| 2008-4-18 Granite tiles are very hard and durable compared to other types of tiles you can use for your home. No matter where you have installed granite tiles, they are sure to serve you for a very long time. But to further guarantee their endurance, you must take care of them very well. Here, we will be discussing the rather simple ways of how to clean granite tile in your home.
Because of their inherent durability, maintaining clean granite tiles is not that hard at all. If you have a granite countertop in your kitchen, just make sure you clean it after each time you cook. Wet a soft cloth and use that to apply dishwashing soap on the countertop, and voila! - you have clean granite tiles instantly.
There is one thing you have to know about granite tiles, though. Even though the rock itself is very hard and resistant to scratching, granite tiles are covered in a kind of sealant. This sealant give the granite tiles their shine and protects them from getting stained.
Acids are damaging to the sealant, and there are actually many common household chemicals that are acidic, such as cleaners, acidic solutions, hairspray, toothpaste, and perfumes. Acids can also be found in certain foods like orange juice, coffee, vinegar, and a lot more. It is vital to clean granite tiles right away when these kinds of substances are spilled onto the surface.
This is best done by employing the use of a sponge to soak in the offending substance first. Do not wipe it right away, as the spreading of the acid might aggravate the situation. Also, if there are tiny granules in the spilled substance, take extra care in removing them as well, to avoid grazing the sealant.
When wiping down your granite tiles, try to avoid using the acidic detergents or cleaners. Instead of ending up with clean granite tiles, you will just be helping in weakening the granite's protective sealant. Instead, use those cleaners that have a neutral pH balance. There are also certain cleaners specifically designed for granite tiles. It may be more difficult to use these, though.
Even when you are certain that you have clean granite tiles all the time, and even if the sealant looks fine to you, it is advisable to reapply a coat of sealant about twice a year. When your granite tiles are installed in an area where there is much spillage going on, then you would have to reapply sealant more often. The frequency really depends on where your granite tiles are installed and how they are being used.
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