Granite, an igneous rock formed from magnum, is very dense, hard and brittle. Granite stands up well against heavy foot traffic, making it preferable for commercial lobbies and walkways. True granite is the hardest of the polished stones commercially available and is used in high stress situations. Resistant to most chemicals, except for oils, which can permeate the stone, granite is also ideal for counter tops and bar tops. While granite countertops are a favorite choice due to their beauty and durability, they are not impervious to damage. Regular care includes proper cleaning and the use of sealers to prevent staining.
Do granite countertops need to be sealed? Perform the paper towel test to determine whether your granite needs to be sealed. Some types of granite never need sealing and adding sealer to these types will just make a mess. Soak a paper towel (without printing) or a white cotton towel. Place the water-soaked towel on the counter and wait about 5 minutes. Is the area under the paper towel dark from the water soaking into the granite? If it is discolored, your granite needs to be sealed to resist water-based spills and stains.
Perform the solvent test to see if an oil stain will enter the granite. Simply dab some paint thinner on the countertop and leave for 5-l0 minutes. If, after you remove it, it doesn't darken the stone, neither will an oily staining agent such as cooking oil. If it does go dark, you should use a solvent-based sealer to protect against oil-based stains. In short, if the granite goes dark with either water or paint thinner, then seal. lf there is no color change alter testing with these two liquids, you do not really need a sealer on your granite countertop.
What is the best granite sealer for granite countertops? If the tests show the granite needs to be sealed, you can seal with a water-based penetrating sealer such as StoneTech® Professional BulletProof® or and solvent based penetrating sealer such as Impregnator Pro to prevent staining and reduce soiling. Impregnator Pro is the better sealer because it more easily penetrates the granite to fill the pores and fissures. Be sure to wipe off the excess after it has soaked in after a few minutes. Granite Sealer What is the best granite cleaner for granite countertops? If there are any oily stains already on the countertop, use Oil and Stain Remover to remove those before sealing. For heavy duty cleaning, use KlenzAll heavy duty alkaline cleaner and degreaser prior to sealing. Do not use after sealing because it is powerful enough to possibly remove some of the sealer.
For daily cleaning and to keep the sealer refreshed, use Revitalizer® Cleaner & Protector. Granite ranges from 6 to 8 on the MOH scale (a scale for determining the relative hardness of a mineral according to its resistance to scratching). The hardest mineral, at 10, is diamond. The softest mineral, at 1, is talc. Granite can be used for most any inside horizontal application including kitchen countertops, bathroom vanities, furniture tops, bar tops, thresholds, windowsills, etc. Granite has been extensively used as a dimension stone and as flooring tiles in public and commercial buildings and monuments. With increasing amounts of acid rain in parts of the world, granite has begun to supplant marble and limestone as a monument material, since it is much more durable and acid-resistant. Polished granite is also a popular choice for kitchen countertops due to its high durability and aesthetic qualities. The beauty, hardness and utility of granite makes it a highly desirable material for countertops in home design. In addition to its natural strength, granite is a beautiful stone that adds color and warmth to a room.
Though the cost to add granite countertops to any new kitchen or remodel can be quite high, they remain the premiere choice in many new and remodeled homes. The price of granite countertops ranges from $60 to $120 a square foot, which may or may not include the cost of installation. WARNING: Some stone marked and sold as granite are marble instead - always do an acid resistance test to confirm. Some granite is dyed! Not etched by most acids, but can be etched by some rust removers! Because granite is quite hard, it can be cleaned at pressures up to 1,450 PSI if the grout is in good condition. Features and Benefits of Granite Stone: Naturally beautiful with unique pattern and color. Heat-resistant. Scratch-resistant. Stain-, mold- and mildew-resistant with proper care and maintenance. Resistant to most acids, such as soft drinks and juices, as compared to marble. Care & Maintenance of Granite Countertops and Floors: Natural stone is very porous.
The best way to prevent stains is to treat the surface with a protective sealer. The sealer fills in the pores and repels spills on the surface, allowing you time to completely wipe it away. We recommend that you use care and maintenance products from StoneTech® Professional, a DuPont company, that are specially formulated to protect and enhance the beauty of your granite. Once the stone is sealed, clean up is usually easy. We recommend that you use StoneTech® Professional Revitalizer® Cleaner & Protector. Revitalizer® cleans with a gentle, pH-neutral formula that removes soils while reinforcing the original protective seal to help prevent future staining. Learn more about our care products. Although we usually think of stone as "hard," it is a porous material. Natural stone has varying degrees of porosity depending on the type of stone. If left unsealed, spills and everyday messes can easily penetrate the surface. The liquid eventually evaporates but the stain is left behind. Fluorochemical technology, incorporated into StoneTech® Professional BulletProof® and StoneTech® Professional Impregnator Pro, is the most advanced technology available, providing the ultimate shield against both water and oil-base stains. The micro-molecular formula actually bonds with the stone surface to deliver unsurpassed wear resistance and durability. And because the sealer reacts with the stone, you no longer have to worry about its porosity. It works on all types of stone, from ultra-porous Juparana Columbo to super-dense Absolute Black.
DO's and DON'Ts of Granite
DO clean up spills immediately to minimize damage to your stone.
DO use trivets or mats under hot dishes and cookware.
DO use place mats under china, ceramics, silver and other objects that can scratch your stone's surface.
DO use coasters under glasses, especially if they contain alcohol or citrus juices.
DO clean surfaces regularly with StoneTech® Professional Revitalizer® Cleaner & Protector.
DO use StoneTech® Professional BulletProof® Sealer to protect your stone.
DON'T wait to clean up spills on stone.
DON'T use cleaners that contain acid such as bathroom cleaners, grout cleaners or tub cleaners.
DON'T use vinegar, bleach, ammonia or other general-purpose cleaners.
DON'T use abrasive cleaners such as dry cleansers or soft cleansers.
DON'T use alkaline cleaners not specifically formulated for stone.
DON'T use scouring powders and abrasives because they will scratch the surface.
DO dust mop floors frequently
DO clean surfaces with mild detergent or stone soap
DO thoroughly rinse and dry the surface after washing
DO blot up spills immediately
DO protect floor surfaces with non-slip mats or area rugs and countertop surfaces with coasters, trivets or placemats
DON'T use vinegar, lemon juice or other cleaners containing acids on marble, limestone, travertine or onyx surfaces
DON'T use cleaners that contain acid such as bathroom cleaners, grout cleaners or tub and tile cleaners
DON'T use abrasive cleaners such as dry cleansers or soft cleansers
If stains do occur, a stain remover may be required. Whereas, a cleaner will wash off surface dirt, a stain remover such as a poultice will actually act to draw out deep-seated dirt and stains from the stone's pores. Several applications of a stain remover may be required for difficult stains, and darker marbles should be tested to make sure that the stain remover will not bleach the stone. For recurring problems, and/or a very deep stain, a professional stone fabricator should be contacted. Approved stain removers are available at retail stores or at your local tile and stone dealer.
Blot the spill with a paper towel immediately. Don't wipe the area, it will spread the spill. Flush the area with plain water and mild soap and rinse several times. Dry the area thoroughly with a soft cloth. Repeat as necessary. If the stain remains, refer to the question on stain removal.
In the bath or other wet areas, soap scum can be minimized by using a squeegee after each use. To remove soap scum, use an approved non-acidic soap scum remover available at retail stores or at your local tile and stone dealer.
Clean stone surfaces with a few drops of neutral PH stone cleaner available at retail stores or at your local tile and stone dealer, or a mild liquid dishwashing detergent and warm water. Use a clean rag mop on floors and a soft cloth for other surfaces for best results. Too much cleaner or soap may leave a film and cause streaks.
Do not use products that contain lemon, vinegar or other acids on marble or limestone. Rinse the surface thoroughly after washing with the soap solution and dry with a soft cloth. Change the rinse water frequently. Do not use scouring powders or creams; these products contain abrasives that may scratch the surface.
A sealer cures as a film on the stone surface. Since the material is actually covering the stone, the appearance of the stone surface may be altered by the application of this type of product. This material will provide somewhat of a sacrificial layer over the stone, and will absorb most of the wear on the countertop. Since the sealer is softer than the stone, normal use of the countertop will result in abrasion of the sealer surface and dictate reapplication to maintain the original luster of the surface. A properly applied topical sealer will normally reduce, although not eliminate, the vulnerability of calcareous stones to attack from mildly acidic solutions.
General Precautions. When any surface protection product is used, care must be taken to read and follow the Manufacturer's written instructions accurately. This will provide the greatest benefit from the application and will guarantee safe handling of the product.
Most stones are porous and readily absorb liquids and moisture. Materials like limestone and sandstone are extremely absorbent, whereas granites and serpentine (green marble) are denser, but will still absorb liquids that are allowed to remain in contact with them for extended periods of time. The use of a sealer will help prevent staining in most situations. Even a sealed surface can stain if left in contact with a staining agent for a long period of time.
Therefore, all spills should be wiped up as soon as possible, and coasters or napkins should be set when serving food or drinks on a stone bar, table, or counter top. Soft drinks, coffee, tea, and fruit juices contain mild acids and can etch the polished surface of a stone and stain quite rapidly. These should be cleaned off immediately with mild soap and warm water.
Cleanability
Granite ranked #1 in cleanability when compared to six other countertop surfaces including stainless steel (based on a 1999 study by the Hospitality Institute of Technology and Management).
Marble and granite have the same level of cleanability as engineered (based on a 2006 study by the Hospitality Institute of Technology and Management).
Price
Natural stone is competitively priced with quartz surface products and often priced lower.
Maintenance
Natural stone is low maintenance often only requiring warm water, mild dishwashing liquid and a soft cloth to maintain its beauty.
Many varieties of natural stone do not need to be sealed, although many are for customer peace of mind.
Radon
Granite does not emit dangerous levels of radon (based on technical paper by Dr. Donald Langmiur, PhD, Colorado School for Mines in 1995, confirming that consumers do not have to worry about radon exposure stemming from natural stone in their home). Click Here for More Info
Individuality
Stone is a product of nature and has its own unique qualities that distinguish it from quartz surface materials. The wonderful character that is offered by vein patterns, color variations, and other design characteristics of stone should be taken into consideration when selecting the perfect stone for your project. Discuss these characteristics with your natural stone supplier.
Genuine Stone is truly The Natural Choice!
Use coasters under all glasses, particularly those containing alcohol or citrus juices. Many common foods and drinks contain acids that will etch or dull the surface of many stones. Do not place hot items directly on the stone surface. Use trivets or mats under hot dishes and placemats under china, ceramics, silver or other objects that can scratch the surface.