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Can I Use Lemon On Granite Countertops?

 

soild surface countertops

Granite countertops are among the most popular materials for kitchen renovations. Since the distinctive surface has excellent durability you must be wondering whether you can use lemon on it, right?

You shouldn’t because lemon is corrosive and can etch the surfaces. The same way you should avoid using lemon on granite is the same way you should avoid using vinegar and ammonia on the surfaces.

You also should avoid using bleach to clean your surfaces. Although bleach can cure stains on sealed granite, cleaning the surfaces with a softer touch is advisable to avoid damaging your stone.

A basic daily cleaning with a granite-safe cleaner would suffice because sealed granite is already quite resistant to microorganisms. Clean your counters once a day using a paper towel or lint-free cloth and granite cleanser.

Other best practices

Besides avoiding cleaning your countertops using harsh chemicals, you should do several other things to keep your granite surfaces in top shape. These things include:

Clean the surfaces as frequently as possible

Mistakes are bound to occur, and spills happen.

When this happens, you should clean up spills as soon as they occur, whether small water stains or larger ones like coffee or wine. You should note that you shouldn’t care whether the countertops are sealed or not. It doesn’t matter. You should move with haste and get rid of the spills as soon as they happen.

You should note that your countertops may discolor in the areas where the sealant has broken down if you haven’t sealed them recently.

Dab spills with a paper towel rather than wiping them up for optimal results. After that, use water to rinse, then a cloth to dry.

Protect the surfaces from heat.

So, is it safe to place hot pans on granite worktops? Occasionally, you must put down a pan or two in a busy kitchen. Even though granite worktops can tolerate some heat, it’s not a good idea to push the material’s tolerance by frequently setting a hot pan on them.

Although granite is relatively durable, frequent heat exposure can leave hot pan stains on the surface.

To prevent heat damage on your counter, swiftly grab a buffer such as table mats or rubber, fabric, and wooden coasters instead of setting a pan or other hot object straight on it.

It could take an extra moment or two, but it’s far less expensive than replacing the countertops completely after they are irreparably damaged.

Don’t cut directly on the counters.

Cutting directly on the counter will probably not damage it, but it will dull your knives. Also, cutting raw meat and vegetables together is unsafe because the germs from the raw meat can spread to the veggies, which might not be cooked to a temperature high enough to destroy the bacteria.

You should always use a cutting board to safeguard your family’s safety and the counter’s finish and keep your blades sharp.

Never ignore liquids

You might think you have tough countertops, so you don’t need to worry when liquids spill on your surfaces. Unfortunately, you shouldn’t do this.

Granite is not porous; however, spills that remain on the surface for a long time might leave stains. Even standing water can produce a dark patch on the surface. Granite counters can also get stains from red wine, coffee, or citrus juices, which should be cleaned up once.

Although tempting, setting ornamental oil bottles on your counter can cause damage.

Oil tends to pool on the surface and flow down the container. The counter may become discolored as a result of this.

Keep any oils in the cabinet and clean up spills right away.

Keep acids away from the countertops.

When it comes to things that shouldn’t be on granite countertops, acids are among the top items to keep off of them.

Acidic solutions, meals, drinks, and even coffee and milk should always have a barrier between them and your countertops to prevent damage to the sealant.

Make sure to wipe up spills immediately to prevent these toxins from causing long-term damage to your granite.

Don’t sit on the countertops.

Granite has a strong, long-lasting surface, but it can’t support a lot of weight. This means that when you sit at the counters, chances are that you will break it. If you’re wondering if sitting on granite counters is wise, the answer is no.

Countertops are not designed with a plywood backing to support a human-sized weight, and the additional pressure might cause cracks in your stone. You don’t want this, do you?

Even though it might not happen right away, sitting—or standing—on your surface will eventually cause irreversible harm.

Many people sit on the countertops while waiting for the food to cook. Instead of sitting on the counters, you should have a seat in the kitchen where you sit as you prepare the meals.

Seal the countertops

Regular granite counter sealing helps shield your surfaces from damage and stains caused by stain-treating agents like bleach. You can seal your counters in approximately fifteen minutes with the correct product and technique.

After thoroughly washing your granite, use a granite sealer in three-foot portions. Using a fresh cloth, quickly wipe the sealer onto the countertop before polishing the surface until it dries. For optimal protection, repeat the procedure two or three times.

Parting shot

Since lemon includes calcite, it can be extremely harmful to granite. Due to this, avoid using cleaners containing lemon extract on your granite surface and use caution when utilizing lemon in your cooking.

Scrubbing cleaners should not be used on granite since they can erode the seal and expose the stone.

You should use only warm water and mild soap to clean granite. Ensure you thoroughly rinse the soap off the granite kitchen countertops NC to avoid developing a buildup that will make your counter appear unappealing.

Granite Countertop Color Options

If you are considering installing granite countertops in your home, you might be wondering which are the best colors to go for, right? Well, there are many of them, with the common ones being:

Black

You can’t go wrong with black granite if you want a bold and classic look. Granite has come a long way. It used to be brown and spotted, but now it looks like a cool black slate.

The black color makes your countertops feel more interesting and up-to-date. 

If you are considering installing this granite, you should note that many types of black granite exist. Some black granite looks almost like lava from a volcano, which can bring a lot of nature into a space and make a home feel like it’s part of nature. 

Dramatic veining

If the word “subtle” isn’t in your vocabulary, you probably love all the bold surfaces on the market right now. The good news is that this dramatic trend also applies to granite. 

If you are into stones that are a little more interesting and less “safe,” you should go for granite with a little dramatic veining. The countertops will be a little more daring than some subtle stones, but they still look fantastic and won’t go out of style with the rest of the house.

 Thick veins and big swirls will undoubtedly get people’s attention, and with the right slab of granite, you can get this look on a smaller budget. 

While the veins will give your kitchen an exciting look, you should note that you can easily go overboard, so ensure that a professional does the installation work. 

Green

Green has been the most popular color in design for years, and that’s not going to change any time soon. 

In fact, people’s love for all things green is only getting stronger, and it’s even making its way to bold countertop finishes.

 Green granite is coming back, but in a different way than in the 1980s and early 1990s.

Stones with many veins or exciting patterns are making a statement in the kitchen in a more high-end way. So if you want a stone that will make your island or backsplash stand out, green granite is the way to go. 

Neutral tones

If you are more conservative, you should go for countertops with a neutral tone. Neutral colors will always look good, especially in the kitchen. 

When buying, choose a neutral-colored granite slab for your countertop to make the soft color scheme last. 

You can go for both light and dark and off-white, as they are classics that will always stay in style. 

Matte finishes

Just like marble and quartzite, granite can have many different finishes, many of which can completely change how the stone looks and how appealing it is. 

Consider getting a honed or matte finish for your granite if you want it to look up-to-date. This look makes a surface with a low sheen that looks natural and classic and lets the beauty of the stone’s texture and variations show through.

Choosing the right color isn’t enough.

While the color you choose for your countertops is important to the look of your kitchen, it’s not the only thing you should consider. 

An important factor to consider is the countertop installation. As a rule of thumb, you should ensure that your countertops are installed by experienced granite companies NC that know what they are doing. The contractors should help with the installation and choose the right slab for your kitchen. 

You also need to consider the maintenance of the countertops. 

When it comes to granite, one of the things that people like most is how easy it is to take care of. Like most natural stones, granite is porous and must be sealed occasionally to keep stains from getting into it. 

You should do this during the installation process and again every six months, depending on how much you use the countertops.

After that, granite is easy to care for. When the countertop needs to be cleaned, just wipe it down with water and mild dish soap. 

You can also use a stone cleaner if the surface needs extra care. 

4 Things That Will Destroy Your Granite Countertops

Did you know that your granite countertops can be destroyed even by the most mundane things? Here are some of the things that can wreak havoc:

Raw meat

As much as it appears harmless, raw meat can be highly harmful to your countertops. The harm comes when the fluids from the meat seep into the granite layers.

Here bacteria and other microbes grow and not only give your countertops an ugly look, but also easily give you food poisoning.

The situation is even worse when you decide to chop the meat on your countertops. As much as granite appears tough, it’s not immune to knife damage. This means that when you decide to chop the meat directly on the surfaces, you are bound to damage your precious countertops.

Don’t make it a habit to place your raw meat directly on the countertops to protect your surfaces. When you accidentally do it, move with haste to clean and disinfect the surfaces.

As you use disinfectants, be cautious, as you can easily cause more harm than good. As a rule of thumb, don’t use vinegar or bleach solutions as they have been shown to discolor the countertops. In other cases, they have been shown to cause extensive wear and tear.

To protect your surfaces, don’t cut directly on them. Instead, always have a chopping board on hand.

Hot pans

The other thing that will destroy your countertops is a hot pan. As much as granite appears tough, it’s not fireproof.

You might get away with placing hot pans on your countertops a couple of times, but when you repeatedly do it, you stand, causing significant damage to the surfaces.

It’s normal to have accidental slips and place the hot pans on your surfaces, but to stay on the safe side, don’t place hot pans or any other hot item on your surfaces. The right way to go about it is always to have trivets or hot pads on your surfaces.

If you don’t have these, always let the pans and hot pots cool completely before you place them on the countertops.

Food

Yes, you read that right. Food can be harmful to your countertops. A classic example is a red wine. As much as it makes you feel relaxed and happy, red wine is acidic and can be extremely harmful to the countertops when you let them sit for a long time.

The acids in the wine etch the countertop surfaces, degrading the seal and exposing the vulnerable stone underneath. This not only gives your countertops an ugly look but also makes your countertops develop stains that are hard to remove.

To protect your countertops and keep them in perfect shape, ensure that you wipe all the spills as soon as they happen. As mentioned above, don’t use harsh liquids such as vinegar and others as they might cause more problems than were originally there.

Children

You must have visited a friend and found them bathing their child in the kitchen sink. While this looks fun, don’t try it in your kitchen.

This is because doing it puts too much pressure on the countertop sink, putting it at risk of getting damaged.

As much as the sink in your kitchen appears tough, it’s not designed to handle too much weight. This means that placing the baby in the sink increases the chances of it getting damaged.

Regardless of how happy you want to make the baby, don’t bathe them in the sink—use your regular bathing area for this.

The same way you shouldn’t use the kitchen sink for bathing your child is the same way you shouldn’t sit or stand on your countertops.

Most homeowners are guilty of this. They will sit on their countertops while waiting for the food to cook. Others will stand on the surfaces as they reach the top shelf or replace the bulbs.

To protect your granite kitchen countertops Durham, don’t sit or stand on them. Have a chair to sit on while in the kitchen. It’s also wise to have a ladder to step on when looking to replace the bulb or reach the top shelf.

Which Marble Is Best For Kitchen Countertops?

Did you know that you do not have to stick to the old boring and monotonous kitchen countertops? Most homeowners choose marble as their preferred countertops because of its beauty. 

They add a touch of sophistication and luxury to any kitchen; hence it is no surprise why they are a top choice.

While it is a top choice, it is best to select the best marble fit for your kitchen. They come in different varieties and colors, so you need to make the right decision. So, which marble is best for kitchen countertops?

Keep reading to find out which type of marble goes best with your kitchen countertops.

Carrara

This is the most popular of all types of marble and with good reason. It originates from Italy and some from Tuscany. 

It is available in white, gray, and blue-gray finishes. If you are going for a minimalist kitchen with neutral colors, you should install this type of marble for your kitchen countertops.

Some slabs may have a hint of drama if you feel a bit adventurous but still want to stay safe.

Statuary

This marble has some similarities to Carrara and comes from the Carrara region. It also comes in white to give your countertops a pristine and clean look. The only difference is that it has a semi-translucent look that adds drama to the veiny patterns.

It is also glossier and much brighter, so if your kitchen has a lot of light, this will be a great addition to bounce the light into the room.

Calacatta

Another popular type of marble but rare. Since it is hard to find, it is more expensive than Carrara and Statuary. It has a striking resemblance to Carrara that the two are often confused.

It originates from Italy and mostly comes in white with gray veins. If you look closely, you will see that its background is in pure white, the dark grey veins that set it apart from other types of marble.

Its grey or gold veins make it more dramatic than the other types of marbles. If you are going for a top-notch luxury look for your countertops, this is the type of marble you should invest in.

Nero Marquina marble

Most people do not believe that black marble exists since marble typically comes in white color. They may think that any black marble is an imitation and shy away from installing it on their kitchen countertops because of quality issues.

The Nero Marquina is real marble and comes in color black. It comes from Spain and is one of the types of marble with the highest quality. It has a deep black color with white veins. In some slabs, the white veins tend to be so rich they overwhelm the black color.

It is widely available, so you don’t have to worry about denting your pockets if this is the type of marble you wish to install in your kitchen countertops. 

Black is a rich and elegant color that will go with any theme in your kitchen.

Crema Marfil marble

This type of marble is best suited for people who are not afraid of colors. This is because it’s colored and has irregular vein patterns. 

It complements a dark-toned kitchen and allows homeowners to play around with colors.

Bottom Line

Marble comes in different colors, so consider the theme of your kitchen before settling on one. You can go for neutral colors and play around with your kitchen cabinets to contrast the colors. If you are bold, you can go for the Crema Marfil marble countertops NC and step out of your comfort zone.