it doesn’t mean that granite is free from damage. In fact, if you don’t maintain it properly, the longevity of your granite countertop will be compromised.
That said, here are some things you should never subject your granite countertop to:
• Oil bottles
After using oil for cooking, make sure you never leave the bottle on your granite countertop. Residual oil is likely to leak down the bottle, and if you leave it on the countertop, you will have ugly stains which can be hard to get rid of. It’s advised that you keep such oil bottles in cupboards.
• Hot pots and pans
Granite can surely handle the heat, but the sealant will suffer if you directly place your pots and pans straight from the stove on your countertop. Especially if your sealant is wearing thin, make sure you always use trivets and potholders.
• Items with acid content
Any item with an acid content, whether it is citrus fruits, vinegar, cleaning agents, soft drinks, etc. should not be kept on your granite countertop. The acid can be highly damaging for the sealant. Always use a cutting board when cutting lemons and other citrus fruits.
• Using knives directly on the granite
There’s a reason why the top chefs in the world recommend always using a cutting board on your granite kitchen countertop – the blades on the knives will easily become blunt. Granite is a strong material, and the blades of the knives will easily become dull the more they hit the surface of the countertop.
• Spills of any liquid
Even though granite is not very porous, it is still suggested that you don’t leave spills from any liquid whether it be water, juice, wine, etc. If you don’t clean such spill quickly, they will definitely leave stains.
• Nail polishes and other cosmetics
Never leave nail polishes and other cosmetics such as perfume on your granite bathroom countertop. Such products contain chemicals, which will damage the granite in the long run. Nail polish especially should be avoided because it contains acetone, which is extremely abrasive.
• Uncooked meat
Never place uncooked meat directly on your granite countertop. Raw meat has many contaminants, and if the countertop isn’t cleaned properly, there is a good chance that these contaminants will make their way to other foods.
Make sure to avoid these when it comes to your granite countertop so that its beauty and functionality can be preserved for a long time.