Granite is one of the toughest igneous rocks formed in the depths of the earth, so you’d think you could put anything on your granite countertops and get away with it. Yes, granite is tough,, but that doesn’t mean you can place anything on it.

Knowing the correct cleaning procedures and what to avoid on granite countertops will help them last longer. To be on the safe side, here are some of the things you should avoid on your granite surfaces:

Working with raw meat

Although well-sealed granite should keep bacteria from getting into the countertop’s microscopic pores, do you really want to risk cross-contamination with Salmonella?

The meat will not harm the granite, but what remains may be harmful to you when it comes into contact with another meal. Also, after handling raw meat, most people frequently feel the need to clean the food prep surface with powerful disinfectants that are not suitable for granite counters.

Many of the most common grocery store cleaners can dull and harm the sealer, potentially discoloring the granite. And you don’t want this, do you?

For a great experience, simply use a cutting board and then clean up with soapy water and a microfiber towel.

Letting spills remain on the countertops

Despite your best intentions, you will almost always spill something on your kitchen countertop, leaving tenacious stains on your glossy countertop. So, do granite countertops discolor from certain types of spills? Most absolutely.

Some spills cause mild discoloration. However, accidents such as coffee, tea, turmeric, wine, fruit juice, and grease can leave stubborn stains on the surface if not cleaned right away. The spill might seep into the surface, leaving stains and ruining the appearance of your pricey granite countertop.

To prevent staining, use a clean microfiber towel to quickly wipe the spill away from the granite surface. You can also saturate the cloth with warm water and continue wiping the surface until it is completely clean.

Using harmful cleaning agents

Despite granite’s resistance to damage, it might lose its luster if you use harsh cleaning chemicals. So, what should you avoid using to clean granite countertops? When cleaning granite slabs, you should avoid using the following cleaning products:

Glass cleaners: While glass cleaners can give your granite countertop a quick, sparkling appearance, they can eventually cause uneven, dull patches on the surface.

Bathroom cleaners: Most bathroom cleaners remove soap stains and brighten ceramic and porcelain.

When applied to granite, this chemically aggressive cleaning agent can scratch the surface and discolor the surfaces.

The cleaning materials indicated above are excellent cleaning agents, but they are not designed for granite surfaces. The alkaline and acidic components in those cleaners can wear away the sealer that protects the granite surface.

Any damage to the sealant may expose the granite to various issues, including stains and cracks.

So, what is safe to use to clean granite countertops? Some of the products that you can use include:

• Warm water.
• Dish soap
• Cleaners with pH 7.
• Microfiber cloths or paper towels
• Cleaners and degreasers specifically designed for granite countertops.
• Ammonia-free cleaning chemicals.
• Isopropyl alcohol for disinfection.

Sitting or standing on granite

A granite countertop can support up to 1,000 pounds when evenly distributed across its surface. However, it is not intended for people to sit or stand on. This means that applying uneven pressure to its surface will shatter or destroy the granite slab.

When you sit or stand on your countertop, a lot of pressure is applied to the granite at a specific location. As a result, unequal pressure distribution on the countertop may cause the granite to crack.

Many people tend to sit on the edge of their countertops while cooking or even stand on them to reach the upper shelves of kitchen cupboards. To be on the safe side and ensure your countertops last as long as possible, avoid such practices.

You can simply stop this behavior by making basic arrangements on your counter. Place a chair next to the countertop for sitting while cooking, and get an indoor ladder to access the upper shelves.

Placing hot pans on granite surfaces

Can you place hot pans on granite? While granite is robust enough to withstand the heat of a hot pan without melting or breaking, it is wise to use a protective barrier between the granite and the pan.

Granite is an igneous rock, it can withstand high temperatures. This means that brief contact with a hot pot will not damage your countertops.

While this is the case, high heat might cause the sealants to degrade. Sealants are important to protect against stains and other damage.

To increase the life of your countertops, always have trivets and potholders nearby while cooking. This way,, you get a place to put your hot pots and protect your surfaces from damage.

Dropping heavy items on the granite surfaces

Although granite is tough and resilient, dropping a heavy object on your countertop may cause chips or scratches. The edges and cutouts near the sink are particularly vulnerable to a collision.

You should avoid harming your countertops by keeping heavy kitchenware and bulky objects in lower cabinets. Lifting an item down from a top cabinet increases the likelihood of dropping it compared to taking it up from below.

To protect your surfaces, make it a habit to lift bulky objects slowly and cautiously onto your granite counters.

Using the undermount sink as a bathtub

Even though an undermount sink is securely fastened to the bottom of granite worktops, bathing a child in a kitchen sink may cause the sink mounting to loosen. Water can infiltrate through gaps between the granite and your sink, harboring mold and damaging the cabinet below.

You should preserve the seal around your undermount sink to keep it securely attached to your countertops at all times.

Although bathing your child in the sink is a terrific photo opportunity, it is preferable to use a bathtub to protect your granite kitchen countertops NC.

Parting shot

These are some of the things you should avoid doing to your countertops. As a rule of thumb, always consider the harm your countertops can cause. As mentioned, while the countertops are tough, that doesn’t mean you should abuse them.

Take good care of them, and they will retain their elegant look for a long time, and you will be proud of them.