Kitchens and bathrooms sell home. Entryways create lasting first impressions. Fireplaces become Christmastime gathering places. And what do all of these places have in common in many homes today? Stonework – granite countertops, tile floors, stone fireplace hearths. Stonework is a major selling point in homes today, and that means it is very important to care for all those different surfaces with the same care you use with high-end furniture and carpet.
Right off the bat, we are going to warn you to not use ammonia! It can remove the shiny sealer on top of stonework like tile, marble, and granite.
The good news is, if you have used ammonia, PCS Niagara can refinish the damaged surfaces for you and have them looking as good as new in no time.
So here is one “no-no” when it comes to stone. Now, let’s talk about six things you can do to care for the stone in your home in between professional cleanings and resealing by PCS Niagara.
It’s as easy as it sounds – just take care of these surfaces. For a granite countertop, be sure to wipe it down daily and dry thoroughly. Properly sealed stones should not let any moisture seep into the surface. If that is happening, it could be time for your counters to be resealed. This tip also applies to your hard floors and tiled showers. Mold and mildew building up in your shower will cause the grout to deteriorate much quicker than gently cleaning the grout and tile regularly. Same goes for your floors – dirt can work its way in to the grout if not swept or vacuumed regularly. That dirt can break down the grout overtime, causing tiles to loosen.
Yes, your granite can most certainly handle a hot pan. However, don’t expose your counters to long term temperature extremes. While you might take for granted having a durable kitchen surface to work, always still use cutting boards to protect your fingers, your counter, and even keep your knife blades sharper, longer. And it’s good to just stay in the habit of putting a hot pad or trivet under a hot dish or pot.
Since all these surfaces are sealed, or should be sealed, use a dry cloth to wipe up spills quickly. If there is a stain, be sure to point it out during your next professional cleaning.
Every stone reacts differently to different chemicals and cleaners. That means the cleaner you planned to use for the tile in your shower could quickly damage the finish on your marble floors in your entryway – or your granite counters. Professional cleaners like PCS Niagara have crews that know every kind of stone out there, and know what is safe – and not safe – to use in every situation. Paying for professional cleaning and resealing from time to time could save you the high cost of replacement in the long run because your surfaces will last longer.
The bottom line of caring for these surfaces is really just using common sense. The more care you take with these surfaces, the longer your investment will last.
