Granite countertops are known for their ability to add elegance and sophistication to modern kitchens and bathrooms. The stone’s natural beauty, durability, and versatility make it a popular choice for homeowners looking for low-maintenance countertops. 

However, no countertop is completely maintenance-free — proper care is essential to preserve granite’s timeless appeal. In this helpful guide, we’ll explore the intricacies of granite countertop cleaning and maintenance to ensure your investment retains its beauty for years to come.

Understanding Granite

Granite is a natural metamorphic stone formed over millions of years through intense pressure and heat beneath the earth’s surface. Thanks to its unique composition, granite is incredibly durable and resistant to heat, stains, and scratches, making it perfect for countertops. 

However, despite its strength, granite is not immune to damage and requires regular care to keep it in top condition.

Daily Countertop Cleaning

Daily countertop cleaning and maintenance are key to preserving your granite’s beauty. Start by wiping down your countertops with a soft sponge or cloth and some mild dish soap to remove dirt, grime, and bacteria. Gently scrub the surface, rinse thoroughly with clean water, and dry with a lint-free towel to avoid water spots. Avoid using harsh chemical cleaners or abrasive scouring pads, which can dull the finish and cause etching on the surface. 

Stain Removal

Despite your best efforts, your granite countertops may occasionally experience stains. In the event that a stain occurs, it’s crucial to take prompt action to prevent the stain from setting. Stain removal is different from regular countertop cleaning. 

For water-based stains, like wine or coffee, blot the area with a mixture of mild dish soap and water. Oil-based stains like grease or cooking oil can be removed with a paste made of baking soda and water. Let the paste sit for a few minutes to absorb the oil before rinsing the countertops with clean water. Consider using a specially formulated granite cleaner or seeking professional assistance for particularly stubborn stains.

Sealing

In addition to countertop cleaning, one of the most essential aspects of granite maintenance is sealing. Granite is naturally porous—if left unprotected, it can absorb liquids. To safeguard against moisture damage and staining, it’s critical to seal your countertops regularly. High-quality granite sealers create a protective barrier that repels liquids, preventing them from penetrating the stone. Depending on usage and exposure to moisture, you may need to reseal your granite every one to three years.

Avoiding Damage

While granite is known for its durability, it’s not indestructible. Along with countertop cleaning and sealing, it’s important to avoid damage in the first place. By implementing simple precautions, you can prolong the lifespan of your granite countertops and keep them looking flawless for years to come.

Avoid placing hot pots or pans directly on the surface of your countertops — the extreme heat can cause thermal shock, leading to cracks and discoloration. When chopping or slicing, make sure you use a cutting board to prevent scratches and always place coasters under glasses and bottles to prevent water rings. Additionally, be mindful of exposing your granite countertops to acidic substances like lemon juice, vinegar, and citrus-based cleaners, as they can erode the protective sealant over time.

Professional Maintenance

While routine countertop cleaning and proper care go a long way in preserving your granite countertops, professional maintenance is also incredibly beneficial. Professional countertop cleaning and sealing services can rejuvenate the granite’s appearance, remove stubborn stains, and ensure the longevity of your investment. Consider scheduling professional maintenance every few years to keep your countertops in optimal condition.

Custom Countertops by Out of the Woods

Granite countertops are an excellent addition to your kitchen, bathroom, office, laundry room, or business, providing both elegance and functionality. By following these simple tips for countertop care and cleaning, you can enjoy your granite countertops’ timeless beauty for years to come. Remember that prevention is key, so be sure to implement daily maintenance routines, reseal your countertops as needed, and address stains as soon as possible.

For all your countertop needs, turn to the experts at Out of the Woods. We specialize in creating customized solutions for homes and businesses throughout Northern Utah. From selecting the right materials to installing the finished product, our team of expert designers and artisans will ensure quality and reliability in each step of the process.

If you’re ready to upgrade to gorgeous granite countertops or have questions about countertop cleaning or maintenance, contact Out of the Woods today.

Have you ever looked at your countertops and wondered, How are countertops made? How did this slab of stone make its way from the ground to my home? Well, wonder no more! Keep reading to discover how countertops are made and the journey granite, quartz, quartzite, and marble take from mining to installation.

Granite

Granite is an incredibly popular material for countertops. Because it’s an igneous rock, it forms from magma that slowly cools and solidifies underground. Granite is composed mostly of coarse-grained quartz and feldspar. It’s durable, scratch resistant, and non-porous, making it easy to clean.

Before granite can become a countertop, it’s first extracted in massive slabs from quarries. These slabs are then meticulously cut into more manageable, thin pieces using diamond-tipped saws. After that, the surface of the granite is polished using slab-polishing machines, which utilize progressively finer diamond polishing pads to create a smooth surface and bring out the stone’s natural beauty.

After polishing, the slabs are put into bundles of six or seven, then placed into large shipping containers and sent to fabricators to be finished and installed in homes.

Quartz

Quartz is a crystalline mineral made of silica. Because of its crystalline structure, it can’t be cut into slabs like other types of stone. Instead, it’s ground up and combined with polymers, pigments, resin, and other minerals. After it’s all combined, the mixture has a texture similar to wet sand. 

Next, the quartz mixture is poured into molds to shape it into slabs. Countertops are meant to be hard and nonporous, so the mixture must be compressed with high levels of pressure so all the materials bond together. To further solidify the slabs and increase their hardness, heat is applied. Finally, the slabs are polished to create a smooth, shiny surface.

Quartzite

Despite their similar names, quartz and quartzite are very different stones. Quartzite is a metamorphic rock formed by applying heat and pressure to natural quartz sandstone. This heat and pressure come from tectonic activity deep within the earth, which squeezes and pushes rocks, causing the grains to recrystallize and fuse together. This creates a durable, elegant stone that can be cut into slabs and polished to be used for countertops.

Quartzite occurs in many different colors but is most commonly a white or gray color. It can also be other colors depending on other minerals mixed in with the sandstone; for example, iron oxide causes it to become a shade of red or pink.

Marble

Like quartzite, marble is a metamorphic rock formed by geological processes. When limestone is heated, the calcite crystals within it grow and recrystallize, turning the limestone into marble. Pure calcite marble is white, but veins of other colors can occur if impurities are present.

Marble is a classic, timeless stone that has been used in buildings and art for thousands of years. From the Taj Mahal to Michelangelo’s sculptures, marble is highly valued for its versatility, beauty, and strength. 

However, marble does not split easily into sheets, so it must be mined very carefully. It may shatter if explosives are used to split it, so instead, miners use channeling machines to cut grooves in the rock, then drive wedges into the openings to split it.

The Installation Process

Professional installers take into account the unique characteristics of each type of stone and adjust their techniques accordingly to ensure the best end result.

Whatever material you choose for your countertops, professional installers will first precisely measure your space to ensure your countertops will fit seamlessly, then cut the materials to size and finish the edges by rounding or beveling them. When installing countertops in your home, they pay special attention to corners and seams to create a flawless appearance. Special adhesive materials are used to secure everything in place, ensuring long-lasting stability.

Our Countertops Are Made the Right Way

At Out of the Woods, our countertops are made to last. Our professional craftsmen and experienced installers can help you choose the right materials and finishes for the countertops in your home or business and create custom solutions for any space. 

Our expert team members are proud to offer a wide variety of services to help you create the perfect countertops and cabinets for any space, from kitchens to bathrooms to offices to laundry rooms. If you have questions about how countertops are made and installed, don’t hesitate to reach out. We can’t wait to create high-quality, custom products for you!