If you have a granite countertop at home, it is essential that you maintain it properly so that it can maintain its shiny and luxurious appearance. Besides, granite countertops are an investment that you will have to spend a lot of money on if they need to be replaced.
One integral part of maintenance is polishing. Polishing granite countertops should not be skipped if you want to preserve the natural beauty of your countertop, as well as the functionality and durability. Even if you clean your granite countertop regularly, it will eventually dull down with time, losing its luster and may even have scratches, which is why polishing is so important.
Here are a few things you should keep in mind before you go ahead and start polishing your granite countertop:
Always clean your granite countertop thoroughly before polishing
First, before you start polishing your countertop, make sure to clean it thoroughly. This is so that every little stain, even small food crumbs, grimes, and sticky films will be removed from the surface. Wipe the countertop surface carefully using a soft cloth or a sponge and a non-abrasive cleaner. After cleaning, take a soft, dry cloth and dry the surface. Make sure you clean slowly and carefully because how well the polish applies depends on it.
Only use polish that is safe for granite
There are endless options in the market when it comes to polish, which is why you have to be careful. You need to make sure that the polish is non-abrasive and safe to apply on granite. Some polishes may have too much acid content, which can lead to permanent damage. Check the content of the polish and don’t buy it if it contains vinegar, lime, lemon, bleach or ammonia. Such ingredients can damage the sealant apart from causing other harm.
You can choose either wet or dry granite polish. Dry polish comes in powder form and is affordable. You can even add water if you want it wet. However, wet polish work well with polishing pads.
You can even make your own polish at home
If you don’t want to spend money on buying granite polish, you can easily make your own at home with simple ingredients. While you can find all kinds of information on how to make your own polish, it is important that it is safe for your granite. A simple recipe which has proven to be safe is to mix ¼ of baking soda with three cups of water. Once mixed thoroughly, you can apply it on your granite surface with ease.
Many people think that if they have sealed their granite countertops, they don’t have to polish it. This is not true. Polishing is required every few years, depending on how heavy you use your countertop.
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