How often you re-polish your granite depends entirely on its appearance. Most granite surfaces require corrective polishing every five to 15 years, depending on the traffic or use they receive. Of course, freshly polished granite must be resealed to protect it from stains and other harmful elements. Your granite countertops should retain their beauty for decades as long as you take proper care of them.
In addition to cleaning them daily after preparing meals, they need to be thoroughly cleaned regularly and polished when they start to lose their luster. Just like wax does on the outside of your car, granite sealant acts as a protective layer. It's a physical and chemical barrier against the daily changes and abuse that countertops suffer. Regular application of sealant to granite will help extend its life.
And you don't even have to do it very often. Applying the sealant every 1 to 2 years is considered a healthy interval. Most granite countertops come from the manufacturer already sealed, but for adequate protection you need to reseal them every 12 to 18 months. Fortunately, cleaning granite countertops is a relatively simple process, as long as you have the right tools.
Rock Doctor's full line of products for polishing, sealing and cleaning granite countertops is available at Lowe's Home Improvement and participating True Value, Do it Best, Home Depot and Ace Hardware stores. Using a product specially formulated to clean granite countertops is the best way to protect them from stains and spills. So far, you've done a great job polishing your granite countertop yourself or the professionals just finished the task. Granite countertops are more than just a beautiful and functional addition to your kitchen, they're an investment.
While some homeowners may use soap and water on their countertops, using a product specially formulated to clean granite countertops and other natural stone surfaces is recommended. Sometimes, manufacturers seal granite countertops for life during the production process to improve their durability. Granite Selection is a manufacturer and seller of natural stone countertops for kitchens and bathrooms in the Chicago metropolitan area. According to cleaning professionals, polishing and sealing granite and other natural stone countertops requires less time and effort than washing the car or vacuuming the carpets.
When you're done cleaning your granite countertops, simply apply a thin layer of granite polish and wipe it over the stone with a soft cloth. If you clean and polish granite countertops and they become dull and scratched, you may need to apply a new coat of sealant. In fact, today, a home doesn't seem complete without beautiful, durable granite or stone countertops in the kitchen. You should seal your marble at least once a year to prevent acid liquids and heat from damaging it, but you may not need to treat granite countertops.
If your granite countertops incorporate the sealant without leaving marks or discolored areas, you can continue with the next step. Some modern homes have countertops made of granite materials designed to incorporate polymer resins and other additives to protect surfaces from stains.
