Natural stone is an investment. Not only just of money, but of care over time. If you take good care of it, granite lasts a lifetime. Develop a regular maintenance plan and your granite countertops will remain strong and lustrous for decades.

DAILY CARE

It's the little things that count. Your daily habits could mean the difference between a dulled countertop and a bright shiny one years from now.

When it comes to cleaning here's what you need to know.

DO's:

• DO wipe counters off frequently to remove debris
• DO blot up spills as quickly as possible
• DO wash with stone soap or pH neutral cleaner
• DO dry counters thoroughly after cleaning spills

DON'T's:

• DON'T use harsh cleansers (bathroom cleaners or grout cleaners
• DON'T use abrasive substances to clean counters
• DON'T use vinegar or lemon juice to clean

GET INTO THE HABIT OF

• Using coasters under drinks—even water left on your countertop can seep into the porous stone and leave behind a stain
• Using trivets or mats under anything that could potentially scratch the surface
• Keeping alcohol away from counters—alcohol is not pH neutral and will mark your counter
• Never placing hot items right on the stone surface

OCCASIONAL DEEP CLEANING

If you’ve been busy lately and your countertops have been the last thing on your mind, you may need to do a little extra cleaning to bring them back up to snuff. You can also do some countertop deep cleaning a couple times per year when you give the whole house an overhaul or you are preparing to reseal your countertop.

• Select a heavy-duty stone cleaner that will degrease the counter and remove surface sealants (heavy-duty stone cleaners are specially formulated to deep clean stone without damaging it
• Mix the cleaner with water according to manufacturer directions and apply to the stone
• Allow the cleaner to sit on the stone for the amount of time recommended by manufacturer
• Agitate the cleaner on the countertop with a sponge or soft bristle brush
• Mop up the soap and water then dry thoroughly
• Polish or buff your countertops to a brilliant shine with a soft cloth

STAIN REMOVAL

Accidents happen. Try a regular and deep cleaning first. Then, if you find your countertops in need of some extra care, try this:

• Select a stone poultice (fine, non-acidic clay powered agent)
• Mix the poultice to the consistency of peanut butter
• Wet the stained area with water
• Put a ¼ to ½ inch layer of poultice on the stain
• Cover with plastic and tape the edges to seal it to the countertop
• Let the poultice dry for 24 hours then remove the plastic and let dry for another 24 hours
• Gently remove the poultice, rinse with water and dry with a soft cloth
• Always consult the manufacturer directions before use

WARNING: Poultice may dull the surface of your granite. If this occurs, use a stone polishing agent to restore its shine