Tag Archives: installing kitchen counters

Can You Clean Granite with Lemon Juice?

Granite, known for its beauty and durability, is still a popular choice for countertops, floors, and backsplashes today. Granite is stain-resistant and easy to clean. While this is the case, you’ll want to take care when cleaning your granite countertops.

Can you clean granite with lemon juice? You should avoid doing this. This is because the acid in the juice could weaken the seal, causing damage to the actual stone. Lemon is also detrimental to granite because it includes calcite, so never use lemon-based cleaners on your granite counter and use caution while cooking with lemon.

At the same time, don’t use scouring cleansers on granite because they might erode the seal, leaving the stone vulnerable—only clean granite with mild soap and water. Make sure to rinse the soap off the countertop thoroughly, or you risk developing a buildup that will make your counter appear dull.

How to properly clean granite countertops

You’ll adore your granite countertops’ beautiful pattern. Unfortunately, crumbs can easily hide amid the speckles and swirls. Get down at eye level with your granite countertops and inspect them for residue. You’ll be able to find crumbs and trash that you might have missed.

Wipe down the countertops. To clean granite, combine a soft cotton cloth, a light liquid dishwashing soap, and warm water. If you want to take the easy option, use a commercially available stone cleaner.

Rinse and dry. To remove water stains and streaks after washing with a soap solution, rinse the surface with water and dry with a soft towel.

Deep Cleaning (Optional). Fill a spray bottle with a 50/50 mixture of rubbing alcohol and water for a more thorough cleaning. A spray cleaner gives granite surfaces an incredible shine. This mixture can also help to remove bacteria and disinfect granite surfaces.

Tricks to remove stains from granite

Although your granite may be perfectly sealed, the sealer is intended to deflect stains rather than entirely prevent them. Blot spills immediately to prevent them from spreading. Then, use water and mild dish soap to clean the area, followed by numerous rinses with clean water.

Although granite surfaces are stain-resistant, stains are nevertheless likely to appear, particularly in food preparation areas and bathroom vanities.

Oil-based and organic stains are common on kitchen and bathroom surfaces, and you can easily remove them by following the proper process.

You should start by making a poultice. A poultice can effectively remove stains from granite countertops. Use baking soda as a cleaning base, followed by water for oil-based stains and hydrogen peroxide for water-based stains. Combine the baking soda and liquid to form a paste.

You should then apply paste and scrub. Apply a poultice on the stain. Next, use a soft cloth to scrape the surface gently.

Once you are done, rinse and repeat. Rinse with water and repeat until the stain is removed.

Cover with plastic and let sit (optional). If the paste-rinse-repeat procedure isn’t working, add more paste and cover the area with plastic wrap.

Tape down the corners of the plastic wrap and let it sit overnight or for a few days. Remove the plastic wrap, then rinse and gently scrub the area with a soft cloth.

How to keep your countertops clean for a long time

Maintenance and preventative practices can help keep your granite surfaces looking crisp. To have an easy time keeping your surfaces in good shape, here are valuable tips you should follow:

Think about sealing. Sealing granite surfaces with an impregnating sealer protects them from stains. Sealers do not make stone surfaces stain-proof; instead, they make them more stain-resistant. Sealers in food processing facilities must be nontoxic and food-safe.

Use precautions: Always use coasters under glasses, especially those holding alcohol or citrus juices, and place hot foods on trivets. Items that stain granite surfaces, such as cooking oils, oil-based cosmetics, and creams, should not be stored there.

Protect against abrasive sand, mud, and grit by frequently mopping interior floors with a clean, non-treated dry dust mop. To reduce tracked-in dirt, place slip-resistant mats or area rugs inside and exterior entrances.

If you use a vacuum cleaner on granite floors, be sure the attachments and wheels are in good condition; worn equipment can harm granite.

Stay on top of spills: Immediately blot (not wipe) spills with a paper towel. Wiping spreads spills. Flush the area with a solution of water and mild dish soap; rinse thoroughly. Dry the area completely with a soft cloth. Repeat as necessary.

Avoid using strong cleansers. Granites may include trace amounts of acid-sensitive minerals, so avoid cleaning products with lemon, vinegar, or other acids. Do not use scouring powders, abrasive lotions, or rust removers.

Avoid ammonia, bleach, and cleaning agents containing solvents or caustics that may remove sealers.

How often should you clean your granite countertops?

You should clean worktops in the kitchen after each meal or at least once a day to get rid of spills, food residue, and protect the sealant finish. You should wipe bathroom counters after each use and clean them properly once a week.

Depending on the amount of foot activity, you should sweep granite floors or dust mop daily and clean weekly using a dishwashing detergent and water solution. You should note that desktops and mantles require weekly dusting.

When should you call a professional?

Granite countertops are an investment that you’ll want to keep looking nice for years. If you follow the above tips, you won’t have an issue keeping your counters clean and maintaining them in top shape for a long time.

If you’re new to granite care and have questions, whether you’ve recently installed new countertops or moved into a home with existing granite surfaces, it’s a good idea to speak with a granite kitchen countertops Durham professional at your local stone shop.

A stone company can also set you up on a sealing plan and provide specific cleaning products that won’t hurt your counters.

When you are looking for a professional, don’t hire just any you come across. Instead, take your time and find one who is experienced and knows what they are doing. The last thing you want is to ruin your counters in the name of fixing them.

9 Things to Consider When Installing New Countertops

Are you thinking about replacing your kitchen countertops? There are several things you should think about. These things include:

The quality of your cabinets

Before you choose a kitchen countertop material, consider the quality of your existing kitchen cabinets. This will help you decide whether you want to keep or replace them.

If you plan to replace your cabinets in the next few years, it’s preferable to do so all at once to avoid incurring duplicate installation expenses.

You should also ensure that your cabinets can withstand the weight of your new countertops. You should note that some lower-grade cabinets may lack the structural integrity to support heavier countertop materials.

Granite is three-quarters of an inch thick and weighs around eighteen pounds per square foot, and your counters could weigh several hundred pounds.

Consider whether the cabinets can handle the extra weight. As a rule of thumb, install weights that your cabinets can hold. You don’t want to overburden them, do you?

The configuration of the sink

When it comes time to replace your countertop, you should consider how your sink is configured. If your sink is below the countertop level, you may not need to replace it when you replace the counters.

Sometimes, your new counter may be taller than your old counters, which means your sink drain pipe will not reach the bottom of the sink.

You may also need to alter the faucet setup to accommodate the new counters.

To avoid confusion and ensure you are making the right decision, consult with your countertop installers about whether you can use your current sink or need to replace it.

The condition of your backsplash

When you replace your countertops, you should also inspect your backsplash.

This is because new countertops may transform your kitchen, especially if you’re also installing new cabinets.

An outdated backsplash, on the other hand, can suddenly appear out of place and, in certain situations, may not even match your new counters.

If your new countertops are thicker than your old ones, your backsplash will hang too low on the wall and run into your new counters.

You may also wish to create a fresh design for your kitchen makeover project by replacing the counter. Unless your old and new counters are nearly identical, upgrading your backsplash is wise.

Your budget

Shopping for different counter materials can be enjoyable, but focusing on more practical considerations is vital.

When deciding on countertop materials, you must consider your budget. Of course, the size of your kitchen will influence the price of your counters, but the material will be the most critical element.

If you have a bigger budget, consider natural stone, quartz, copper, and wood materials.

You can purchase some limited granite or concrete patterns if your budget is more in the middle. If your budget is particularly tight, look into laminate and other similar options.

The time you have to maintain the countertops.

You should always consider how much care and upkeep you want to give your new countertops.

Marble, granite, and other natural stone countertops must be sealed and cleaned carefully. Countertops made of concrete, quartz, or solid surface require no upkeep.

Natural materials such as copper and wood may not require much maintenance, but they will develop a worn, used appearance with time.

You must weigh your options and decide on the right material based on the time you have to maintain the surfaces.

Your desired aesthetics

Your personal design taste may be the most important element in choosing the material for your countertop. Your counters are the key focal point of your kitchen and will set the tone for the entire space. You want to choose something that will complement your color scheme and one you will enjoy for years to come.

Quartz, solid surfaces, and concrete countertops are excellent options for a modern or minimalist aesthetic.

Granite and marble give a traditional, high-end feel, whereas tile makes things feel older and more European. Wood or copper could be great options for your home if you want something a little more rustic.

Your old appliances

You should consider how your existing appliances will complement your new countertop. Think of it as wearing a new outfit with old shoes. It doesn’t give a good impression, does it?

While this is the case, don’t be concerned if your appliances are reasonably new and in good condition. You should be worried if the appliances, such as the stove, have been in use for more than 10 years. In such a case, the best way out is to replace them.

Lighting

Most homeowners install under-cabinet lighting. It’s simple to install, but it’s difficult to figure out how to route the wiring when reinstalling it.

It’s also worth mentioning that under-cabinet lighting can produce eye-straining glare when aimed directly at a highly polished stone surface.

It’s something to think about while selecting countertop materials.

You should always consult the experts to ensure you install appropriate lighting for your surfaces. If the lighting is too old, you might have to replace it.

Plumbing

As mentioned above, you must consider the sink configuration when installing new countertops.

Chances are that you are replacing a tile countertop with a solid surface, such as stone, or an engineered composite surface, like Silestone. While the cabinets may remain in place, a sink will require replacement. The exception occurs when the current sink is installed beneath an existing stone counter.

The sink change impacts the faucet configuration, so you will likely have to replace the faucet as well.

Replacing a countertop affects many of the elements around the sink, including the garbage disposer, which isn’t easy to uninstall.

You should work with countertop replacement NC professionals to find ways to modify your plumbing. If it’s too complicated, consider hiring a plumber to help you out.