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The most misunderstood thing about natural stone is how to care for it so that it lasts longer. Natural stone like granite will be used as a countertop. What will dictate the maintenance is the type of stone that is bought. No two stones are alike and therefore no two stones will be as porous as the next as is a stone's hardness. General statements have misled a lot of people about what it is they need to do to make sure their stones are as beautiful and last as long as they should.

Use of Natural Stone and Granite Countertops

In general, natural stones like marble and granite are hard and heat resistant, making them great for kitchen countertops with marble popularly used in other rooms and in other applications like floors and bathroom countertop.

Most granite is sealed and therefore resists water and stains from forming. To check how vulnerable the granite countertop you have bought will be to water damage and staining, you can test a small corner with water. If the test corner becomes dark when it becomes wet, then it will easily stain if not sealed.

Daily Care of your Granite Countertop

To clean a granite surface, you need to use a gentle, non-abrasive cleaner. Car wax has been recommended by some manufacturers as a good daily sealer that will keep the surface from dulling with daily use as well. To avoid cracks, scratches and chips you also need to be mindful of what the countertop is used for and how much weight is regarded as safe. Excessive weight may damage the surface, so you need to be mindful of what you put on your countertops.

If you think of your countertops as you car's surface, that you want to keep looking shiny new and protected at all time. You will keep it clean and won't let things bang or scratch the surface. Kitchen countertops could turn out to be the most expensive part of a new or remodelled kitchen. It is important to take care of your countertops. You don't have to stand on it and use it as an elevated top if you need to change a light fixture. If you won't let anyone walk on top of your car, you would not let anyone walk on top of your car. Use a step ladder to change a light fixture and don't abuse your countertops. If you take care of your granite countertop for what it is meant for then it will last for a long time and you can enjoy how it looks and enjoy using it for a long time.