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Granite countertops in your kitchen can change the look of the kitchen. It can convert an old and dull kitchen to an attractive one. But to retain the elegance of the kitchen, you need to take care of the granite surface. You should know that the natural stone needs frequent cleaning. To retain the shine of granite, you should maintain it regularly. For the maintenance of granite countertops, you need to follow some simple tips.

The first thing that you need to do is cleaning the surface when a stain occurs on the surface. Unless you do this, the stains would penetrate inside the surface, which can cause severe damage to the stone. Another thing that you can do is, get the worktops cleaned with mild soap or a neutral cleaner. Use smooth cleaning pad for rubbing the surface else there would be marks on the surface.

To remove the chemicals and extra dirt from the granite surfaces, get the surfaces rinsed with warm water and then pat the surface dry. This should be done with clean cloth to avoid marks. If there is a stain on the surface then you can get it cleaned with a mixture of dish washing liquid and flour. The mixture should be applied on stain and left for some time. A plastic layer should be placed on the paste. This should be left for a fortnight. Then, the paste should be scraped with wooden spatula and the granite tile should be left with fresh water.

In case of an oily stain, it might be a bit difficult to remove it. You can use solution of hydrogen peroxide to remove the oily stains on the granite countertops. A solution with ammonia liquid can also be effective for the cleaning of kitchen countertops. This can also be effective on stains caused by grease or milk. Fruit juice, tea and coffee can also stain a granite surface. Mixture of ammonia and hydrogen peroxide can be helpful in the removal of these stains. The surface should be rinsed with water and dried after the completion of this process.

Some stains on granite surfaces are extremely difficult to be removed. To remove a difficult stain, you need to use a granite cleaner that is effective on that particular type of stain. You can also appoint a professional for the cleaning job and give a new look to the tiles of your kitchen. If you have a granite countertop or worktop in your kitchen then you should get it resealed after every couple of years.

By cleaning the granite surfaces regularly you can maintain the beauty of the surface for a several years. Worktops of granite, in these days are used in offices as well as residences. The natural stone granite is preferred than the other building materials for their elegance and durability. Though it is expensive than other building materials but the natural qualities of granite has always retained its popularity. Granite worktops can be cleaned easily if a person follows the simple tips.

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How often you need to repair your carpet depends on you.  There are instances such as burns, crushing, fading, furniture, bleeding, sprouting, and carpet beetles where you’ll want to take action.  Most of the time, you can finish a repair job without needing a professional, although there will be times when
you will need professional assistance.

Burns
Burns occur when a cigarette butt or flame comes in contact with the carpet.  If the burn is small, the burnt fibers of the carpet can be cut out with scissors.  If the burn is large, you’ll need to replace the area with a new piece of carpet.You can do this yourself if you know how, or have an installer do it.

Fuzzing
This occurs when loose fibers come out on the edges of the carpet.  To fix this, simply cut the fibers that are sticking out.

Furniture marks
Heavy furniture can result in indentations being left on the carpet.  To get rid of these nasty marks, you should sprinkle your carpet with some club soda, place a towel over the area, then iron it.  Do this a couple of times and you will see your carpet begin to re-fluff.

Shading, crushing, and matting
A lot of traffic on the surface of the carpet will cause it to flatten, which may give some types of carpet a shaded appearance.  If this happens, you should brush and vacuum the area.  If you can't fix the problem, you may need to hire a professional, as this can sometimes be very tricky.

Carpet beetles
The best way to deal with carpet beetles is with a strong vacuum suction.  You should always avoid spillage and keep the surface of the carpet clean of food.The carpet beetles are quite annoying, as they feed on wool, hair, hides, fur, grain, seeds, and flour.  If the carpet is infested bad, you professional  leaner is the way to go.

Bleeding or crocking
Bleeding of the carpet is the loss or transfer of the color from one section to another.  Good underlayments can help to prevent bleeding to a certain  egree.  Crocking on the other hand is the loss of the carpets color when it is rubbed. To avoid this, simply avoid getting your carpet wet.

A carpet installation job that is one right can help you reduce your repair worries to quite an amazing degree.You can always call a pro as well, as their services will often end up being much cheaper than if you were to go ahead and replace the entire carpet.

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Now that you have your new countertop, you’ll want to keep it locking as great as it did when it was first installed. Fortunately, granite is a strong product, second only to diamonds in strength, and needs just a few pointers for care.

Prevention is the best first step in maintaining your counter. Always use coasters for liquids. Use trivets or hot mats for hot plates or pans. Use a cutting board. If you are going to put used dishes on the counter, make sure they have been rinsed off first. Avoid putting foods directly on the counter. Stains occur when a liquid cannot leave the granite without the help of chemicals. So, take care the oils from food are not likely to be absorbed into the counter. – That pizza box could even be a problem if there is oil seeping through it.

When you do have spills, wipe them up immediately. Granite is most prone to stains from liquids containing oil or acid. So be as thorough as you can with cleaning up spills from those kinds of liquids.

Always use a soft rag or regular (non-abrasive) sponge. Most of the time all you’ll need is hot water. You can also use dishwashing liquid but be sure to rinse thoroughly to prevent a soapy build up.

Weekly, you can use a stone cleaner. Never use scouring pads or cleansers that have abrasives or bleach. Also, avoid “all purpose” cleaners with disinfectants unless they state they are made especially for granite. Also, avoid products with lemon, orange, vinegar, or citrus since the acid can dull the finish. With the popularity of granite it should not be difficult to find a stone cleaner especially designed for granite cleansing.

If you do have a stain, don’t despair; most can be eliminated easily.

For regular kitchen stains: Mix one cup of flour with two tablespoons of dishwashing liquid and apply the paste to the stain. Cover it with plastic wrap and leave overnight. The next day, gently scrape off the paste, using a wooden spoon or other (non-sharp) wooden utensil. Then rinse thoroughly.

For stains from oil, grease, or milk: Follow the same steps but substitute hydrogen peroxide for the dishwashing liquid.

For stains from coffee, tea, fruit, or fruit juice: rub gently with a mixture of 12% hydrogen peroxide and ammonia.

For marker stains: acetone or lacquer thinner will work well on dark granite and hydrogen peroxide will work for light granite.

Eventually, your countertop will need to be resealed. The sealant is what protects granite from stains and discoloration. Like all rocks, it is naturally porous and needs the sealer to prevent it from absorbing liquids. No matter how gently you handle your counter, sooner or later the sealant will begin to wear off. This could be anytime between one and five years, depending on the type of granite and its usage. Your installation company will be able to give you details about your particular product and recommendations about when to schedule resealing.

In the unlikely event you do end up with a chip or scratch to your counter, do not make this a DIY project. Contact your installation company for repairs or for a referral for a source for repairs.

With very little effort, you will be able to maintain your countertop’s like new condition for its lifetime.

Technorati Tags: Abrasives, Bleach, Coasters, Countertop, Cutting Board, Disinfectants, Flour, granite, granite care, granite cleaning, Hot Plates, Hot Water, kitchen countertop care, Liquids, Pizza Box, Purpose Cleaners, Scouring Pads, Soft Rag, Sponge, Stains, Vinegar, Wooden Spoon, Wooden Utensil

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Granite maintenance is not time consuming nor does it need to be difficult. Following a few basic steps of regular care and knowing how to effectively deal with stains and other common granite problems will keep countertops and vanities in prime condition. Below is a break down of what to do on a daily, weekly, and yearly basis. Plus, we offer solutions for common granite countertop problems.

Daily Granite Maintenance

Wash your granite countertops on a day-to-day basis. Granite is somewhat porous and can absorb spills. So don’t leave that juice that splashed onto the counter until tomorrow. Things like coffee and tea, peanut butter and butter are common food products that may end up on the countertop and then seep into the stone. Granite may also hold water stains so it’s a good idea to use coasters. While stains are not impossible to remove, it is much simpler to keep the granite clean to begin with. So a little daily granite maintenance involving mild dishwashing detergent and water can prevent the hassle of undoing stains later.

Weekly Granite Maintenance

Once a week or more, wipe down your counters with a stone cleaner. It doesn’t take very long but it will keep the countertop protected, leaving it extra clean and sparkling. Again, some relatively simple granite maintenance that will go a long way in preserving your granite countertop for years to come.

Yearly Granite Maintenance

Some recommend sealing your granite countertop once a year. But once every few years may be enough for proper granite maintenance. Either way, sealing your countertop protects the granite by creating a barrier. It will help prevent staining and keep the original sheen alive.

Dealing With Countertop Stains

Even with a strict regimen of granite care and consistently wiping up spills, stains may still happen. Though granite is somewhat porous, stains can be removed with easy home remedies.

For most food stains, some recommend mixing 1 cup of flour with 1-2 tablespoons of dishwashing liquid (the same mild detergent you use to clean with). Apply the paste on top of the stain and cover with plastic wrap, leaving it overnight. If it’s an oil stain, substitute hydrogen peroxide for the dishwashing liquid. If it’s an ink stain, substitute nail polish remover (acetone) for the detergent. Never use vinegar, lemon juice, or ammonia on granite surfaces. These and other abrasive cleaning agents will damage the surface.

Dealing With Surface Pores

Your yearly granite maintenance may require more than a surface sealer at times. If you notice any pores in your granite countertop, apply a penetrating sealer instead to return the stone to its former glory.

Remember that granite is stone and in the end is not that delicate. Keeping on top of basic daily, weekly, and yearly cleaning and sealing should be enough in most cases. Taking a few preventative measures before problems arise will go a long way toward effective granite maintenance. A little knowledge will keep your investment shiny and healthy for decades to come.

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