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