Texas Countertops Inc. (TCI)

Granite Countertops

The new granite in your home is extremely beautiful, durable, and easy to keep looking that way if certain guidelines are followed. The requirements of caring for a granite countertop are simple and include good judgment on the part of the homeowner.

Care, Cleaning, & Maintenance

General Care

In general, all that is required to maintain the appearance of your polished granite is to wash it frequently with lukewarm clean water then wipe with clean, soft cloths of cotton-flannel and allow to thoroughly air dry. Final cleaning may be done using denatured alcohol (rubbing alcohol) and clean water mixed at ratio of 50/50 in a spray bottle. Simply spray this mixture on the top and wipe with clean, soft cloths of cotton-flannel. This will help eliminate any soap buildup and/or streaking.

Surface and penetrating sealers are preventive measures that provide extra protection to the stone. Following these nominal care and cleaning procedures should ensure that your stone would remain beautiful for many years to come

Stain Removal

Surface stains can often be removed by cleaning with an appropriate cleaning product or household chemical. Identifying the type of stain is the key to removing it. Look for color, shape, and environmental factors that could be causing the staining. For help in identifying type of stain and for removal techniques, please refer to the following suggestions.

Cleaning

General: Abrasive Cleaners should NOT be used under any circumstances. If it is necessary to use a cleaner, use a neutral (pH-7) non-fat, mild detergent without additives or fragrances.

Surface Spots

Most surface spots can be removed by first scraping the area with a single edged razor blade followed by buffing with dry 0000 steel wool.

Staining

A sealer should be applied to your granite countertop at time of installation. This sealer will need to be reapplied every 2-5 years depending on the type of sealer, the frequency of cleaning, and the cleaners used. There is nothing inherent in the stone that will cause stains. Stains are always from exterior causes and usually are organic, oil, or rust related. Identifying the cause is the key to removing it.