When you first had your granite countertops installed in your kitchen, you loved how beautiful they were. Over the past few years, you have used your granite countertops consistently to prepare meals or do other projects on them. Recently, you have noticed that your perfect granite countertops have developed a haze on them. But you’re not exactly sure what to do to remove this haze and get them back to the beautiful countertops you once had.
Countertop restoration services will revive your stone countertops in no time.
What is this haze on your countertops, and how can you get them back to their original luster? A professional stone restoration company is always the best solution and can also offer you some useful DIY tips in the meantime. Keep reading to find out why it happens and what you can do about it.
What Is The “Cloudy” Film on Your Countertops?
Granite countertops can withstand a lot of wear and tear over the years. As a matter of fact, granite is one of the most durable natural stones on the market. Unfortunately, granite doesn’t stand a chance against etching, which is the cloudy film that develops on your countertops.
If you’re not sure how to clean your countertops properly, this may be causing the problem. It also may be caused by the types of food you are preparing on your countertops. As a rule of thumb, it is best to avoid allowing acidic foods to come in contact with your granite countertops. These foods include lemons, coffee, and tomatoes.
However, food may not be the only thing causing etched granite. You may also be using a type of cleaner with acidic or abrasive properties that may be causing your granite countertops to become cloudy.
Another way your granite countertops may develop a cloudy film is by leaving water on them for a long time. Sometimes the condensation on soda cans or other drinks may form acidic rings on your granite countertops. You may not always see the condensation developing on the granite because the water is clear, but this could create a cloudy film on certain parts of your granite.
In addition, the tap water itself in your home that you use to clean with could be acidic. For instance, if you live in a home with hard water, the minerals from the hard water may be creating a cloudy film on your granite countertops over time.
How To Deal With This Issue Before It Becomes an Issue
You may be wondering, “how do I fix this problem? ” Well, one way is to try a proactive approach. This means that you become aware of all the things that etch your granite countertops and try to avoid allowing them to come in contact with the granite countertops.
For instance, as mentioned before, acidic foods or water that come in contact with granite countertops can cause itching. Therefore, it is a good idea to avoid using search items on your granite surface. Instead, it would be a good idea to use a cutting board to prevent these foods from coming in contact with your granite countertops.
When it comes to beverages such as coffee, it’s good to clean the coffee spill up as soon as possible to keep it from etching the stone. Additionally, when placing drinks on the countertop, it’s a good idea to use a coaster instead of putting the beverage directly onto the surface.
Another way to avoid this issue is to make sure that the products you are using don’t have acidic or abrasive elements. Unfortunately, when it comes to granite countertops, you shouldn’t use many common household cleaners. Instead, you will have to purchase cleaning products specifically made for granite countertops.
These cleaning products should not have acidic or abrasive elements in them. However, as a precaution, it is a good idea to check the ingredients to ensure that it doesn’t have something in it that could cause your granite countertops to etch.
One more thing that you might want to keep in mind is that hard water coming from your TAP may be causing this issue. Hard water it’s not only problematic for your granite countertops. It can also cause problems with your pipes, leave hard water stains on your dishes in the dishwasher, cause issues with your washing machine, and even create skin problems.
So, addressing your hard water problem not only helps minimize etching your granite countertops but can do a great deal of good in other areas of your home. Most homeowners fix their hard water problems by installing a water softening or filtration system.
Dealing With This Problem After the Damage is Done
If you cannot proactively prevent the cloudy buildup on your granite countertops, don’t worry. There are ways that you can fix the issue. One way to get rid of the cloudy residue is to use a baking soda paste. Another option is to use a commercial granite polish and a buffing pad to remove the haze.
However, if you fear that you may cause more damage by trying to fix the problem yourself, one final option is to call out the experts. A stone restoration company will restore your etched granite and even provide you with tips on keeping it looking its best in the future.
Is your granite countertop dull, and do you want it restored to its original luster? The stone and tile restoration experts at Restore-A-Floor in Brighton can help by polishing your granite countertops and making them look new again. We work with several stones, including granite, marble, travertine, limestone and more. Using a specialized technique, we restore the beauty of your natural stone countertops and surfaces so you’re able to love it for years to come.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment for countertop restoration, stone floor restoration, tile cleaning, grout repair and so much more! Free Estimates