| Among many home owners and contractors, | | | | worst circumstances.Imagine that horrible |
| granite is the countertop material considered | | | | sound of a scratch being formed as you |
| the best choice. Its easy care and cleaning | | | | innocently slide something from here to |
| make it extremely versatile, And its natural | | | | there, the sound that tells you - oops it's |
| beauty is unmatched by manufactured | | | | too late, it's already done.True there are |
| materials.Even the pickiest of consumers can | | | | some manufacturers of products that claim to |
| find a granite countertop pattern, color and | | | | repair scratches or blemishes from granite, |
| texture that will compliment their kitchen | | | | but consider this - A slab of stone with a |
| decor, making for a kitchen they will love | | | | scratch means that some of the material has |
| for ever, until the day they move on.Granite | | | | been removed. How can any miracle product put |
| is also extremely stain resistant and | | | | stone back? They can't. They can hide it if |
| durable. It stands up to acids and other | | | | it's not too bad, but your only real defense |
| harsh elements commonly found in any 'cooks' | | | | is to be diligent and prevent scratches |
| kitchen. This means less upkeep and care are | | | | before they happen.Cleaning your granite |
| additional benefits to the kitchen owner.And | | | | countertop is an issue too. Obviously don't |
| it's gorgeous! The countless colors and | | | | use an abrasive like Comet or Ajax - that's |
| patterns can make it difficult to choose just | | | | common sense. But did you know that ammonia |
| one. Many samples have large clear crystals | | | | based cleaners - used over time - will dull |
| that give a depth and texture unmatched. The | | | | that amazing shine and luster of your |
| color textures mix with the depth textures to | | | | granite. Never use an ammonia based cleaner. |
| make a canvas you can stare at all day long, | | | | If you're not sure, don't use it. You're |
| and constantly find new features.Granite is | | | | better off using warm soapy water for the |
| so easy to clean, and annual sealing is a | | | | time being - that is, until you can locate a |
| breeze. But there are some things to be | | | | good source specifically for granite |
| considered when caring for your kitchen | | | | cleaners.Granite needs to be sealed annually. |
| granite countertops.And granite countertops | | | | Although it's a highly polished stone, it is |
| are impervious to kitchen heat. Imagine | | | | still porous, and those pours need to be kept |
| taking a boiling-over pot of water from the | | | | sealed. Sealing the granite helps it resist |
| stove to settle, and you place it on the | | | | stains and keep its shine. Sealers can be |
| Formica counter top - Oops, you could have | | | | applied by anyone, since no special skill is |
| discoloration or even a burn mark. Even if | | | | required. You can always call a local granite |
| you're more careful than that, other | | | | shop to do this work if you prefer, but |
| household members might not be.Not that a | | | | either way, mark you calendar and get it done |
| granite countertop doesn't need any care, it | | | | each year.To summarize, granite is the most |
| does. But with just a minimal amount of | | | | beautiful, durable, and versatile countertop |
| proper care, any granite countertop will | | | | material on the market. Brand new, it's |
| maintain the sparkle and shine that it had | | | | sparkle will draw the attention of everyone |
| when you chose the slab from the supplier.One | | | | you invite into your home. But fail to care |
| of the biggest problems you can face with all | | | | for it, and the shine will eventually |
| countertop materials is grit or sand. Any | | | | dissolve into a dull boring surface that can |
| object you place on your countertop might | | | | never be repaired. So do seal your granite |
| have some grit stuck to the bottom. A cooler | | | | each year, never use ammonia based cleaners, |
| from the garage, or even a glass of ice-tea | | | | and try to be aware of anything that might |
| from the patio table could contain abrasive | | | | have grit that can scratch.Scott Hares writes |
| grit underneath - grit that can dig in and | | | | for A free informational resource for anyone |
| scratch even your granite quartz given the | | | | considering a new kitchen remodeling project. |