How to Protect Your Stone Countertops This Holiday Season
Family gatherings, delicious food and beautiful decorations. That can only mean one thing, it’s the holiday season! While most homeowners enjoy hosting family and friends alike, those of us who are protective of our stone countertops may feel anxiety. The last thing you want is to see your beautify stone countertops with a stain, physical damage or heat damage following a holiday gathering or party.
The good news is, with a little preventative maintenance and care, you can keep your stone countertops safe and protected throughout the holiday season!
Seal Your Countertops
First and foremost, it’s integral to the quality and longevity of your countertops that they are properly sealed. While some countertops come pre-sealed, you may need to seal yours yourself if that is not the case.
Which Countertops Need to Be Sealed?
Marble
Quartz
Granite
Sealing your countertops can help to extend their lifespan by keeping them protected, especially during busier times of the year! How often you need to reseal your countertops can depend on the kind of stone and how well they are taken care of.
Once your countertops are sealed, it’s important to maintain a regular cleaning and care schedule.The products you use to clean your countertops and how often you clean them may depend on the kind of stone.
Before sealing your countertops, we suggest first checking in with the instructions from your manufacturer and reviewing all warranty information. This will help to ensure that everything is done by the book and help to protect your investment!
Clean Spills Immediately
Uh oh, has someone spilled a drink?
Don’t delay, clean up spills as soon as possible. The longer that food and liquid sits on your countertop, the more likely it will be that they seep into the stone and stain it. This is especially true with drinks such as coffee and red wine.
Use a paper towel to wipe up the spill, then clean the area with a damp microfiber or cotton cloth. Keep cleaning products handy at all times, in case you aren’t around to help clean up the spill.
Avoid Damage
There are many things that you can do to protect your stone countertops and help prevent damage. Have your guests use coasters to avoid drink rings or spilled liquids. We suggest placing them out so that they are easily accessible. This also encourages your guests to use the coasters, without being prompted.
Another way to avoid damage is using heat-resistant pads. These handy kitchen essentials are great for pots and pans, along with casserole dishes, crockpots and more!
Although this one is a given, it must be said - always use a cutting board when preparing food. Sharp knives can leave etches on your stone countertops, often which cannot be repaired.
Lastly, it may be wise to simply let your guests know what they can do to help maintain the quality and integrity of your countertops. Especially if a friend or family member plans to be in the kitchen with you to help prepare food or drinks.
Hire a Professional
In the case that your countertops did succumb to damage during a holiday gathering, you may need assistance from a professional. Having an expert come to your home may be your best solution, as they have years of experience and can better inspect the damaged area, providing you with the best solution possible.