4 Tips For Protecting Granite Countertops From Kids
Posted on: 28 May 2015
When you live with children, you tend to make decisions based on what will be best for their needs, safety, and potential destructiveness. Your kids should certainly be kept in mind when you are choosing materials for a bathroom or kitchen remodel, particularly the material for one of the most noticeable and functional parts of the room: your countertops. It is absolutely possible to have both children and beautiful countertops under one roof; the trick is finding a kid-friendly material. One of your best options is granite. Granite is extremely durable and is resistant to common kitchen and bathroom wear and tear, such as chips and heat damage. It is also relatively easy to maintain.
Despite the many benefits of granite, it is still wise to take extra precautions with your counters when you live with young family members. Here are four tips for keeping your countertops in good condition.
Use Sealer if Needed
For an added measure of protection for your granite, you can use a sealer and reapply it periodically. Not all counters require a sealer, however. When choosing your granite, ask about its absorbency. There is a lot to absorb when it comes to kids (especially once they start learning to prepare food), so you may be well-served to apply sealer to a more porous granite.
Clean Spills Immediately
Though sealer slows the staining process, it does not make your counters immune. Spills should be cleaned up as quickly as possible before they make their way into the pores of the granite. Make sure that your children are aware of this and that they have easy access to rags and paper towels.
Avoid Adding Extra Weight
As soon as you select your new countertops, introduce your kids to a new rule: Never ever sit, stand, or hang on the counters, especially areas that extend out and are not supported by cupboards underneath. This is as much for the safety of your children as it is for your counters. Though a break is unlikely, it is best not to take chances.
Learn the Right Way To Clean and Disinfect
One of the challenges of starting your children on household chores is making sure they learn and remember how to clean the different parts of your home. An incorrect use of a cleaning spray or a rough rubbing technique can bring about lasting damage. For kids who are on kitchen or bathroom duty, it is important that they know how to clean granite. This means that you need to first take the time to research and understand proper methods. Though there are many safe ways to wipe down and sanitize counters, there are some things that should absolutely be avoided, such as more acidic cleaners like vinegar. In many cases, a simple wash with soapy water and a rag will do.
If properly cared for and protected, your counters will be a beautiful feature in your home for many years to come. Of course, accidents may still happen, but the decision to install granite greatly increases the chances that your countertops will not only survive the childhood and teenage years of your kids, but come out without showing its age.
Talk with a professional from a business like All Marble Granite & Tile Imports Inc to learn about your granite options.
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